Your Complete Guide to the 2026 London Marathon: Must-Have Gear from Running Shoes to Energy Gels and Sunscreen!

IF THERE is one thing I learned when I ran the 2025 London Marathon, it is that there really are no shortcuts.

To train and prepare properly for a race of that length, you simply have to put in the miles… and miles… and miles… and miles.

The London Marathon is one of the world’s majorsCredit: Sportograf / Joshua Jones Sabastian Sawe won the event in 2025Credit: Getty The London Marathon starts at Blackheath and finishes on The MallCredit: London Marathon Events SunSport’s Joshua Jones ran the 2025 London Marathon in Asics NovablastsCredit: Joshua Jones This was his set-up for race dayCredit: Joshua Jones

And a good pair of trainers for your long runs and race day is an absolute essential.

But that is not all.

When I half-jokingly popped my name in the ballot along with a few pals back in 2024, little did I realise quite how much goes into getting to the start line – let alone the finish line.

What started as throwing on a football shirt, some shorts and whacking on a pair of my brother’s slightly-too-small trainers during the first Covid lockdown ended up becoming an all-encompassing obsession (sorry, Mrs J) I devoted myself to like a professional athlete.

And while I may not have quite kept pace with the elites, running the London Marathon was one of the best days of my life.

And I was able to properly enjoy it (well, almost all of it) thanks to getting the prep work done and kitting myself out with some of the essentials for a marathon.

So, here are some of the lessons I learnt along the way in my very own SunSport ultimate guide to the London Marathon – or whichever 26.2-mile race you’re bravely taking on.

SHOES

We’ll start at the bottom, physically.

There’s no two ways about it, you are going to need to invest in some quality running shoes – and ones that suit you and your running style well – because it’s not just about the 26 miles on race day but the hundreds put in over the weeks and months of training.

Plenty of running shops offer gait analysis to look at how you run – whether you overpronate when landing or not, your stride length and plenty of other metrics which can help determine which shoes may be your best bet.

There is also an overwhelming number of shoes available – from your regular everyday do-it-alls, your carbon-plate super racing shoes and the new hype of ‘super trainers’ in between.

One tip I heard and followed was to find a pair you enjoy, wear them for training then buy a fresher pair of the same trainers for your last few weeks of training and the race itself, maximising the newer foam and extra bounce as a result. Thank me later.

So, SunSport got its hands on – and its feet in – various pairs of trainers in recent weeks to road test and give some of our top picks.

SunSport recommends:

• Asics Novablast 5 – £135 (down to £110 on Sports Direct) – Great all-rounders perfect for any average runner, these were what I used for my marathon and LOVED them
• Asics GT-2000 14 – £140 (also reduced to as low as £82.50 on Sports Direct) – One of Asics’ most reliable shoes with the same energy-returning foam as the Novablast 5, but also designed with comfort and stability in mind.
• Asics Superblast 3 – £200 – The new ‘super trainer’ from Asics that will no doubt be spotted all over London on April 26, comes in ‘cobalt’, ‘seashell’ or white.
• Brooks Glycerin 23 – £165 – Superb all-round shoes, offering significant cushioning that ensures plush landings even after 20 miles.
• Brooks Glycerin Flex – £165 – Another great shoe for “luxurious landings” and flexibility that will support you all over, all the way around.
• On Cloudrunner 3 – £140 – Another stability shoe that puts support and comfort at the forefront of its design, while still having that responsiveness required for a late kick.
• Nike Vomero Plus – £155 – One of the best shoes out there. Bouncy and comfortable, but picking up the pace feels almost effortless, and these would act as a very good ‘one and done’ shoe.
• Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 – £250 – Not cheap but, with the help of carbon fibre technology, they do promise to “help you smash your personal best with ease”.
• Adidas Adizero EVO SL – reduced to £110 on Sports Direct – arguably the most popular trainer on the market right now, perfect for marathons or even to wear casually thanks to its fashionable design .

The Asics Superblast 3 are the new super trainers taking the running world by stormCredit: Asics The adidas Adizero EVO SLs are proving very popular – and not just for runsCredit: Adidas

CLOTHES

Right, that’s shoes sorted. Now time to think about what else to wear.

