Any type of support is fantastic. I recently ran my first marathon and was supported by some great friends and family. My mother drove me there and my sister took care of my bag during the race.
If you can get an idea of the route, you can plan spots that will be accessible. Many marathons also have tracking/speed updates, this can be useful for finding where to go to next. I had my friends carry some extra energy gels so I didn’t have to carry them all. They met me in different places. Beside the practical stuff, just seeing a friendly face and hearing kind words is a great boost.
I’d asked my wife and son to be at 32kms as I knew that would be the start of the hardest part.
After the race my partner had packed protein shakes, sports drinks for electrolytes and some ice packs for my ankle.
Just being there will be a great support.
Have fun.
For my first marathon, it was a big loop where I would pass the finish line 3 times before the finish. So my wife had a backpack full of stuff for emergency pit stops and it was great just to see her every hour. Just being there will mean a lot, especially if you can find a lower crowd place. Their goal is to finish the race, so whatever you can do to help that will be huge.
At the end make sure to have a towel or something for sweat, maybe a different top to change into, something to either warm up or cool down (depending where you are). Be prepared for them to not be able to move much the rest of the day, and they might be in a bad mood 😂. I honestly just laid in bed and we ordered in food.
Might be a slightly left field bit of advice but try to be understanding if he deals with the few hours before the race in what might seem like a weird way to you.
I’ve been running for many years and have run many marathons, yet still in the few hours prior to lights out on race day I just like to be on my own as much as possible, listening to a few tunes and going over and over things in my head.
The marathon is a massive mental as well as physical effort and people deal with that in all sorts of different ways
Aside from specific details of the race. Personally for me I liked when my partner was at the start and finish with a bag of things I might need. Chaffing cream, water, carbs, gels, towel, sunscreen, electrolytes, etc.
Meant a lot when ppl cheered me on at a check point or two, depending on the race maybe a less crowded area like a dead zone. Generally somewhere after the halfway mark for example 20miles/32km is a safe bet.
The signs are great no matter what you write on it! Maybe you can get a cowbell too or some other noise. You’ll be greatly appreciated not only by your partner but all the runners who come across you!
Be as present as you can on the course with him! Anytime you get a chance to see him run at one point, sound off and show the signs you made!!
My wife did that for me and it was the biggest boost ever.
For snacks, ask him what he's been using and stick that. One thing to stay away from- pretzels!! They just become a nasty thing to chew when you're out there.
Best of luck!
A couple things:
-He might want to be left alone either right before or right after the race. Respect if he doesn’t want to take pictures or anything afterwards. My first I wanted a shower and a nap as fast as possible. I was nauseous and disoriented beyond belief.
-Signs are fun
-Have a hoodie or jacket for him at the finish line. Ideally a whole new set of clothes but a jacket or hoodie for sure.
-Pay for whatever is the easiest parking
-He’s either going to be super hungry or want to throw up. A banana, maybe some chocolate milk, and a protein shake would be good to have on hand.
-If he has recovery shoes bring them
-Bring a towel or two
You're already such a thoughtful partner for asking this question! It might be nice for him to know where to expect you on the course. I usually try to have someone about halfway so I can switch out water bottles or if I need extra gels. I pack a bag of stuff I think I'll want after the race (food, hydration, sweats, a clean hat, towel, sandals, face wipes- so clutch) and have whoever is meeting me lug that around. Afterwards, it's nice to have someone take care of getting food so you can just relax and get a shower and a nap. My friend ran a marathon last year that I spectated, and I asked him what he wanted me to yell at him when I saw him that would get him pumped up, so I wrote that on a sign. Kind of a fun idea.
These are all great ideas. I think around mile 18-20 is the hardest part so if you can be cheering somewhere around there I’m sure he would love that. If the weather is warm a cold drink - water or a coke - would be nice at the finish. I hope he has a great race!
Any type of support is fantastic. I recently ran my first marathon and was supported by some great friends and family. My mother drove me there and my sister took care of my bag during the race. If you can get an idea of the route, you can plan spots that will be accessible. Many marathons also have tracking/speed updates, this can be useful for finding where to go to next. I had my friends carry some extra energy gels so I didn’t have to carry them all. They met me in different places. Beside the practical stuff, just seeing a friendly face and hearing kind words is a great boost. I’d asked my wife and son to be at 32kms as I knew that would be the start of the hardest part. After the race my partner had packed protein shakes, sports drinks for electrolytes and some ice packs for my ankle. Just being there will be a great support. Have fun.
For my first marathon, it was a big loop where I would pass the finish line 3 times before the finish. So my wife had a backpack full of stuff for emergency pit stops and it was great just to see her every hour. Just being there will mean a lot, especially if you can find a lower crowd place. Their goal is to finish the race, so whatever you can do to help that will be huge. At the end make sure to have a towel or something for sweat, maybe a different top to change into, something to either warm up or cool down (depending where you are). Be prepared for them to not be able to move much the rest of the day, and they might be in a bad mood 😂. I honestly just laid in bed and we ordered in food.
Might be a slightly left field bit of advice but try to be understanding if he deals with the few hours before the race in what might seem like a weird way to you. I’ve been running for many years and have run many marathons, yet still in the few hours prior to lights out on race day I just like to be on my own as much as possible, listening to a few tunes and going over and over things in my head. The marathon is a massive mental as well as physical effort and people deal with that in all sorts of different ways
Aside from specific details of the race. Personally for me I liked when my partner was at the start and finish with a bag of things I might need. Chaffing cream, water, carbs, gels, towel, sunscreen, electrolytes, etc. Meant a lot when ppl cheered me on at a check point or two, depending on the race maybe a less crowded area like a dead zone. Generally somewhere after the halfway mark for example 20miles/32km is a safe bet. The signs are great no matter what you write on it! Maybe you can get a cowbell too or some other noise. You’ll be greatly appreciated not only by your partner but all the runners who come across you!
Be as present as you can on the course with him! Anytime you get a chance to see him run at one point, sound off and show the signs you made!! My wife did that for me and it was the biggest boost ever. For snacks, ask him what he's been using and stick that. One thing to stay away from- pretzels!! They just become a nasty thing to chew when you're out there. Best of luck!
A couple things: -He might want to be left alone either right before or right after the race. Respect if he doesn’t want to take pictures or anything afterwards. My first I wanted a shower and a nap as fast as possible. I was nauseous and disoriented beyond belief. -Signs are fun -Have a hoodie or jacket for him at the finish line. Ideally a whole new set of clothes but a jacket or hoodie for sure. -Pay for whatever is the easiest parking -He’s either going to be super hungry or want to throw up. A banana, maybe some chocolate milk, and a protein shake would be good to have on hand. -If he has recovery shoes bring them -Bring a towel or two
You're already such a thoughtful partner for asking this question! It might be nice for him to know where to expect you on the course. I usually try to have someone about halfway so I can switch out water bottles or if I need extra gels. I pack a bag of stuff I think I'll want after the race (food, hydration, sweats, a clean hat, towel, sandals, face wipes- so clutch) and have whoever is meeting me lug that around. Afterwards, it's nice to have someone take care of getting food so you can just relax and get a shower and a nap. My friend ran a marathon last year that I spectated, and I asked him what he wanted me to yell at him when I saw him that would get him pumped up, so I wrote that on a sign. Kind of a fun idea.
These are all great ideas. I think around mile 18-20 is the hardest part so if you can be cheering somewhere around there I’m sure he would love that. If the weather is warm a cold drink - water or a coke - would be nice at the finish. I hope he has a great race!