Experience the Edinburgh Marathon Festival
Once a year, thousands upon thousands of runners descend upon Edinburgh for a weekend of fun, festivities and sweat, all in the name of charity. With a wide range of races and distances on offer, there’s an event to suit runners of all ages and abilities, whatever your training programme.
Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat
- Join 1,000's of other like-minded individuals
- Enjoy a 5K around Holyrood Park at the base of Arthur's Seat
- Fast course, perfect for a PB
- Incredibly uplifting support from the locals
Flat, fast, coastal route
Runners start on Queens Drive passing St. Margaret’s Loch after 0.5K before starting the ascent around the east side of Arthur’s Seat. You'll then pass Dunsapie Loch at around 2K.
On the far side of Arthur’s Seat approaching the halfway point, runners can enjoy spectacular views of Duddingston Loch, the southside of Edinburgh and beyond towards the Pentland Hills - all with the knowledge that the rest of the route is flat and downhill!
Arthur's Seat - an extinct volcano which forms most of Holyrood Park. Dynamic Earth, home to the EMF Hub, sits at its base.
Also happening that weekend
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival has a choice of runs making it open to a wide range of ages and abilities, including:
Make a weekend of it in Edinburgh
For one weekend in May, in a city famous for its culture and festivals, running and raising money is the talk of the town. Why not spend the weekend exploring everything Edinburgh has to offer, including this epic running festival!
Make sure to visit the historic fortress of Edinburgh Castle for a great family day out.
"Beautiful scenery and wonderful crowds!"
"Lovely community feel of togetherness - great!" - Eileen Clark, Edinburgh
"I had such an amazing time & the people of Edinburgh are what has made me get through it! Thank you so much & I won't be forgetting my first marathon, so glad I got to do it in Edinburgh!" - Catherine Marshall
Run for charity
Charities depend on the goodwill and effort of their supporters to survive, so make your race day a true cause for celebration by choosing to run the Edinburgh 5K for one of the many worthy causes.
Race day rewards
- A wicking technical finishers t-shirt
- Accurate chip timing
- Training plan based on your fitness level
- Great medal
- Results posted on the website within 48 hrs
- Race recovery pack
- A fantastic running experience!
Run for Marie Curie