Completing a marathon is a monumental achievement that requires months of dedication, training, and endurance. For participants in the 2019 London Marathon, the sense of accomplishment was accompanied by a tangible reward: the official finisher's medal. Beyond the personal satisfaction, this medal served as a key to unlock a variety of complimentary offers from London businesses, ranging from free meals and drinks to practical services. These promotions were designed to help runners refuel, relax, and celebrate their accomplishment without incurring additional costs after the race.
The freebies available to 2019 London Marathon participants were predominantly offered by restaurants, bars, and retailers located near the race route and finish line. The primary requirement to claim these offers was to present an official marathon medal, with some promotions also extending to individuals who had volunteered at the event. Offers were typically valid on race day, Sunday, April 28, 2019, and occasionally on the following Monday, allowing runners a brief window to take advantage of the rewards. In addition to food and beverage perks, runners could also benefit from practical freebies such as free public transportation on race day, which is a significant value in a major metropolitan area like London.
Comprehensive List of 2019 Food and Drink Offers
A wide array of London restaurants and bars participated in post-marathon celebrations in 2019, offering everything from hearty meals to refreshing pints. These offers were generally available for dine-in customers only and required the presentation of the medal.
Burgers and Main Courses
- MEATLiquor: This popular chain offered a free burger to runners who presented their medal at any of its nine London locations on race day. The offer included vegetarian and vegan options and was also available to race volunteers.
- Bill’s: The restaurant chain provided a free burger and a choice of drink (Peroni, Lucky Saint, Aperol Spritz, or a soft drink) at its London branches on race day. This offer was also extended to volunteers.
- Heliot Steak House: Located at the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, this restaurant offered a free Argentinian Rib Eye Steak or a Claire Heliot Burger on race day or the Monday after.
- London Brasseries: This group invited runners to a free meal at any of its five central London restaurants. The offer included a burger or steak frites at Palm Court. Participating locations included Old Compton, Maxwell’s Bar & Grill, Palm Court, Boulevard Brasserie, and PJ’s Chelsea Brasserie.
- The Real Greek: Runners could get a free Greek Plate (with vegan options available) at any branch by showing their medal. The offer was valid for dine-in customers.
- Franco Manca: This pizzeria offered a free pizza to anyone who presented their medal on race day or the Monday after.
- Pastaio: A complimentary bowl of pasta was available.
- Gaucho: All London Gaucho restaurants offered a free Argentinian Steak.
- Burger and Lobster: Participants could receive a free Smash Burger.
- Maxwell’s Bar and Grill: The Covent Garden location offered a free signature burger.
Pints and Drinks
- Warehouse Bar: On Sunday, April 21, runners could get their first post-marathon pint for free at Warehouse Bar in Seven Dials Market. The offer featured Gipsy Hill’s carbon-negative beer.
- The Ivy: A free glass of bubbles was available.
- Piccadillys Fowl: This location offered free Margaritas.
- Kricket: A free drink was available across all of its London sites.
- Market Place Food Hall: Located in Vauxhall, this venue offered a free pint of beer.
- Green King Pubs: A free drink was available across all London locations.
- Three Cheers Pub Co: Free pints were available at any of their pubs.
- Bluebird Chelsea: Runners could flash their medal for a Signature Cocktail, such as the King’s Road Cocktail or the Fast Lane.
Other Food and Drink Categories
- Mac & Wild: This Scottish restaurant offered a free Wild Bowl on Monday, April 29, 2019. Runners could choose from a Wild Salmon Bowl, Wild Vegan Pulse Bowl, or Wild Venison Bowl at its Fitzrovia or Devonshire Square locations.
- Leon: For carb-loading, Leon offered free lunch boxes on Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28, 2019. Choices included Black cardamon chicken korma, Moroccan me*tballs, Brazilian black beans, or a satay chicken box. This offer was available via the LEON Club app using the code LEONMARATHON.
- SushiDog: A free SushiDog, Bowl, or Salad was available at all stores.
Non-Food Freebies and Practical Perks
In addition to the extensive food and drink offerings, 2019 London Marathon runners could access several practical freebies designed to aid in post-race recovery and transportation.
Transportation
- TfL and Southeastern Rail: Runners enjoyed free travel on the London Underground, Overground, DLR, and London buses until 6:30 p.m. on race day. Free travel was also available on parts of the Southeastern rail service from stations including London Bridge, Cannon Street, Charing Cross, Waterloo East, and Victoria. To access these perks, participants simply needed to show their bib number when boarding.
Recovery and Retail
- SunGod: The brand hosted a marathon after-party at 28 Henrietta Street, offering free post-race massages, tote bags, beer (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and pizza.
- Tracksmith: Located on Chiltern Street in Marylebone, the Tracksmith store offered a commemorative race poster stamped with the runner's London Marathon time.
- Deliveroo and Boots: A "marathon roo-covery hub" was available on the Deliveroo app, offering £10 off at 125 participating Boots stores across the UK. The code ROOCOVERY10 was used to redeem the offer, which was available on a first-come, first-served basis with 1,981 vouchers available.
Claiming Offers and Important Considerations
To claim these complimentary items, runners were required to present their official London Marathon medal. For app-based offers like the one from Leon, a specific code was required. Most offers were valid for a limited time, typically on race day (Sunday, April 28, 2019) and sometimes extending to the following Monday. It is important to note that while many offers were available at multiple locations, some were specific to a single venue or a particular branch closest to the race route. Runners were advised to check the specific terms of each promotion, such as whether the offer was for dine-in only, as was the case for most restaurant meals. Availability of certain items, such as the free lunch boxes from Leon, was subject to stock levels.
Conclusion
The 2019 London Marathon provided finishers with a wide array of freebies that extended the celebration beyond the finish line. From complimentary burgers and pizzas to free pints and practical recovery services, the offers allowed runners to refuel and relax at no cost. The key to accessing these rewards was the official finisher's medal, which served as proof of the significant effort invested in completing the 26.2-mile race. These promotions not only offered immediate post-race benefits but also added significant value to the overall marathon experience, creating a festive and rewarding atmosphere throughout London for participants and volunteers alike.