I opted for a basic Under Armour singlet vest (with my name printed on the front to get extra personal cheers from the brilliant crowd) and a pair of regular Castore sports shorts with zip pockets.

Both served me well and the shorts were an absolute game-changer to carry everything I needed with me (more on that later).

Some are happy with a running T-shirt, some prefer the sleeveless approach as it can be a bit cooler and airier – although the ultra-thin Under Armour Velociti Storm jacket is perfect for training in the rain.

SunSport recommends:

• Under Armour Velociti Pro Short Sleeve – £55 – it’s probably a good sign when you forget about the top you’re wearing because it’s so comfy and feels premium.
• Adidas Adizero Labrum Tank Top – £70 – a striking blue design based on the energy of community running and incredibly lightweight.
• Nike AeroSwift Short Sleeve Top – £36.50 on Sports Direct – comes in a variety of colours, some bold, some subtle, and feels delightful to run in.

Adidas’ Labrum Adizero tank top is a bold but brilliant designCredit: Adidas Joshua was kitted out to take on the epic challengeCredit: Sportograf / Joshua Jones

Either way, when things get sweaty and/or wet from the rain, nipple chafing and even bleeding is real – and it’s brutal.

I bought a packet of nipple plasters and wore them for all my long runs and on race day, though, and didn’t have any issues.

On the chafing front, get yourself a little tube of Lanacane anti-chafing gel and apply a bit wherever you find your skin rubs.

Probably the smartest decision I made for my marathon was to invest in some Runderwear anti-chafing boxers and anti-blister socks . The best.

The longer-length boxers were perfect go under the regular shorts – although some runners like the 2-in-1 design which combine shorts and a supportive liner built-in boxers, often with a phone pocket sleeve.

SunSport recommends:

• Brooks Dash 2-in-1 Shorts – £50 – a 4” liner underneath a 6” shell for the ultimate 2-in-1 combo, available in navy or black
• Runderwear boxers, briefs and socks – From £20 – A range of products designed to tackle at least two of the deadly sins – blisters and chaffing.
• Brooks Dash – £45 – the regular version without the underlayer
• Adidas Own The Run Shorts – from £18 for both 2-in-1 and regular versions – the Ronseal of running shorts, doing exactly what it says on the tin, simple and effective, top budget option
• Under Armour Velociti Pro Shorts – £45 – a more performance pair, super lightweight and comfy and a neat zip pocket at the back
• Lululemon Fast and Free – £78 – another 2-in-1 option with a hidden sleeve, gel pouch, pockets and even waistband loops to stash a top
• Stox Energy Socks – £44.99 – Compression socks to reduce fatigue and cramps on the big day) and the months before, with other clever tech to avoid blisters and soggy feet too.
• Fabletics ‘The Fundamental Shorts II’ – £64 – Lined shorts that promise ‘anti-stink’ tech and hiden pockets for your phone. Handy if you take a wrong turnm on race day and get lost.

The Under Armour Velociti Pro running shorts are centred around performanceCredit: Under Armour Anti-blister socks and anti-chafing underwear from Runderwear are an absolute mustCredit: Runderwear

What to wear before and after both the marathon itself and training runs is also worth considering.

Having a hoodie with pockets that you can keep your stuff in and slip into as you cool down post-exercise can be a massive help.

They can also look pretty good, even when exercise is the last thing on your mind.

SunSport recommends:

• Fabletics – The Go-To Hoodie (oversized) – £104 – Loose-fitting thanks to over-sized fit make it confy post-run, plus bonus of hidden zip for keeping valuables safe.
• Regatta Pro Hoodie – available now for £20 – Fantastic budget option, keeps it simple with a great cut and soft-touch fabric makes you want to keep it on, and on, and on.
• Dare 2B Ollie hoodie – Now £49 – High collar and blend of elastene in fabric makes it perfect for staying warm as you cool down on cooler days.

GELS & HYDRATION

The bottle of water and Jelly Babies approach may be the old tradition – but it’s probably not the best anymore thanks to the development of so many specialist fuelling options to give you those much-needed energy boosts when the going gets tough and fatigue sets in.

