The Perfect Shakeout Run for 🇬🇧 The Big Half

London, UK · Sep 6, 2026

A shakeout run is a short, easy jog the day before your marathon designed to loosen your legs, settle your nerves, and keep your body in rhythm after days of tapering. Coaches set it at 20 to 30 minutes of easy running, measured in time rather than distance — enough to stay loose without spending the glycogen you need on race day. Adding a heart-shaped GPS art element to your shakeout run transforms a routine pre-race jog into a memorable experience worth sharing.

For the The Big Half on Sep 6, 2026 in London, CityHeart has designed a heart-shaped shakeout route that follows real streets and paths near the race area. The route appears as a clear heart on Strava, Garmin Connect, and other GPS apps — perfect for sharing with friends, family, and your running community before the big day.

Download the GPX file for just €4.99, load it onto your Garmin, Apple Watch, or Coros in under 2 minutes, and run your heart the day before the race. No planning, no route-finding stress — just follow the arrows and enjoy the city. It is the perfect way to explore London on foot while staying race-ready.

Why run a heart shakeout?

  • Stay loose — 20 to 30 minutes of easy running keeps the legs fresh for race day
  • Explore the city — Discover London on foot before the marathon
  • Share on Strava — Your heart shape will earn instant kudos
  • Calm race nerves — A familiar ritual helps you feel ready
  • Create a memory — A heart-shaped GPS art run you'll never forget

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a shakeout run before the The Big Half?

A shakeout run is a short, easy jog the day before your marathon to loosen up your legs and calm your nerves. Running a heart-shaped shakeout in London adds a fun, creative element to your pre-race routine — and gives you something special to share on Strava before race day.

How long is the heart-shaped shakeout route in London?

You choose the distance. Coaches set a shakeout at 20 to 30 minutes of easy running, which is roughly 3.6 to 5.5 km for a sub-3:00 runner and 2.4 to 3.5 km for a five-hour runner, so pick the length that matches your goal time rather than a fixed number. The route follows real streets in London and draws a clear heart on your GPS tracker.

Which devices are compatible with the GPX file?

The GPX file works with Garmin, Apple Watch (via Strava or WorkOutDoors), Coros, Suunto, Polar, Wahoo, and any app that imports GPX files. Upload takes under 2 minutes.

When should I run my shakeout in London?

Most runners do their shakeout run the morning or afternoon before race day. For the The Big Half on Sep 6, 2026, plan your heart run for the day before. Start near your hotel, follow the GPX route, and finish with a photo of your heart on Strava.