Aaaah, Scotland, a land of legends… The Loch Ness Monster, its vast windswept moors (and rain too! ☔️), its endless wild landscapes with no one in sight… 😍 And its capital city, Edinburgh, affectionately known as "Auld Reekie". Not because of its misty weather, but because of the black smoke that once billowed from its chimneys! 🏙️ Don't worry, that pollution is long gone and today we love to call Edinburgh the "Athens of the North" 🧭 for its neoclassical architecture 😏. It’s in this green region 🍀, located in the United Kingdom, that the Edinburgh Marathon awaits you, offering a 42 km race (which you can run solo or in relay), a half marathon, a 10 km, a 5 km and even kids' races 👧.
It’s right in the heart 💓 of this remarkable heritage that the routes of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival are mapped out, which takes place annually in May 🌸. This festival is not to be confused with the International Festival🌍 held in August for three weeks, renowned as one of the world's finest with its rich artistic program featuring theater plays, live performances, operas, choreographies, and exhibitions. The Edinburgh Marathon is not a musical comedy or an ancient tragedy, but indeed a grand running celebration 🏃♀️ offering, for two whole days ✌️, races ranging from 1 km for the youngest to 42.195 km for the pros like you 🏋️. Thanks to its inclusive program suitable for everyone (a kids' race, 3 junior races, a 5 km, a 10 km, a half marathon, a 4-runner relay marathon, and an individual marathon), the Edinburgh Marathon is the second largest in the UK 🇬🇧, after London, boasting a whopping 24,000 participants 🤯. A splendid popular festivity, Sir! 🙌
Perhaps the event's popularity is also due to the warm welcome of the Scots! This friendliness is already felt in the famous pubs, where beer flows freely (naturally, as brewing is a traditional industry of the city 🍻). It’s also present in their hearty cuisine, featuring the world-famous haggis (maybe skip it the night before the race! 😂), porridge sometimes drizzled with a splash of whisky 🥃 (indeed) or the substantial Scottish breakfast with black pudding, Lorne sausage, and potato scones. If you want to fully embrace the local culture, you can try the traditional attire: the famous kilt, supposedly invented to keep away the wetness in these damp regions 💦. Who knows, maybe the Scottish skirt will help you smash your personal best! 😆
Rain or shine, you'll be running at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Sir, yes, Sir!
The inaugural Edinburgh Marathon in 1982 took place in Holyrood Park, but now it kicks off from the city center at Potterrow. The route showcases the iconic landmarks of the Scottish capital, along with breathtaking coastal views 🌊. Highlights include McEwan Hall, St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle 🏰, Princes Street Gardens, Scott Monument, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Park 🤴, and Musselburgh. The coastal route and a super-fast final descent 🚀 to the finish line 🏁 ensure you'll stay exhilarated over the course of these 42.195 km!
The Edinburgh Marathon can also be run as a 4-person relay. The course is the same as the marathon, but there are designated relay exchange points along the route 😊
The Edinburgh Half Marathon also starts from Potterrow and passes by St Giles Cathedral ⛪️, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens 🪴, Scott Monument, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Park and Musselburgh. This is where the route diverges from the marathon course, quickly heading towards the finish line 🏁 at Pinkie School. With such a flat and fast course, you can be sure your PB will be challenged! 🥶
The 10 km race takes place in the historic setting of Holyrood Park, right in the heart of Edinburgh. It offers a stunning route with breathtaking views of the castle and the city 😍. The course starts on Queens Drive, heading downhill towards the Scottish Parliament and the Holyrood Palace, before climbing up to Arthur’s Seat, then proceeding to Dunsapie Loch, Duddingston Village, Innocent Railway Path, and back to Queens Drive. After conquering the 9th kilometer, it's a downhill sprint ⛰️ to the finish line at Holyrood Gait🏁.
🗺️ Here’s the map for the 5k Edinburgh Run:
For the marathon: Click here for more information
For the relay marathon: Click here for more information
For the half marathon: Click here for more information
For the 10K: Click here for more information
For the 5K: Click here for more information
For the kids' 5K race: Click here for more information
For the kids' 2K race: Click here for more information
For the kids' 1.5K race: Click here for more information
For the kids' 1K race: Click here for more information
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