Half Marathon
Sun 26 May 2024 Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

Edinburgh Half Marathon

Just before the Marathon, the Half follows the same fast and flat route from the iconic castle and city sights to the coast for an explosive finish and offers genuine PB potential.

Get charity place
  • Sun 26 May 2024
Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh > Pinkie St Peter's Primary School, Musselburgh

Half Marathon

08:00

£42.25

Age 17 & over

  • 13.1 miles road running

Overview

Scotland's biggest running festival!

40,000 people every year come to the event to enjoy the picturesque views, iconic landmarks and vibrant culture of its stunning capital.

The weekend celebration of running features a range of beautiful routes from the city centre's famous Holyrood Park, including fun runs and 5Ks right up to the headline marathon itself which sells out every year.

Runners and spectators can enjoy panoramic views over the city, Edinburgh Castle and along the East Lothian coastline too.

Highlights

  • fastest marathon in the UK

    Edinburgh Marathon has previously been voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runner’s World and is Scotland's largest mass participation sports event.

  • Bank Holiday festival

    Enjoy a weekend in Scotland's beautiful capital city with events for all ages and abilities with an inclusive focus and uplifting crowd support.

  • landmarks and coast

    With Edinburgh Castle as the stunning backdrop, the routes feature striking panoramic views of the city, historic buildings and the East Lothian coastline.

  • Nine stunning races

    All events benefit from the capital's historic streets and stunning green spaces.

This event is part of Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

Event video

  • All fitness levels
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Teams
  • Wheelchair users

Saturday events

  • 09:00 | 10K
  • 11:00 | 5K
  • 12:00 | Junior 5K
  • 13:00 | 2K Junior
  • 13:30 | 1.5K Junior 
  • 14:00 | Kids Kilometre

Sunday events

  • 08:00 | Half Marathon
  • 10:00 | Marathon
  • 10:00 | Hairy Haggis Team Relay

  • Bag storage
  • Cafe
  • Changing facilities
  • Coast
  • Park
  • Rural
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Dynamic Earth
Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH8 8AS
UK

The Scottish capital is renowned for its heritage and culture, with medieval architecture and cobbled streets helping to create a spellbinding atmosphere. It's the perfect setting for an active festival of running, with each route taking full advantage of its stunning location.

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival offers an ideal opportunity to explore the historic streets on closed roads and enjoy a Bank Holiday weekend in the Scottish capital.

  • Cut off time
  • Distance markers
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • PB
  • Point to point
  • Return transport
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Wave start

Route highlights

  • Start at Potterow, in the grounds of Edinburgh University
  • Stride through the city centre, passing under the famous Edinburgh Castle
  • Soak up the atmosphere as you run down the Royal Mile
  • Enjoy coastal views as you pass Portobello Beach
  • Pass the historic Old Links Golf Course at Musselburgh
  • Arrive to a rapturous welcome at the finish line in Musselburgh
Edinburgh Marathon Festival Half Marathon route map
EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL HALF MARATHON ROUTE MAP
Flat and fast from capital to coast.

Route description

Starting on Holyrood Park Road with the picturesque backdrop of Holyrood Park, this incredible city centre route brings you past the impressive Surgeons' Hall, designed by William Henry Playfair in 1832.

This part of city is a fabulous mix of history, and festival culture. You will run past Scotland's premier dance and opera house, the Festival Theatre, which comes alive with a variety of world-class productions, particularly during the summer festival months.

The route then turns right, and meanders down the historic Royal Mile, heading towards and past the somewhat controversial Scottish Parliament building. Here you can look up and take in the spectacular Arthurs Seat and Salisbury Crags, as well as the Palace of Holyrood, before departing the Royal Park and heading east towards the coast.

The controversial Scottish Parliament building
Head east towards the coast

As you reach Musselburgh, you’ll run past the oldest golf course in the world, where it’s documented that golf has been played as early as 1672, before heading further East on the flat towards the historic village of Prestonpans before turning and heading back towards the beautiful finish line within the vast playing fields of Pinkie School.

With a descent of almost 90 metres to near sea level, it has been said that this is the fastest half marathon route in the world.

Cut off

There is a strict cut off time of 3 hours 15 minutes for the half marathon (from when the back of the race crosses the start line).

