Because London is a beast of a course. It’s not just about running 26.2 miles. You’ve got to dodge 50,000 other sweaty strangers. You’ve got to deal with the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and an evil little hill near the finish. The average time includes all those oops moments.
Think about it. The first mile is a shuffle. Everyone’s adrenaline is pumping, but you’re stuck behind a guy in a rhino costume. That adds minutes to your average.
The Fast People vs. The Fun People
Elite runners finish in 2 hours. Yes, two hours. They’re basically speeding taxis. But the average runner? They’re the ones who stop for a photo with Big Ben. They high-five kids and grab jelly babies from strangers. The average time is a glorious middle ground.
Fun fact: The slowest official finisher ever took 18 days in 2008. That’s not a typo. He stopped to sleep! Your average 5-hour finish suddenly feels like a sprint, right?
