5 Essential Apps For The London Marathon

This Sunday sees the 34^th edition of the Virgin Money London Marathon, as thousands of runners take to the capital’s streets in an effort to conquer 26.2 difficult miles.

Whether you’re running the race or cheering on someone who is, there are a wide selection of mobile apps that can help you ensure you don’t fall at the final hurdle this weekend – here are TechWeekEurope’s favourites…

RunKeeper (iOS, Android, FREE)

One of the most comprehensive activity tracking apps out on the market at the moment, RunKeeper could prove an invaluable source of comfort (or pain) for runners. The app uses the GPS tracking in your smartphone to plot your location, meaning you’ll be able to track how far round the course you are, as the app allows pre-planned routes to be programmed in. It’ll also show you how fast your pace is, track you heartrate, and how many calories have been burned, meaning you won’t need to worry about your fuelling stops.

Garmin Fit (iOS, Android, £0.69)

Alternatively, if you’re a Garmin user, you can keep track of your progress around the course using the company’s Garmin Fit app. Compatible with a wide range of devices across both ios and Android, the app will allow you to monitor your speed, distance and calories burned, ensuring you don’t set off too fast or miss that crucial drinks station.

Citymapper (iOS, Android, FREE)

For those of us who will be watching and cheering on Sunday’s runners, getting around London can be tricky, as multiple road closure and amendments to TfL services can make this difficult. In order to ensure you don’t miss your runners, Citymapper provides an in-depth option to planning your route around London, offering a variety of suggestions which could prove invaluable (as someone who spent half an hour waiting at the finish after running the entire race can testify…)

JustGiving (iOS, Android, FREE)

Of course, many of this weekend’s competitors will also be running to raise money for charity, with hundreds of different causes hoping to benefit. Whether you’re running in fancy dress, as part of a team or just in tribute to a cause close to your own heart, you can help push your fundraising efforts along using the free JustGiving app. Acting as a partner to the company’s site, you can track how well your efforts are going, and view motivational messages from donators, as well as posting updates on your progress.

Spotify (iOS, Android, FREE)

And finally, whether you’re getting pumped up to run, feeling the pressure mid-race, or looking to relax after finishing, what better way to do it than with your favourite tunes? Offering millions of tracks, Spotify can help you create a playlist for any occasion, whether it’s Eye Of The Tiger, We Are The Champions, or some chilled-out music to help you recover.

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