Marathon Season Is Here: How to Stay Injury Free (And What To Do If You’re Not)

With spring marathon season approaching, including the iconic London Marathon, thousands of runners are increasing mileage, pushing pace and testing their limits.
While training is rewarding, it is also when injuries peak.

At our private GP and physiotherapy clinic, we see a predictable surge in running related injuries from February through April.
The good news is that most are preventable and treatable if addressed early.

Why Injuries Spike Before a Marathon

Common causes include:

• Sudden mileage increases
• Poor recovery or sleep
• Weak glutes and core instability
• Inadequate footwear
• Ignoring early warning signs

Many runners try to push through discomfort, which often turns a minor issue into a race ending injury.

When Should You See a GP or Physio?

Book an assessment if:

• Pain persists beyond 5 to 7 days
• You’re changing your gait to compensate
• There is swelling or night pain
• You suspect a stress fracture
• You want a safe plan to continue training

Early diagnosis can mean the difference between modifying training and withdrawing from race day.

How We Can Help

🩺 Sports GP Assessment

• Accurate diagnosis
• Rule out stress fractures or serious pathology
• Referral for imaging if needed
• Anti inflammatory and pain management advice

🏃‍♂️ Physiotherapy

• Biomechanical assessment
• Gait and strength analysis
• Targeted rehab programmes
• Return to run planning

💆 Sports Massage Therapy

• Reduces muscle tension
• Improves circulation
• Aids recovery between long runs
• Helps prevent overload injuries

Many runners benefit from combining all three, especially during peak training weeks.

Can You Keep Training With an Injury?

It depends.

Many overuse injuries can be managed while maintaining fitness with:

• Load modification
• Cross training, such as cycling or swimming
• Structured rehab exercises
• Taping or bracing when appropriate

The key is early intervention.

Pre Race Health Checks: Are They Worth It?

If you have:

• A history of heart problems
• Unexplained breathlessness
• Dizziness during training
• A family history of sudden cardiac death

A private GP review before race day is sensible.

Don’t Let a Minor Niggle End Your Marathon

Most marathon injuries start as something small:

• A tight calf
• A slightly sore knee
• A bit of heel stiffness

Left untreated, these escalate.
Seen early, they’re manageable.

If you’re training for a spring marathon and experiencing pain, or simply want to optimise performance and recovery,
our clinical, physiotherapy and sports massage team can help keep you on track to the start line.