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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Charlie Allenby

‘A buff is so versatile’: running essentials for your first marathon – and what you don’t need

Charlie Allenby running the London Marathon past Tower Bridge
Our writer (left) here for the long run at the 2025 London Marathon. Photograph: Sportograf

When you first start running, the marathon – all 26.2 miles of it – seems like an impossible distance. Whether you’ve taken the plunge at your local parkrun or got round your first 10k, the thought of anything longer probably feels like it’s beyond you.

But this running milestone is more achievable than you think. My first marathon was Brighton in 2018, and on crossing the line, I knew I’d been bitten by the bug. Three more marathons and three ultra-distance events later, I’m gearing up for number five in Berlin this September.

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