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Discover creative ideas to spice up your marathon experience and turn those miles into smiles!
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While the idea of running a marathon for “fun” is highly subjective, there are ways to spice up your race day! While the marathon is about the culmination of the hard work you put in all season, there are ways to have fun and stick out, even in a crowd of tens of thousands.
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Best Practices for Enhancing Your Marathon Experience
You can race your own way and still have the best race of your life! There is something incredibly special about the marathon distance that always makes me want to be extra about it. Here are creative ways to have a really fun and memorable marathon experience! I wish I had these tips when I ran my first full marathon, but things were a little different in 2014!
Establish a Race Day Mantra
“The House is Up”
No matter your race distance or goal, it’s essential to establish a race mantra before the race. Running is as mental as it is physical, so having a race mantra helps keep your eyes on the prize.
I ran the Berlin Marathon this year and my biggest concern was transitioning between the two time zones. For the record, Berlin is seven hours ahead of Chicago. For the week of our departure, I would get up at 2:45 am to curb my sleep pattern. My goal was to be acclimated on race day (a mere 48 hours after our arrival). My boyfriend, Brian, would say, “The house is up,” when he couldn’t sleep and I was buzzing around the house in the wee hours of the morning. I would joke and say “The house is up” when I felt over-caffeinated and the more I kept saying it, I loved it.
I realized it was the perfect mantra for this season. The foundation for my training was in place, the work is done. It reminded me I had everything in place and build for a strong race. Throughout the Berlin Marathon when I’d get nervous or anxious, I’d remind myself that the house was up. I ended up finishing the race strong and breaking my personal best (which was in place from 2017) by 1 minute, 48 seconds.
The House is Up.
Race Mantra Inspiration
I need reminders because just remembering my “why” on my own when I’m 20+ miles in isn’t enough. I sometimes write my mantra on the back of my hand so I can look down when I’m struggling. It helps me feel connected to why I signed up for the race. Giving back is a marathon theme close to my heart.
When I’ve fundraised for a World Major marathon on charity bib, I usually pick a fundraising goal based on a number of humans impacted. For example, I once set a goal of raising enough scholarships for Girls on the Run Chicago to allow 27 girls to run with the program. I raised 28 scholarships at the time of the race and wrote “28” on my hand as a reminder I reached this huge milestone. When things were uncomfortable or hard, I remembered 28. I chanted it sometimes, it moved me forward. It made me think of how challenging it was to raise that much money . It also reminds me that I can do hard things.
Race Day Mantra Examples
These types of mantras are helpful too.
- Keep Going! (or if you’re really tired, just the word “Go” over and over will do)
- Forward is a Pace
- I Can Do Hard Things
- One Step at a Time
- Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body
When I was running in Berlin I saw a sign that said, “Pain is the French word for Bread” and I wanted to repeat it to myself later in the race. I yelled out “Pain is Bread Leaving the Body!” and if that funny story gets you through some of the later miles, you’re welcome.
Wear Race Glitter on Your Face and Hair
I started wearing race glitter earlier this year and it’s one of my favorite race accessories. It’s also been fun to wear it on training days to celebrate milestones when runners in my group are hitting new distances.
This is the tried and true race glitter that I’ve tested on multiple races (including the Brooklyn Half Marathon and the Berlin Marathon). It has lasted for me through sweat and humidity, while washing off easily with my normal face wash. It’s also easy to see from the crowd. If you’d like an option that’s a little more subtle, this glitter from Unicorn Snot is really great. You can also dress up your race kit with bows or a flower in your hair if it helps you feel strong.
Support a Cause and Ask for Charity Donations
Even if you’re not running the marathon for a charity bib, consider asking friends to make a $26 donation on race day to cheer for you. Pick a charity that supports a cause that you’re passionate about.
This year I ran the Berlin Marathon to support Imerman Angels. I got into the race through their lottery system and made it a fundraiser anyway. Imerman Angels is a 501(c)(3) that creates one-on-one support for cancer fighters and caregivers by pairing them up with survivors. I joined their marathon team since I committed to raising at least $500 on a fundraising page. You don’t have to commit to a minimum if you don’t want to. Just ask for donations through their general giving page. If tracking is important to you reach out to the charity to set up a donation page for your donors.