From gels to gummies to bars to drinks, there is plenty to choose from. My advice would be to buy a few different options and try them out on training runs to see which ones go down well… and which ones might give you the runs!

One thing is for sure, do not try anything new for the first time on race day – I’ve heard and seen (and smelt) horror stories. Trust me.

Find your one, stock up and stick to it.

For London 2025, it just so happened that the gels I liked the most were the Lucozade Sport energy gels, which were also the ones they handed out on the course – although I carried enough with me I didn’t take any from the stations (one for every 7km and a couple of spares just in case).

Precision Fuel & Hydration’s gels are – while on the dearer side – very easy on the stomach and they offer energy chews for those who don’t fancy an endless amount of gels.

Other brands to consider would be SiS, Maurten, TrueFeels, High5, Cadence and Styrkr.

I also used Bulk’s hydration drinks to get in carbohydrates and electrolytes and was happy to run with a water bottle – and topped up my liquids with Lucozade Sport isotonic drinks from course marshals and friends on the sidelines.

Bulk was also the place for my whey protein powder for shakes after runs and gym workouts.

SunSport recommends:

• Precision Fuel and Hydration gels and chews
• Maurten
• Bulk
• Science in Sport – easy to get hold of a small taster set

Precision Fuel gels are packed with carbs and are easy on the stomachCredit: Precision Hydration A record-breaking 56,640 finishers crossed the line in 2025Credit: Sportograf / Joshua Jones

TECHNOLOGY

Does your marathon even count if it’s not on Strava? Who knows…

But, seriously, a good watch is super handy for both training and race day to keep a track of how far you’ve run, pace, heart rate, cadence and more.

I used my Apple Watch SE I had anyway which worked fine (I also wore a cheap Casio as a back-up stopwatch) but if I was going to buy one now I would 100 per cent get a Garmin – they are the gold standard of fitness GPS smartwatches for a reason.

Super reliable, super accurate and a super battery.

The Forerunner range have something for everyone from newbies to seasoned marathon runners – but there are more high-end options for those who need (or want) a bit extra.

SunSport recommends:

• Garmin Forerunner 570 – Garmin’s mid-range option. Designed specifically for runners with a sleek, easy-to read display and a battery that last up to 10 days.
• Garmin Fenix 8 Pro – Top of the range. Includes built-in satellite for phone-free messaging. If you’re wearing this, you mean business.
• Coros Pace 4 GPS Watch – Strong contender for one of the best value running watches available, with accurate tracking and an excellent battery life among the standout features.

Garmin have a GPS running watch for every runner – from elites to newcomersCredit: Garmin

I personally opted against running with headphones – partly to take in the crowds, partly to save my watch battery – but, of course, plenty like to.

Just double check your race allows any headphones – sometimes they are banned and sometimes only bone conduction, open ear headphones are permitted for safety reasons.

Shokz are trusted by the top athletes and amateurs alike, with even marathon great Eliud Kipchoge having his very own OpenRun Pro 2 colourway.

There are plenty of other options too – including the unmovable Beats.

SunSport recommends:

• Shokz OpenRun – £130 – Bone-conducting headphones that are safest for runners and, with eight hours of battery life, will comfortably last a marathon.
• Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 – £179 – the workout essential you’ve been missing. Read .
• Beats Powerbeats Fit – £199 – Higher price but so secure – and sweat-resistant – that they’ll stay in no matter how hard you run.

The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the best bone conduction headphones on the marketCredit: Shokz Powerbeats Fit will stay in, no matter whatCredit: Beats by Dre

RECOVERY

Getting a sports massage before and after my marathon was a wonderful life choice.

As was getting hold of both a massage gun and a pair of Hyperice compression sleeves.

Those pieces of kit were very much appreciated after those long 30km-plus training runs, boosting recovery and cutting down on the dreaded DOMS with some home DIY work on the muscles.

Both are worthwhile investments if you want to elevate your recovery and be ready for the next easy run quicker – but that does not mean you can get away without an ice-cold bath after your long run.

Seriously, a cold bath can be painful to get in… but the legs hurt a whole lot more without it.

