Yorkshire Marathon: Complete Training and Race Guide

What is the Yorkshire Marathon?

The Yorkshire Marathon is a 26.2 mile road marathon based in the city of York, organised by Jane Tomlinson's Run For All. It was first held in 2013 and has grown into one of the best loved autumn marathons in the north of England. The event is currently titled the Altra Yorkshire Marathon after its footwear sponsor, and it runs each October, so it sits neatly at the end of the traditional summer training block.

On the same day there is also a Yorkshire 10 Mile, which shares the same event village and start area. That shorter distance is a great option if you are building towards a marathon in a future year, running with less experienced friends, or simply prefer a challenge you can complete in a morning. A marathon relay is also offered for teams who want to split the full distance between them.

Everything below reflects what we could confirm as of July 2026. Race details such as dates, entry fees and field sizes change year to year, so always check the official site before you commit.

Key facts at a glance

What is the route like?

The course starts at the University of York and quickly heads towards the city centre, passing through the medieval walls and by the iconic York Minster in the first few miles. Running past the Minster with crowds lining the narrow streets is one of the signature moments of the day, so it is worth soaking it in rather than chasing pace too hard early on.

From there the route heads out of the city and loops through quiet Vale of York villages such as Stockton-on-the-Forest and Sand Hutton, reaching its furthest point around Stamford Bridge before turning back towards the campus finish. The roads are largely flat and fast with only gentle undulations, which is a big part of why so many runners target the Yorkshire Marathon for a personal best. That said, the exposed country lanes in the second half can catch a headwind, so it pays to run the early miles with discipline and keep something in reserve.

The finish back at the university event village is well supported, with the closing stretch giving you a lift for the final push. The 10 Mile event shares the same buzzing start and finish area, so supporters can watch both distances from one spot.

How do you get a place?

General entry opens online through the official organiser and is handled on the Run For All website. Head to yorkshiremarathon.co.uk, choose your distance, and follow the entry link to complete registration. Popular UK marathons often sell out well before race day, so if you have set your heart on running it is sensible to enter early rather than leaving it to the final weeks.

If general entry has closed, charity places are another route in. A number of charities take on guaranteed places and offer them in return for fundraising, which is a rewarding way to run and to support a cause you care about. Entrants need to be 18 or over on race day, and your entry typically includes chip timing, a finisher's medal and a goody bag.

Entry fees are set by the organiser and are shown at checkout on the official entry portal. Because prices and entry windows move from year to year, we are not quoting a fixed fee here. Check the official site for the current price and any early bird windows before you book.

How should you train for a marathon?

A marathon rewards patient, consistent training. The plan below assumes you already have a running base of a few months and can comfortably run for around an hour before you start. It runs for 16 weeks and builds your long run gradually, with an easier week roughly every fourth week to let your body absorb the work, followed by a two to three week taper so you arrive fresh.

Most of your running should feel easy and conversational. The single weekly session adds a little quality, whether that is tempo running, intervals or marathon pace practice, and the long run is the cornerstone that teaches your body to keep going. Strength and mobility work is widely recommended to support marathon training, help you hold form when tired and keep niggles at bay, so aim to fit in one or two short sessions each week around your runs.

Treat the plan as a guide rather than a rigid rulebook. Build up gradually, and if you pick up pain, an injury or have any health condition, see a physiotherapist or your GP before pushing on. Missing the odd session matters far less than staying healthy across the whole block.

How should you pace it?

The Yorkshire Marathon is a fast course, which makes the temptation to go out hard very real. The most common mistake is banking time in the opening miles while the crowds are loud and the legs feel fresh. A far better approach is to start a touch slower than your goal pace for the first three to four miles, settle in, and let the effort feel almost too easy early on.

Aim to run even splits or a gentle negative split, where the second half is as quick or slightly quicker than the first. Practise your race pace and your fuelling in training so that taking on carbohydrate and fluid on the move feels routine. Many runners aim for a small amount of carbohydrate every few miles, along with water at the drink stations. The exposed second half means wind can be a factor, so tuck in with other runners where you can and stay relaxed rather than fighting it.

If it is your first marathon, let go of a strict time target and focus on finishing strong. Pacing groups are often available and can take the mental load off holding an even effort for you.

What should you know on race day?

Plan your travel to the University of York in advance, as road closures around the course affect access and the start area gets busy. Arrive early, allow time for the bag drop and the toilet queues, and get into your start pen in good time for the 09:30 gun. October mornings in Yorkshire can be cold at the start and mild later, so a cheap throwaway layer over your kit keeps you warm before the off.

Nothing new on race day is the golden rule. Wear the shoes, socks and kit you have already run long in, and eat a breakfast you have tested in training. Have your gels or chews to hand and know roughly where the drink stations sit on the course. A simple pacing plan written on your arm or set on your watch takes the guesswork out of the early miles.

After you cross the line, keep moving gently, grab your medal and goody bag, refuel and find your supporters at the event village. Then give yourself proper recovery time in the days that follow, with easy movement, good food and sleep doing the heavy lifting.

Frequently asked questions

Race details confirmed as of July 2026 with the official organiser, Run For All. Dates, entry fees, entry windows and field sizes change from year to year, so please check yorkshiremarathon.co.uk for the latest information before entering. This guide is general information and not medical advice.