Event review: Kingston Breakfast Run

April 13, 2024

On Sunday 3 April, Sportsister’s Stephanie Tait (below right) completed the Lidl Kingston Breakfast Run as part of her London Marathon training – 20.1 miles with an 8am start! Read her honest account and hear about her London Marathon preparations.

The race begins in the historic Kingston-upon-Thames market square, quickly crossing the river to take you along a pretty, flat three miles with the Thames on one side and Richmond Park on the other – so far, so ideal. The course is great – completely flat and sweetened with water stations, SIS drinks and energy gels and a host of cheery volunteers.

But 20.1 miles is far. The course loops round so that when you hit 12 miles you’re back at the start with another lap to go. This was when it started to get tough for me. Those first three miles didn’t seem so ideal the second time round and after 15 miles I found the rest of the run really, really difficult. It was a beautiful sunny day but the warm spring weather made me thirsty and worsened the mind games that come with marathon training.

However, an official run gives you a finish line! The week before I had set out to run 18 miles on my own, but after I forgot my energy sweets and my dog stole a sandwich from a picnicking child (if the mother of said child is reading this – I’m sorry - but namecalling isn’t nice!) I persuaded myself that I wasn’t up for it and only managed 15km.

With official races, the perks of a guided route, drinks stations and supporters help in pushing you past each mile marker to the finish line. I think the looped course also helped psychologically as I knew exactly what to expect for those last few miles.

These were brutal, but with lots of encouragement from my sister who’ll be running the marathon with me, I got there (after 3 hours and 46 minutes!) and was met by a crowd of cheering supporters and volunteers. The renowned goodie bag and memento mug were welcome rewards.

The event also has 8.2 and 16.2 mile options for anyone after a shorter distance – both nice step-ups from the classic 10kms and half marathons. Falling three weeks before the London Marathon, the 20.1 miler is perfect timing for a final push before tapering begins. As much as I struggled, others will have breezed round and the day was brilliantly organised.

For more information on the Kingston Breakfast Run and to register your interest for next year, click here.

The next day I arranged to have a sports massage from Urban Massage – a new massage company that is similar to Uber, but instead of a taxi, a masseuse comes to you!. You can book your date, time and even choose your masseuse (all have short bios to read). This was great for recovery and I have already booked another for the day after the marathon.

Marathon nerves have kicked in but I cannot wait to cross that final finish line. Good luck to anyone running!

Stephanie Tait, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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Event review: Kingston Breakfast Run

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