  • Public transport links
  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy

Sustainability overview

This event is committed to minimising the impact it has on the local environment, implemented in the following ways:

  • Online entries rather than paper forms
  • Marketing material online rather than flyers and posters
  • Runner information online rather than printed
  • Public transport encouraged
  • Communication with residents and business regarding road closures, to reduce traffic congestion
  • Reduce noise pollution
  • All waste collected and recycled/repurposed wherever possible
  • Unused food donated to food bank

  • Chip timing
  • Medal
  • Technical t-shirt

Included

  • Wicking finisher's t-shirt
  • Finisher's medal and distance keyring
  • Finisher's pack
  • Personalised event number with accurate timing chip
  • Event baggage facilities
  • Hydration on route
  • Hydration and nutrition at the finish
  • Results posted in your account within 48 hours
  • Fantastic running experience

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Health and Medical

JDRF

Improving lives. Curing type 1 diabetes.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£250

Cancer

Target Ovarian Cancer

Raise awareness, fund research and save lives.

  • T-shirt
  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£250

Children

Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity

Supporting every baby, child, young person and family in Edinburgh's Children's Hospital to help make time spent in hospital better.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£275

Health and Medical

MS Society

For a world free from the effects of MS.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£300

Mental health

SANE

Supporting those affected by mental illness to change mental health for good.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising incentives
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£275

Animals

Cats Protection

For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

  • Running vest
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£375

Dementia

Alzheimer's Research UK

Funding world-class scientific research to make breakthroughs possible.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£300

Cancer

Blood Cancer UK

The blood cancer research charity.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£10

Fundraise
£300

International

WaterAid

Providing clean water and decent toilets to everyone, everywhere.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Pre-event training sessions

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£300

Heart

Cardiomyopathy UK

Providing information and support to sufferers of this incurable disease which could affect anyone of any age.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£350

Children

Make-A-Wish UK

Creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£300

International

Open Arms Malawi

Building brighter futures for vulnerable children in Malawi so they can grow up healthy and supported in a loving family home.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£350

Hospice

Sue Ryder

Giving people compassion and expert care to help them live the best life they can.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£300

Disability

Whizz-Kidz

Whizz Kidz creates opportunities for young wheelchair users to get the equipment, skills and confidence to go further.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£350

Children

Sands

Reducing the number of baby deaths.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£300

Cancer

Prostate Cancer UK

Funding research to stop prostate cancer killing men.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Exclusive social group
  • Certificate

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£200

International

British Red Cross

Helping people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Dedicated contact
  • Pre-event meet-ups
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Exclusive social group
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£29

Fundraise
£400

Free sign up Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support

No one should have to face cancer alone.

  • T-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Post-race reception
  • Refreshments
  • Free massage

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£300

Children

Smile Train

Supporting cleft surgery and other forms of essential comprehensive cleft care.

  • Running vest
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Supporter cheer packs
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Exclusive social group
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£300

Heart

British Heart Foundation

Coronary heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer but the BHF is leading the fight against it.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£250

Children

NSPCC

Every childhood is worth fighting for.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£250

Health and Medical

Cure Parkinson's

Here for the cure; working with urgency to find new treatments to slow, stop and reverse Parkinson’s.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£300

Health and Medical

Parkinson's UK

Find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£250

Mental health

Samaritans

Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year providing a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Supporter cheer packs
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£300

Animals

Dogs Trust

Running rehoming centres to save over 16,000 abandoned dogs annually.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£350

Cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

Beating bowel cancer together.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£350

Health and Medical

Stroke Association

Rebuilding lives after stroke.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Exclusive social group
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£295

Children

Dreams Come True

Making dreams come true to bring joy to seriously ill children.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£275

Free sign up Homelessness

Missing People

The only UK charity that reunites missing children and adults with their loved ones.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£300

  • Age 17 & over
  • Entries open
  • Charity entries open
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Race pack by post

Entry fees

Entry fee

£42.25

... I really enjoyed the event. It was well organised and I liked the course which started up by the university and then had a 5 mile downhill run through the city to the coast, followed by an out and back coastal section which was pretty flat.

Really enjoyed this run. Beautiful settings and a fantastic atmosphere.

It's true that this is a perfect race for chasing PBs - I got one today and I hadn't trained as much as I should have.

Couldn’t have picked a better location for my first marathon! Amazing atmosphere with super helpful marshals and wonderful support from spectators especially the welcoming locals who utterly emmersed themselves in the event and were out in their hundreds. Topped off by lovely finish crew who didn’t mind being hugged and sobbed over ecstatically!! and the most beautiful medal and lovely (perfectly fitted) finishers shirt! The route itself took you through lovely historical parts of the city and then out across the gorgeous coast before returning to the city for a rapturous welcome (despite the crazy headwind sclong the final four miles!) Terrific choice of route and I bet an experienced marathoner could get quite a pace as it’s relatively flat. A most excellent event and definitely one to recommend!

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck