Written by George Major
Running the London Marathon is an unforgettable experience that you’ll want to celebrate. Here’s how to do it in style, while saving money with free food and drink offers for anyone taking part. It’s a long way to go to get a free lunch, but it’ll be so worth it!
Travel for free on marathon day
Anyone with a London Marathon race bib can use the Underground, Elizabeth Line, Overground, DLR and buses from 4.30am until 8pm on race day; don’t tap in or out, just show station staff your race bib. But if you’re coming from further afield, you may be able to travel for free, too.
C2C are giving free train travel to participants, both on the way to the start and on the way home. Just show your race number or finisher’s medal at the station and hope you can get a seat!
Southeastern is offering runners free travel to the start in Blackheath from London Bridge, Cannon Street, Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Victoria. Just show your race bib to the station staff and they’ll bleep you through the gate.
Replace those carbs post-race
You’ve just emptied the tank running 42.2km. You need pasta. Luckily for you, Pastaio is giving free plates of the good stuff away to anyone who shows up with a finisher’s medal on race day. The offer applies for most of the pasta dishes on their menu.
Maybe you’d prefer pizza? Franco Manca branches nationwide will serve you a free pizza from their spring/summer menu when you show them your medal on race day or on Monday 27 April.
The Real Greek are being extra-generous, too. Show up to any of their restaurants nationwide on Sunday 26 or Monday 27 April, flash them your medal, and you’ll get a free Greek Plate. Similarly, all SushiDog locations are offering free SushiDogs, Sushi Bowls or Sushi Salad to finishers on race day and London branches of Chipotle Mexican Grill are handing out free burritos, tacos, bowls and salads. Cool London salad bowl spot Atis are also giving away a free bowl for marathon heroes.
Keep the celebrations going with a complimentary chaat for medal holders at Vivek Singh’s Cinnamon Bazaar Covent Garden and Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea. Enjoy traditional Indian street food from Punjabi vegetable samosa to spiced green potato cake with chickpea vermicelli and chutney.
The offers continue all week, too. It’s Bagels in Primrose Hill are giving a cream cheese bagels away for the whole week after the marathon if you show them your medal.
Get your protein in with a free steak or burger
Heliot Steak House (which benefits from being within limping distance of the finish line, at the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square) will feed marathon finishers with a free Argentinian ribeye steak or their house burger on 21 and 22 April.
Similarly close to the finish line, Maxwells Bar & Grill will give anyone with a finisher’s medal a free signature smash burger. Also nearby, Boulevard Brasserie on Wellington Street in Covent Garden are offering a free Boulevard Burger and fries to finishers, and Palm Court Brasserie in Covent Garden are doing free steak and fries.
Gaucho, the Latin-American inspired restaurant is offering all London Marathon medal holders a free steak at any of their 11 London restaurants from race day until 29th of April; redeem a complimentary choice of steak from a selection of signature cuts including Sirloin, Ribeye, Rump or Fillet.
You can celebrate with a free burger from PJ’s Chelsea Brasserie in Chelsea & Old Compton Brasserie in Soho, plus all branches of Meatliquor are also offering a free burger to finishers on marathon day. Côte Brasserie are treating every finisher to a free burger and fries worth £17.50 when a fellow diner buys a main; simply show your medal.
Celebrate with a drink
Once you’ve got your medal, why not celebrate with Champagne? The Ivy has your back, show them your medal and you’ll get a free glass at any of their London locations. In the heart of Shoreditch, The Brush is rewarding runners with a well-earned pint or glass of bubbles post-marathon – settle in, soak up the atmosphere and raise a toast to your success. Alternatively, head to TOZI Battersea after the finish line for a complimentary pint or glass of bubbles, perfect for raising a toast.
Or head to the pub. Drop into any of Greene King’s 128 London pubs with your medal for a free drink, from a pint of Peroni Nastro Azzurro to an Aperol or Clean Blood Orange Spritz, or perhaps a glass of Mirabeau Classic Rosé. Medal holders can also enjoy a victory drink at The Lamb in Bloomsbury, with a complimentary pint of their choice or a small glass of house wine, or a free pint of Jubel at Bow Street Tavern in Covent Garden and Box Bar Piccadilly.
Three Cheers Pub Co. have nine South London pubs, and they’ll all be serving free beer for finishers on race day, as will Pretty Decent Beer taproms across east London and Mr Fogg’s Taverns at Soho, St Martin’s Lane, Fitzrovia and Liverpool Street. You can also pick up a free pint of Asahi at Market Place Food Hall in Vauxhaull or Leicester Square
You can also enjoy a draught pint of Camden Hells at Castle pubs across London; stop by favourites like The Gipsy Moth in Greenwich, The Sun Inn in Barnes, The White Horse in Parsons Green, or The Engineer in Primrose Hill to toast your achievement, or pair your free pint with some free hummus at Miznon Soho.
If you’re after something more restorative, just moments from Hyde Park Lanes of London is helping runners refuel with a revitalising Recovery Boost Smoothie. Fresh, vibrant and naturally energising, this well-earned blend combines banana for sustained energy, antioxidant-rich berries, hydrating coconut water, orange juice and Greek yoghurt, finished with a touch of honey.
Or just pamper yourself
Post race, you’re probably going to need a long bath. Lush stores on Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Victoria and Paddington stations will be giving away Lush’s new Marathon-exclusive Ouchy magnesium massage balm and The Good Hour shower jelly – inspired by the Lush Spa treatment of the same name — to marathon medal winners.
Or you could unwind in the pool… Brockwell Lido and North London Park Road Leisure Centre and Lido have free swimming sessions for marathoners – before and after the race. Just show them your confirmation of race entry on arrival. Alternatively you can stay dry and enjoy a free Thames sightseeing cruise with City Cruises for London Marathon runners showing their medal or registration.
Times and dates of these offers vary; check on individual websites for full details and any T&Cs.
Enjoy your marathon day!
This article first published in April 2025: last updated by Amanda David in April 2026.
