If you've spectated the London Marathon before – or indeed any big city marathon – you'll know how stressful it can be trying to spot a runner you know on the course – especially if it's a loved one, who you've watched endure the rigours of marathon training in the months leading up to the race.
Thankfully, the Official TCS London Marathon App allows you to follow the live progress of multiple runners, so you'll know exactly where to stand on the course to spot them – and when to be there – so you can successfully cheer them on!
If you're wanting to track a runner this year – whether on the course or at home – it's worth downloading the London Marathon tracker app now. Download for iPhone here and here for Android. All participants in the race will be emailed their log-in details to enable them to share their details with their supporters.
You will need to download the new 2024 Official TCS London Marathon App, so if you have the 2023 version, delete it now.
How to use the London Marathon tracker
The London Marathon tracker app is very easy to use – within the tracking section, you simply search for a participant using either their name or race number and hit 'add' to add them to a list. You can track an unlimited number of participants – and that includes celebrities and elite athletes.
The app will notify you each time your tracked runners have a hit a 5km split and will give you their predicted finishing time, based on their current pace.
If your runner is carrying a phone, they may opt to share their actual live location (tracked via GPS instead of the chips worn by runners to calculate their location). Participants can allow up to three spectators to find their live location. This feature is also available for virtual participants, too. Followers of virtual participants will also be able to see their position tracked against the traditional London Marathon course.
The 2024 TCS London Marathon App includes Wayfinder for the first time, a feature to help users identify the exact time their tracked participants will reach specific landmarks along the route. Detailed information about each landmark will be provided, and if users select 'get directions,' Google or Apple Maps will open with directions from their current location to the landmark either on foot or by public transport.
The app also features a Belief Booster, which enables supporters to share encouraging messages for participants. A selection of messages will be displayed on a screen near the halfway point and at the LED gantry as participants cross the finish line in The Mall. All Belief Booster messages will also be emailed to the participants post event.
You can also scan your bib number, to reveal an inspirational message that will get you excited to take on your marathon.
The app can also support fundraising. Anyone using the app can help support fantastic charities directly. By following a particular participant, app users can donate safely and quickly via the linked Enthuse donation page.
Finally, you can also use the app to keep up-to-date with the elite leaderboard on the day and find out results.
How else can I spot and find participants?
To be extra sure to catch a glimpse of your runner, it's also worth noting down their predicted mile splits – if they're going for a certain time – to help you guesstimate when you might see them at certain points on the course.
Another handy tip is to look out for the pacer flags and use those as a gauge on general progress. If you know that someone is following the 3:45 pacer from the red start, then when you see the pacers with the 3:30 red flags, that's your cue to get to the barriers and start scanning the crowd because the next flag should be the one they're following.
Making yourself obvious to the runner is also a great way to make sure all that tracking pays off, so think big banners. Here are some race day sign ideas.
Your runner can help, too, by wearing something unique or bright – and letting you know their outfit in advance.
