James Hwang's Staging Area

As many have mentioned, London is so crowded that it makes chasing a fast time (PR/PB) challenging (weaving around others, inability to run tangents, slowing at aid stations, etc). That being said, the course is largely flat and fast and the crowd support is like no other (more energy/support than Berlin or Chicago or Boston). I had high expectations for Tower Bridge and despite that, running over it still exceeded my expectations (it’s as moving as running down Boylston but in a different way). Definitely put your name on your bib as the rows and rows of supporters want to call out your name and support you. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to run the London Marathon but this race also reinforced to me how expectations often need to be adjusted when running (crowded) Majors.

I ran LA in 2025 (the 40th Anniversary) and this year was definitely more challenging due to daylight savings time (spring forward/losing an hour of time/sleep the night before running a marathon) and the warm temps (giving runners an option to finish at mile 18). For the last 2 years, I have used LA as a long-run in preparation for Boston 2 Big Sur and Boston to London double and it definitely helped me both times. This year, I went out slower (due to the warm temps) and focused on running miles 20-26 hard/well. The downhills in the middle segments and the hills/elevation and out & back at the end were definitely helpful (physically and mentally) wrt preparing me for Boston and for London. Despite the time change and warmer weather, I still enjoyed running LA and look forward to doing so again in the coming years.

This was my 3rd year in a row and I am likely to keep running it until I can’t. Only downside is having to train/run over the summer in preparation for this World Major. Crowd support at Chicago is like no other! Food, culture, shopping, public transportation, etc of Chicago are all on point (and helps keep me coming back).

It’s helpful to be prepared for the early morning start (3:45 AM bus to the start line) and for potential cold/rainy conditions (reportedly the VIP’s have access to a heated tent with their own port o potties and drinks/eats). Only 6 days between Boston & Big Sur this year so it was hard to know what was left in my legs/what I had left to give (keep an open mind wrt pacing). Surprisingly, I may have performed better at Big Sur (largely b/c this was my 2nd go around at Big Sur and to help of pacers/running with pace group). Simply the most beautiful marathon I have run with rolling hills & some elevation (up to Hurricane Point). The race is well run (from the expo to the transport to the aid stations to the finish) and the Big Sur/Carmel/Monterey area is such a fun place to visit (with such tasty eats). Cannot recommend Boston 2 Big Sur enough and am hopeful I might have the opportunity to run them again in the future!!

Unisex shirt doesn’t fit anyone particularly well. Buses from finish line (Century City) to start (Dodgers Stadium) were many and easy to get on/off. Plenty of port-o-potties. Corrals were well organized. Course was great (rolling hills). Be prepared for out and back finish. Consider staying the entire day/Sunday post race and leaving on Monday (to celebrate/enjoy) and because the post race traffic/congestion in Century City is significant/challenging.

Berlin is as flat and fast as they say it is! Am very appreciative to have run the 50th Anniversary shortly after turning 50 myself. With over 50k runners/finishers, it was likely a bit more strained/crowded than usual/other years but it was still an amazing World Major experience– beautiful neighborhoods/scenery /landmarks and vocal crowd support/great bands/music along the way. Running through the Brandenburg gates is as epic a finish as there is (for me, it was as special as turning on to Boylston Street or finishing in Hayward Field). If you can get in, do it. The expo/crowds/etc are more than worth it.

CIM lived up to my expectations– challenging (from it’s rolling hills) and from it being a runner’s race (great vibe, energy, and swag). Buses to start line were organized, plenty of port-o-potties, strong crowd support, lots of pace groups, and finish line area was fun. Sacramento is sneaky fun too (plenty of eats and breweries). I look forward to running CIM again!