Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2018

Fast & flat, this course was voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runners World, ideal if it’s your first marathon or you are looking for a PB. The Edinburgh Marathon has sold out every year since 2008 and is the second largest marathon in the UK, behind only London.

EDINBURGH MARATHON LAUNCHES NEW ROUTE FOR 2018

THE EDINBURGH MARATHON has launched a brand new route for the first time in 5 years.

In what will be the 16th year of the Edinburgh Marathon, Scotland’s largest running event which takes place on Sunday May 27 2018, announced the new route this lunchtime.

The new route starts on Potterrow, the Old Town heartland of Edinburgh University, for the first time in the event’s history, before heading North over the historic High Street and down The Mound. Participants will then run past the Scottish National Gallery and into Princes Street Gardens, with the iconic Edinburgh Castle as their backdrop.

The route then takes in the Scott Monument, before heading down the Royal Mile and towards Holyrood Park, The Scottish Parliament and Royal Palace before then east towards the beautiful coastline. The marathon finishes in Pinkie Playing fields, Musselburgh as per recent years. Both the Half Marathon and Team Relay routes have had similar changes.

Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Director, said: “We are delighted to announce the new Edinburgh Marathon route to the world and and believe we have a route which showcases the incredible and stunning city of Edinburgh to it’s very best.”

“The key for us was creating a route which not only let our participants see more of Edinburgh, but also stays true to its worldwide reputation as one of the fastest marathon routes approved by an IAAF label – not an easy thing to achieve in this small but fine city!”

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival now annually attracts more than 30,000 runners each year has had an economic impact of more than £40 million for Scotland’s capital and helped raise more than £60 million for hundreds of charities.

The Edinburgh Marathon joined the world’s elite road races in 2012 by becoming the first race in Scotland to be officially recognised by the IAAF, the athletics governing body. The IAAF Bronze label puts the race among the top 75 in the world making it a pivotal part of the sporting calendar for runners. It remains Scotland’s only IAAF labeled road race.

Mr Kilgour said “With a descent of almost 90 metres to near sea level, we believe that this is one of, if not THE fastest marathon route in the world. If you have put in the training then this route will reward this effort: it is full of PB potential”

Second only to London in terms of size in the UK, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival has nine races on offer, guaranteeing there is something for everyone from the seasoned runner to the charity fundraiser and beginners. The fun kicks off on Saturday May 26 at Holyrood Park with a 10k, 5K and four junior races. On Sunday May 27, the Edinburgh Marathon, Edinburgh Half Marathon and team relay start from the heart of Edinburgh City and continues through East Lothian offering stunning views and an unforgettable running experience.

Entries are open for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on May 26 and 27, 2018. More information is available via the website at www.edinburghmarathon.com.

Please call our office for further information or to secure your Edinburgh Marathon accommodation on +44 (0)131 510 0020.