Edinburgh Marathon
Edinburgh Marathon Festival: Complete Training and Race Guide
Everything everyday runners need for the UK's fast spring race weekend, from picking a distance to a full 16-week marathon plan.
The short version
- The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is a fast spring weekend of races in and around Edinburgh, with a marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10K, 5K and junior events. You enter online at edinburghmarathon.com, either through general entry or a charity place that includes a fundraising pledge.
- The 2027 festival runs over Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May. The 10K, 5K and junior races are on the Saturday, and the half marathon, marathon and relay are on the Sunday.
- The marathon and half start at Potterrow in central Edinburgh and finish in Musselburgh, running out along the East Lothian coast. The course has a strong reputation for personal bests and the marathon has been voted the fastest in the UK by Runner's World.
- Give a first marathon around 16 weeks of steady, progressive training from a sensible running base, then taper for two to three weeks before race day.
26.2
miles in the full marathon
9
events, from a Kids' Kilometre to the marathon
29-30 May
2027 race weekend
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is one of the most popular race weekends in the UK, and for good reason. The course is fast, the crowds are friendly and the East Lothian coastline gives runners something to look at when the miles start to bite. This guide covers what the festival is, the distances on offer, what the route is really like, how to secure a place and how to train and pace a marathon if you decide to go the full distance. The facts here were checked as of July 2026, and event details change year to year, so always confirm the latest information on the official site before you enter.
What is the Edinburgh Marathon Festival?
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival, often shortened to EMF, is a two-day running festival held each spring in and around Scotland's capital. It brings together nine events across a single weekend, so families and clubs can enter together with everyone running a distance that suits them. The headline event is the full marathon, but the festival is built to welcome first-timers and seasoned club runners alike, with shorter races and junior events sitting alongside the 26.2 mile route.
The weekend is best known for speed. The marathon has been voted the fastest in the UK by Runner's World, thanks to a largely flat profile and a gentle early descent that helps runners settle into a rhythm. That makes it a favourite for anyone chasing a first marathon finish or a new personal best. Here are the key facts at a glance.
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Distances | Marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon, team relay (four runners), 10K, 5K, plus junior and kids' races |
| Location | Marathon and half start at Potterrow in central Edinburgh and finish in Musselburgh, out along the East Lothian coast; the 10K and 5K use Holyrood Park |
| Typical date | A late-May spring weekend. In 2027 the festival runs Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May |
| Course reputation | Fast and largely flat, voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runner's World; strong personal-best potential |
| Entry routes | General entry at edinburghmarathon.com, or a charity place through a partner charity with a registration fee and a fundraising pledge |
What distances can you run?
The festival splits neatly across the two days. On the Saturday you will find the shorter road races and the junior programme, and on the Sunday the endurance events take centre stage. That layout lets a household spread its running across the weekend, so one member might tackle the marathon while another does the 5K and the children take on a junior distance.
- Marathon (26.2 miles): the flagship event on the Sunday, and the reason many runners travel to Edinburgh in the first place.
- Half marathon (13.1 miles): also on the Sunday, sharing much of the fast profile and a popular first step up in distance.
- Team relay: the marathon distance split between a team of four, which makes 26.2 miles feel achievable and is ideal for workplaces and clubs.
- 10K and 5K: Saturday road races based around Holyrood Park, great for newer runners or anyone wanting a quick, scenic effort.
- Junior and kids' races: shorter distances for younger runners, so the whole family has something to aim for.
What is the route like?
The marathon and half marathon both begin at Potterrow in the heart of Edinburgh, taking in some of the city's landmarks before heading out towards the coast. The early miles include a gentle downhill section that helps runners find a comfortable pace, and the course then flattens out for a long, honest run along the East Lothian shoreline before finishing in Musselburgh. There are no brutal climbs to break your rhythm, which is exactly why the event has built its fast reputation.
The main thing to plan for is the coast itself. An open shoreline can bring a headwind on the return stretch, so tucking in behind other runners and holding an even effort pays off in the closing miles. The flat profile is a gift for pacing, but it also means your legs work in a similar pattern for a long time, so mixing terrain into training and building strength both help you stay smooth to the line.
How do you get a place?
There are two main ways in. The first is general entry, which you buy directly through edinburghmarathon.com when registration is open. The second is a charity place, offered by the many partner charities that support the event. With a charity place you usually pay a smaller registration fee and commit to raising a minimum amount for that charity's work. Fundraising targets and registration fees vary from one charity to another, so it is worth comparing a few before you commit.
Popular distances can sell out well ahead of race weekend, and charity places for the marathon and half in particular tend to go early. If you have your heart set on a specific distance, enter as soon as registration opens rather than waiting. For current prices, entry windows and availability, the official site is always the authoritative source, so check edinburghmarathon.com before you plan your season around a place.
How should you train for a marathon?
A marathon rewards patience. Most everyday runners give a first marathon around 16 weeks of focused training, built on an existing base of comfortable running of roughly 15 to 20 miles a week. The plan below assumes you can already run for about an hour without stopping. If you are brand new to running, it is smarter to build up with a 10K or half marathon first, then come back to the full distance once you have a stronger base.
