Irrespective of 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) which may include it. One London man took that concept and ran with it—actually.
David Hellard didn’t truly run the 2025 London Marathon. His spouse Claire did. However the day after the race, he threw her medal round his neck and hit the streets of London to search out out simply how a lot free swag he might snag.
In an Instagram video, Hellard documented his self-imposed problem, dubbed a “blag for swag”—a phrase meaning scoring free gadgets by means of 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 just a few instances alongside the best way,” Hellard admitted. “Seems, Peroni isn’t preferrred mid-run hydration—who knew?”
Regardless of 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 stuffed with carbs. The marathon was simply the warm-up!”
Nonetheless, Hellard insists there’s no stolen valour right here. He advised Canadian Working 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 the whole lot he was given, besides just a few pizzas, which he saved to provide to his spouse when he returned residence 9 hours later. In any case, she’s the one who ran the race.
So, when you’re questioning how a lot free stuff you possibly can rating with a marathon medal, the reply is: a stunning quantity. And apparently, you don’t even should run the race to attain it.