Help support a young girl with the gift of running! Read my story and support Girls on the Run Chicago.
This is a great way to make your race about something bigger than just running. It offers you the chance to bring light to a cause important to you.
Related Post: This post was in the Top 10 for 2025! Get the whole list of the top-ranked posts here.
Wear Your Name on Your Shirt
There’s something pretty incredible about having thousands of strangers cheer for you by name. I also love cheering back at them. Whenever someone says, “Liz, you look strong” I love answering them by saying, “Yes, I do!” Having a personal connection to the crowd, even if it’s random strangers, can have a huge impact on your race day mood.
I’ve tried a lot of options for name application and here are my favorites.
Can Mailbox Letters Stick on Clothes?
This is probably hands down the easiest option (granted the hardware store has your whole name). They stick on easily and are incredibly durable, which is important when you’re sweating and moving for hours.
If you don’t mind buying the whole alphabet, this set of vinyl mailbox letters is available on Amazon and comes in four color options (black, white, red or gold).
Does Water-Resistant Paper Exist?
If your shirt is a darker color and you’re in a hurry, some print shops have water-resistant paper materials you can print and trim to fit your shirt. I ran a do-it-yourself marathon in 2020 and printed my bib on a water-resistant paper from FedEx and it looked incredible after the run. It wasn’t as flexible as Tyvec (which is the material race bibs are printed on) but it didn’t rip when I sweat on it. It’s really easy if you’re pressed for time.
If you’re running a race for a charity, create a QR code with your donation link and wear it on your shirt in case anyone wants to scan your link during the race or in the start corral!
Print Your Message on a Heavy-Duty T-Shirt
My friend, Dyan, had a brilliant idea when we ran the NYC Marathon last year to print our names on a heavy-duty t-shirt. She took the t-shirt to our dry cleaner and asked them to cut the names out and hem the edges. This has been a sustainable option since I’ve been able to re-use the swatches for several races (and since it’s a t-shirt material, I wash them in my laundry) but the lead time might be a factor, depending on your race day.
Do Iron-On Letters Work for a Marathon Shirt?
While this might sound like the easiest, this option is the one I’ve used the least. I bought iron-on letters from a craft store for my first marathon and I was not prepared for how challenging it would be to keep the letters on my shirt. The letters were having the hardest time attaching to the synthetic material of my shirt and my poor dad was obsessed with ensuring they were perfect (why yes, he’s an engineer).
If you can find letters meant for synthetic materials, this should be fine, so it’s really important to find an option meant for moisture-wicking materials.
Lay Your Race Kit Out The Night Prior
One of my best practices I teach my running participants is always to lay your race kit out the night before. It helps to have everything available when the nerves are high and you’re not stressed trying to find everything. Also, if it helps, write out your packing checklist ahead of “race day eve” to ensure you remember everything to include in the pile. I include my nutrition, name plate, bib, outfit and sunglasses, etc. If you lay everything out (a “flat runner”) you can post the pic on social media too!
Pack Your Race Kit in Your Carry-On Bag
You can’t have a great race if your race kit didn’t make it to your race. Whenever I travel for a destination race, I always include my race kit in my carry on. I also lay it out before I leave to ensure I have everything included.
If you need tips for packing specifically for your trip or fun items to make flying more comfortable, check out this post for what I packed for Berlin.
Related Post: If you’re looking for ways to announce you’re running a marathon, use this guide!
Creative Marathon Ideas Make the Race Special
Whether you plan on running a Boston Qualifying time or running a “party pace” the marathon experience is unique for each person. How you spend the race between the start and finish line is up to you! You can always celebrate with getting a gift for your marathon runner (even if the marathon runner is you) by ordering one of these “Smells Like You Finished a Marathon” candles.
I’m dying to know how you plan to have a memorable marathon experience! Leave your creative marathon ideas in the comments and share your best tips!
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