SunSport recommends:

• Pulsio Air massage gun – £69.99 – Sleek and travel-friendly while still packing a punch. This comes with four different attachment heads and really helps to relieve the dreaded DOMS.
• Hyperice Normatec Lower Legs – £329 – Compression sleeves designed to increase circulation to your calves and reduce pain and tension, which there’ll no doubt be plenty of when you cross the finish line after 26 miles!
• Aromatherapy Destress Muscle Gel – £42 – Infused with essential oils, you massage this into your skin and it eases muscle tension while giving a lavender aroma that helps refresh your body.
• TRX foam roller – from £17.95 – It can be brutal on sore muscles, like a good massage, but those sore legs will thank you for it the next day. Good for loosening up pre-race too.

Recovery has never been easier now with the new tech, including Pulsio’s Air massage gunCredit: Pulsio

ACCESSORIES

As I said, running a marathon requires a lot more than just a sports top, shorts and a pair of trainers.

We’ve highlighted the key things to prioritise – but don’t forget about accessories.

With lots of runners either doing or training for marathons over the summer months, that means a lot of hours spent out in the sunshine.

So please, please, please make sure you have some sunglasses and SPF protection.

I used a cheap pair of sporty sunglasses from Decathlon which served a purpose but there are plenty of specialist options.

SunSport recommends:

• SunGod Forty2s Sunglasses – from £110 – What all the pros are wearing. Lightweight, versatile and they don’t bounce when you’re wearing them either.
• Adidas Anemos Sunglasses – £136 – Lightweight and sophisticated design, suitable for a wide range of face shapes and sizes.
• Bliz Sunglasses – From £35 – Ranging from bargain options to pricier higher-end models, a variety of styles that work well… and look pretty darn good too.

The SunGod Forty2s are a cracking pair of sports sunglassesCredit: Sungod

As well as sunglasses, suncream is must – but your regular one used on the beach on holiday may not cut it when you’re sweating it out.

A good SPF lip balm is also important. If you’ve had sun burn on your lips, you know why. If you’ve not, count yourself lucky.

I used Premax’s SPF50 sport sunscreen and a Solait SPF30 lip balm – and cannot overstate how much I liked them both.

The suncream, in particular, dried quickly, lasted through four hours of sweating on a sweltering race day and, crucially, was not at all greasy. Happy days.

SunSport recommends:

• Premax SPF50 sunscreen – Water and sweat-resistant, with a non-greasy feel.
• Riemann P20 sun cream – High-performance, offering up to 10 hours of protection, so no need to top up halfway round! Available in both F30 and F50.
• Dussl Daily Protection Moisturiser SPF 50 – Naturally-derived skincare born from Scottish founders (yep, the irony isn’t lost on them!), designed to limit skin damage from UV exposure.

Premax’s sport sunscreen worked brilliantly for JoshuaCredit: Premax

A few other bits and bobs to bear in mind would be:

• Vaga or Runr cap – protect your head and keep cool with a proper running cap, Vaga and Runr have tons of options and colours to choose from
• Lights – if you are running in the dark, get hold of a nifty little light to be spotted easier
• Hydration vest – many marathon runners like to carry their drinks, gels, fuel, phone and waterproof in a running vest with Salomon, Decathlon and Silva all doing good options
• Belt – similarly, a running belt is a good in between option to avoid having to run with a vest if that’s not your vibe

Keep your head cool and protected – and fans spotting you easily – with this Runr capCredit: Runr

THE REST

I told you having zip pockets in my shorts was helpful and that is because I could store all my gels in there plus some Dextro tablets and a few Jelly Babies.

I also kept on me some blister plasters, regular plasters, tape, ibuprofen painkillers and the anti-chafing gel as emergency precautions.

Then in your bag for afterwards, throw in a drink or two – you may or may not get one when crossing the line so always good to have plenty.

Plus add in some foods you may be craving (yes, you absolutely deserve to gorge on sweets and chocolate bars), a full set of fresh clothes, a mini towel and a pair of sliders to let your sweaty and sore feet breathe again.

And whatever you do, cherish the occasion, take in the crowds and be proud of yourself for taking on the historic 26.2-mile run.

All the best!