Edinburgh Marathon
The Lowdown
The Edinburgh Marathon is one of the UK’s most historic and popular spring marathons, with roots stretching back to the early 1980s and now forming the centrepiece of the multi-event Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Combining city history with coastal scenery, the race has grown into a major destination for British and international runners seeking a fast, well-organised spring marathon in a dramatic setting. The event attracts a broad field from club competitors and elite athletes chasing qualifying times to first-time marathoners drawn by the festival atmosphere and excellent support services. The course threads together many of Edinburgh’s best sights and landscapes: runners pass the dramatic skyline dominated by Edinburgh Castle and the volcanic ridge of Arthur’s Seat, move through the historic Old Town and Holyrood area, and enjoy long stretches along the Firth of Forth coastline offering expansive sea views and refreshing breezes. The relatively flat and fast-profile sections along the coastal road and promenade around Portobello and Musselburgh provide strong opportunities for personal bests, while crowd support, local bands and mile markers keep the energy high throughout. The Edinburgh Marathon is a certified course meeting national and international measurement standards and is recognised as a Boston Qualifier. Race organisation focuses on runner experience with clear course signage, plentiful aid stations, medical support and a lively finish area featuring medals, refreshments and festival entertainment, making it a memorable and accessible marathon for runners of all abilities.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Men's course record: Joel Kipkemboi Kiptoo 2:13:33 (2018)
May 27, 2018Joel Kipkemboi Kiptoo set the Edinburgh Marathon men’s course record with a time of 2:13:33 on 27 May 2018, the fastest recorded finish on the current Edinburgh–Musselburgh route (downhill/point-to-point).
Women's course record: Zinaida Semenova 2:33:36 (2005)
Jun 12, 2005Zinaida Semenova holds the women's course record for the Edinburgh Marathon with a time of 2:33:36, set on 12 June 2005 during the earlier circuit-format edition that produced the standing women's best. (This 2:33:36 mark remains the official women’s course record.)
2026 entries sold out to the public; only charity places remain
Dec 5, 2025Organisers and charity partners report the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2026 (24 May 2026) is sold out to the public; remaining places are available via official charity partners (multiple charities listing charity places and fundraising targets for EMF 2026). The festival expects 30,000–35,000+ participants across marathon, half, 10K, 5K and junior events.
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Holyrood Park
The course passes the dramatic Holyrood Park with views of Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat
Iconic volcanic peak overlooking the route and central Edinburgh
Scottish Parliament
Runners pass the modern Scottish Parliament building at the foot of the Royal Mile
Royal Mile / Old Town
The route runs through or alongside the historic Royal Mile and medieval Old Town streets
Princes Street & Princes Street Gardens
The marathon skirts Edinburgh's main shopping street with skyline views of the castle
Leith Waterfront
The course goes through Leith, offering riverside and dockland scenery along the Firth of Forth approaches
Musselburgh Racecourse
Traditional finish area for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, with race facilities and spectator stands
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
GB
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Official Hotel Partner PortalVerified
This race offers exclusive rates and guaranteed entry packages through their official travel partner. Booking through the portal is recommended.
Eligibility
- Must be 18 years or older on race day
- Must hold a valid race entry and wear issued race number visibly
- Entrants must be fit to run; medical clearance recommended if you have pre-existing conditions
- Participants must comply with race rules, marshals and event organisers' instructions
- No unauthorised entries, race numbers are non-transferable
- Pushchairs, animals and personal support vehicles are not permitted on the course; wheelchair athletes must register in the dedicated wheelchair category
- Must finish within the published course time limit (approximately 6 hours)
Required Documents
- Photo ID
- Emergency contact details
- Medical information / medical consent
- Proof of age for age-category entries (if requested)
Entry Methods
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Ballot (Lottery)
- Tour Operator/Travel Package
- Club/Group Entry
Cancellation & Refund Policy
No refunds under any circumstances for standard entries
Paid bib transfers to another registered runner permitted up to 7 days before race subject to a £10 administration fee
Deferral to the next year permitted — medical deferrals accepted with a doctor’s note up to race day (no fee); non-medical deferrals allowed up to 14 days before the event for a £15 fee
If the organiser cancels the event, entrants will be offered either a full refund or a free deferral to the next running of the Edinburgh Marathon
The race is part of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival weekend and finishes at Musselburgh Racecourse after a scenic point-to-point route that includes coastal views and landmarks such as Arthur's Seat and stretches along the Firth of Forth.
Finishers receive a custom medal and a technical race shirt, and there is a lively finish area with food, drink and often a post-race beer garden.
The event includes an expo, a half marathon, 10K and junior races, and typically offers chip timing and pace groups; it is UK Athletics certified and commonly used as a Boston Qualifier for eligible performances.
Aid stations with water, electrolyte drink and sports nutrition are positioned regularly along the course (approximately every 3–4 miles), and organizers recommend using public transport to reach the start and finish due to limited parking near Musselburgh.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.