Nearly 60,000 runners and wheelchair participants hit the road in the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April. Canada Water welcomed them all, from winners Sabastian Sawe (who smashed both the world record and the two-hour mark), double champion Tigst Assefa and multiple wheelchair champions Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner, to those running for good causes in the most impractical of running attire. Costumes this year included a tuxedo, a T-Rex and an actual fridge.
With several bands providing a soundtrack, a community cheer zone and the new sustainability activation Woodland Way, Canada Water offered the perfect location to soak up the atmosphere of this global sporting event. Miles 8-11 of the route wound through the Rotherhithe peninsula, making it the perfect spot for spectators to cheer on their runner twice – and there was plenty going on to keep them entertained before and after.
Decaf Nation offered hot drinks
Wetting the whistles
Watching all those people running a marathon is thirsty work. Fortunately, Thirsty Barista were serving up coffees, hot drinks and pastries to keep people fuelled all morning, while their partners in crime Thirsty Farrier were there to help out with cocktails and other drinks. Both could be found on the southern dock side by Corner Corner and Dock X, along with Decaf Nation, who were giving away coffee samples. For a holiday vibe, spectators could grab a coconut with a straw from Kocotreat, who were also offering Indian fusion cuisine.
At the end of the race, runners who completed the 26.2 miles could show their medal at Vagabond in Canada Water to claim a free glass of their house Pet Nat – who doesn’t love a freebie?
Pretzels from Pretzel Man
Refuelling
There was no need to bring a packed lunch, as there were plenty of options for spectators to grab a bite to eat. In addition to Corner Corner’s Marathon Pit Stop, and Pizza1889 serving up traditional Italian pizza, Fig & Fleur were flipping pancakes on the race route behind Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, alongside Naked Chips and Loaded Dogs. On the southern dockside were fish & chips from Howe & Co, gelato from the Icicle Bicycle and the chance to get your taste buds in a twist with pretzel ice cream or pretzel hot dogs from The Pretzel Man.
Ice cream from the Icicle Bicycle
Getting into the swing
For anyone feeling left out by the running (but not enough to get their trainers on to join in) a slightly less intense sporting experience was available at PodGolf’s virtual golf pods outside Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, where they could practise their swing with a pro golfer.
Money matters
On the eastern dock side by DockX, Focusivity offered Money & Mind check-ups designed to help people boost their health and wealth.
Thirsty Farrier served up cocktails
Embracing nature
Woodland Way was a brand-new addition to the Marathon route for 2026, dedicated to celebrating the natural world that is such an important part of Canada Water. As they passed along Salter Road, participants entered a stretch of the route lined with native British Trees, with a chalk art floor display and calming nature sounds adding to the natural vibes. The space was designed in collaboration with charity WWF and event partner Trees not Tees, who offered participants the option to plant a tree to mark their achievement instead of receiving a finishers’ t-shirt.
