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Updated: 23 April 2025.

How to wear your hair for running a marathon – plus our editor’s race day essentials

Because it’s all about the post-race pics 📸

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a record number of women runners take part in the zurich marathon barcelona in barcelona, spain, on 2025, highlighting strength and determination. (photo by leonardo gerzon/nurphoto via getty images)
NurPhoto

If you’re gearing up for a spring marathon, you’ve probably planned just about everything – apart from your hair. Sure, you’ve got your kit ready for that flat lay, you’ve ordered your running gels and you’ve planned a menu of carby meals The 24 best women’s running shorts for 2025?

To avoid having to pull your hair up out your face mid-marathon, we’ve been scrolling through Pinterest to find you the best marathon hairstyles for the big day – because what else is a taper for?

The essentials

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Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel

Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel
Now 40% Off

This is our favourite styling gel that helps to create a sleek, race-day look without ruining your hair. That's because it's infused with natural olive oil which helps to moisturise from root to tip.

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Bed Head Hair Wax Stick

Bed Head Hair Wax Stick

Perfect for taming flyways, apply Bed Head's Hair Wax Stick to damp or dry hair for a sleek finish that lasts. Or use it post-gel as a taming finisher. You can also add a little heat on the wax with a hair dryer for a super-secure marathon-length run.

WROLY Hair Bands - 50 pack

WROLY Hair Bands - 50 pack
Now 20% Off

This 50-pack of hair ties is available on next-day delivery, so you can still stock up in time for the big day!

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9 ways to style your hair for race day

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1

The bubble pony

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2

The twisted pony tail

3

The bubble braid

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4

Double bubble braid

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6

The short hair bun

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8

The braided bun

9

The double braided pony

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a record number of women runners take part in the zurich marathon barcelona in barcelona, spain, on 2025, highlighting strength and determination. (photo by leonardo gerzon/nurphoto via getty images)
Best wireless headphones