No matter how your marathon goes, one plain perk of crossing the end line is sporting your finisher’s medal round city—and absorbing all the popularity (and free stuff) that may come with it. One London man took that concept and ran with it—actually.
David Hellard didn’t really run the 2025 London Marathon. His spouse Claire did. But the day after the race, he threw her medal round his neck and hit the streets of London to search out out simply how much free swag he may snag.
In an Instagram video, Hellard documented his self-imposed problem, dubbed a “blag for swag”—a phrase which means scoring free gadgets by persuasion or cheek. Over the course of 40 kilometres round London, he racked up a formidable haul: 20 drinks, seven pizzas, three bathtub bombs, a cookie, a burger and a Greek salad.
“I almost threw up a few instances alongside the best way,” Hellard admitted. “Turns out, Peroni isn’t preferrred mid-run hydration—who knew?”
Despite the spectacular freebie assortment, Hellard’s stunt raised some eyebrows, particularly since he hadn’t clarified within the video that he wasn’t the precise runner. When commenters praised his “post-marathon stamina,” he performed alongside, replying: “A primed abdomen filled with carbs. The marathon was simply the warm-up!”
Still, Hellard insists there’s no stolen valour right here. He instructed Canadian Running he’s accomplished the London Marathon over a dozen instances and noticed this as his first 12 months actually cashing in on the freebies. He stated he consumed every thing he was given, besides a few pizzas, which he saved to present to his spouse when he returned house 9 hours later. After all, she’s the one who ran the race.
So, if you’re questioning how much free stuff you can score with a marathon medal, the reply is: a shocking quantity. And apparently, you don’t even should run the race to score it.