If you're not signed up to Sunday's Marathon and you happen to like running, then did you know you can visit the Expo at the Excel Centre for the four days leading up to the race? And it's free?
For the exhibitors, it's clearly one big wind-up. Watch Marathon entrants, brows knitted, anguish over the new products on offer:
"Do I buy the trainer that makes me run 47% faster*, or stick to my old pair of Asics that I know won't give me blisters and provides adequate pronation support?"
A valid question. You'll also catch the odd outburst of:
"You choose to tell me now that I should add more carbohydrates to my electrolytes?"
Fretful runners, here's the answer: stick only to what you know on Sunday. Next week, you'll have no choice but to run plenty of shorter distances, which happens to be perfect for trying out the new shoes/gels/shorts.
The Expo showcases the deeds of the many charities that Sunday's runners have chosen to support. It's also one big sale room for trainers, clothing, nutritional products, running holidays, medal display units, compression socks, head torches and hydration backpacks. You can get a massage, enter any number of prize draws, heckle the demonstration stage and indulge at the pasta kitchen, in case you already earned your carbs trekking to the Excel Centre in the first place.
Don't be put off by the registration desks and chip collection gates when you first enter. You will not have to sign yourself up to an unexpected 26 miles on Sunday - and quite frankly, it's not even possible to. A great many overseas marathons choose to advertise at the Expo, so you may well find yourself wholeheartedly agreeing to run in the Helsinki Icebreaker Run* or the Himalayan Ultramarathon**.
I had a great time sampling the numerous added-protein bulk-up bars on different stands and I'm feeling chunkier already. Well, I'll try anything with the word 'chocolate' in the title. Oh, and if you like lycra there's lots of bargains to be had; for example the £10 compression gear, if you are lucky enough to find your size. Or a few quid off the things you were thinking of getting anyway.
If the number of people in block-colour tracksuits was anything to go by, the majority of Expo visitors were London Marathon entrants. I won't be running on Sunday, but I was still wished 'good luck' by all stallholders, many of whom asked for my target time. It's great fun to quote ever-more ludicrous figures.
The Saturday Expo does get busy, so be prepared for crowds or pop by today - it's open in the evenings too. And if you're watching on Sunday, then look out for my mate running with his Somerset cider press held aloft. Yes, really.
* this does not exist.
** scarily, this does exist.
The details.
Venue: ExCel Centre, London Docklands
Getting there: Custom House DLR or Emirates Air Line (cable car)
Open until 8pm today, and 9-5 on Saturday.
