I’ve run 15 marathons, and I still get pre-race jitters — here are the 5 things that actually help

A photo of people completing a marathon.

From first-timers to elites, everyone gets nervous ahead of running a marathon and the main difference between those who are experienced and those who are new is that the old-hands usually have a strategy for dealing with their pre-race jitters.

I’m running the London Marathon for the ninth time this year, and it will be my 16th marathon in total. I certainly still get butterflies in my stomach in the days leading up to the race.