The pattern is simple. Most of your running stays easy and conversational, one weekly session adds a little speed or race-pace work, and the long run grows steadily to prepare your legs and mind for the distance. Roughly every fourth week is an easier week that lets your body absorb the training, and the final two to three weeks taper down so you arrive fresh. Strength and mobility work is widely recommended to support marathon training, helping you hold form and stay durable as the mileage climbs.
| Week | Easy runs | Session | Long run | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 runs, 3 to 4 miles | Strides after one easy run | 8 miles | Settle into routine |
| 2 | 3 runs, 4 miles | 5 x 3 min steady-hard | 10 miles | Build aerobic base |
| 3 | 3 runs, 4 to 5 miles | 6 x 800m at 10K effort | 12 miles | Introduce speed |
| 4 (easier) | 2 to 3 runs, 3 to 4 miles | Relaxed fartlek | 8 miles | Absorb and recover |
| 5 | 3 runs, 4 to 5 miles | 4 x 1 mile at threshold | 13 miles | Threshold focus |
| 6 | 3 to 4 runs, 5 miles | 3 x 2 miles at marathon pace | 14 miles | Meet marathon pace |
| 7 | 3 to 4 runs, 5 miles | 8 x 800m at 10K effort | 16 miles | Grow the long run |
| 8 (easier) | 2 to 3 runs, 4 miles | Easy strides only | 11 miles | Recovery week |
| 9 | 3 to 4 runs, 5 to 6 miles | 2 x 3 miles at marathon pace | 17 miles | Race-specific work |
| 10 | 4 runs, 5 to 6 miles | 5 x 1 mile at threshold | 18 miles | Peak build |
| 11 | 4 runs, 6 miles | 10 miles with 6 at marathon pace | 20 miles | Longest long run |
| 12 (easier) | 2 to 3 runs, 4 to 5 miles | Relaxed fartlek | 13 miles | Absorb the work |
| 13 | 4 runs, 5 to 6 miles | 3 x 2 miles at marathon pace | 20 miles | Final big week |
| 14 (taper) | 3 runs, 4 to 5 miles | 4 x 1 mile at threshold | 16 miles | Taper begins |
| 15 (taper) | 2 to 3 runs, 3 to 4 miles | 3 x 1 mile at marathon pace | 12 miles | Sharpen and freshen |
| 16 (race week) | 2 short runs, 3 miles | 20 min easy with a few strides | Race day, 26.2 miles | Rest, fuel and enjoy it |
This outline is a general template rather than personal medical advice. Build mileage gradually, and see a physiotherapist or GP if you have pain, an injury or a health condition before ramping up your training.
How should you pace it?
A flat, fast course is a pacing opportunity, but only if you show restraint early. The gentle descent near the start makes it easy to run too quick in the first few miles, and that energy is almost always paid back with interest later on. Aim to run the opening miles slightly slower than goal pace, settle into an even effort by around mile three, and save any pushing for the second half.
Along the coast, hold a steady effort rather than a fixed pace, since a headwind can make the same speed feel much harder. Rehearse your fuelling in training so you know what your stomach tolerates, and take on carbohydrate and fluid at regular intervals rather than waiting until you feel low. A calm, even run that finishes strong will almost always beat a fast start that fades in the closing miles.
Building strength and staying durable
Running is the priority when marathon training, but it is not the whole picture. Strength, HIIT and mobility work are widely recommended to support marathon training, keeping your hips, core and legs resilient as your weekly mileage grows. Two short strength sessions a week, plus a little mobility, can protect your form on tired legs and help the flat Edinburgh miles feel smoother. Keep these sessions easy in the days around your long run so they support your running rather than competing with it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Edinburgh Marathon Festival and how do you enter?
It is a fast spring race weekend in and around Edinburgh, featuring a marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10K, 5K and junior events. You enter online at edinburghmarathon.com, choosing either a general-entry place or a charity place that adds a fundraising pledge.
When is the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in 2027?
The 2027 festival takes place over Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May. The 10K, 5K and junior races run on the Saturday, and the half marathon, marathon and relay run on the Sunday. Dates shift slightly year to year, so confirm on the official site.
Is the Edinburgh Marathon really flat and fast?
Yes. The marathon has been voted the fastest in the UK by Runner's World, with a gentle early downhill and a largely flat run out to the coast. It is a genuine personal-best course, though an open coastal stretch can bring a headwind, so pace on effort.
How long does it take to train for the marathon?
Around 16 weeks suits most everyday runners with an existing base of comfortable running. Keep most runs easy, add one weekly session, grow your long run and taper for the final two to three weeks so you reach the start line fresh.
Is the Edinburgh Marathon good for beginners?
The flat course is welcoming for a first marathon if you have built a running base. If you are completely new to running, start with the 5K, 10K or half marathon and step up to the full distance once you can train consistently and comfortably.
Facts in this guide were checked as of July 2026 and reflect information published for the 2027 festival. Distances, dates, entry routes and fees can change year to year, so edinburghmarathon.com is the authoritative source for entering and for the latest details.
