Whether it's your first time training for a marathon or you’ve lost count of how many medals are hanging on your wall, one thing remains true, marathon training is tough on the body. As the miles ramp up and the long runs creep further into double digits, recovery becomes just as important as the running itself. And that’s where sports massage comes in.

Let’s talk about how sports massage can help you feel stronger, recover quicker, and reduce the risk of injury, so you can arrive at the start line feeling like your best self.

What is sports massage?

Sports massage is a deep, targeted massage therapy designed to support the muscles, tendons, and fascia that are most under pressure during training. Unlike a relaxation massage, this is a hands-on approach that focuses on improving range of motion, reducing muscle tension, and boosting circulation in specific areas that take a beating during training.

It’s often used by runners, triathletes, cyclists, and anyone training at a higher intensity, but you absolutely don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit from it.

Why sports massage is a runner’s best friend during marathon training

1. It boosts circulation and speeds up recovery

It boosts circulation and speeds up recovery
All those tired legs and stiff calves after a long run? That’s your body asking for a bit of TLC. Sports massage increases blood flow to your muscles, helping to clear out metabolic waste like lactic acid, and encouraging fresh oxygen and nutrients to flood in. This helps you recover faster between runs, especially those big Sunday efforts.

It helps prevent injuries before they happen
Training consistently is key when prepping for a marathon, but niggles can quickly turn into full-blown injuries if left untreated. Sports massage can spot areas of tightness, imbalance or overuse before they become an issue. Think of it as your early warning system. A little prevention now can save you from weeks of frustration later.

It reduces muscle tension and eases tight spots
Marathon training has a habit of targeting the same areas repeatedly, such as tight hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors. A regular massage can help release tension in these hotspots, improve flexibility and keep everything moving as it should. This can make a huge difference to your running form and comfort, especially as the miles build up.

It improves your mind-body awareness
One of the lesser talked-about benefits? Massage helps you tune into your body in a deeper way. You start to notice the difference between “normal” post-run soreness and something that’s not quite right. That awareness helps you train smarter and listen to what your body needs — something every runner can benefit from.

It supports post-race recovery too
After the medal’s been collected and the legs are like jelly, sports massage can work wonders for your recovery. A gentle massage 2–3 days post-race can help flush out stiffness, reduce DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), and get you back on your feet — quite literally.

When should I book a sports massage?

If you’re in the middle of a training cycle, aim for a massage every 3–4 weeks as part of your routine. If you’re feeling particularly tight or have a history of injuries, fortnightly can be a great support.

Avoid deep tissue massage the day before a race or long run. You need to give your body time to process the work. And post-race, wait a couple of days to let your body rest before jumping back on the table.

Sports massage is a powerful tool to help you move well, recover faster and stay injury-free as you clock up the miles. If you’re working towards an autumn marathon, now is the perfect time to get your recovery plan in place.

Book with ABWR for a sports massage

We’d love to support you with that. Our sports massage therapist, Claire, knows her stuff (she’s run the Chapelton 10K many times before, as well as numerous other events!) and works with runners of all levels. Whether you're prepping for your first 5K or gearing up for 26.2, she’ll tailor the treatment to your body and your training.

Appointments can be booked online. Just hit the link here and let’s get you feeling strong, supported and ready to go.