Edinburgh Marathon
A fast, net-downhill marathon from Edinburgh's historic heart to the East Lothian coastline.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Late May
42.195 km
70 m
~13,680 athletes
Course Highlights
- Edinburgh Castle backdrop at the start
- Georgian New Town architecture
- East Lothian coastal roads
- Musselburgh shoreline in the final miles
- Pinkie Playing Fields finish
The Course
The Edinburgh Marathon begins near the foot of Edinburgh Castle and heads east through the city's Georgian New Town before dropping toward the coast. The opening miles pass through grand avenues lined with period architecture, and runners quickly settle into a rhythm on the gently descending terrain. The net elevation drop of roughly 70 meters means the course trends downhill without punishing descents, though a few undulations keep things honest through the midway point.
As the route leaves the city, the landscape opens up into rolling farmland and the East Lothian coastline comes into view. The second half follows quiet coastal roads with sea breezes and long sightlines that help runners gauge their effort. Spectator support thins out in these rural stretches, so mental preparation for self-reliance is important.
The final miles trace the shore near Musselburgh before the finish at Pinkie Playing Fields. The combination of a fast profile, cool late-May temperatures, and relatively low congestion makes Edinburgh a smart choice for runners chasing qualifying times or personal records.
History
The Edinburgh Marathon dates back to 1982, though it gained significant momentum when it was relaunched as part of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in 2003. The festival format expanded the weekend to include a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and junior events, transforming it into one of the UK's premier multi-distance running weekends.
The event regularly attracts over 30,000 participants across all distances, with the marathon itself drawing upward of 13,000 runners. Its reputation as a fast, accessible course has made it a favorite among UK club runners seeking Boston qualifying times, and the late-May date slots neatly into spring marathon training cycles.
How to Train for Edinburgh
Train your quads for downhill
The net-downhill profile is a gift for your finishing time but a tax on your quadriceps. Include regular downhill repeats in your long runs to prepare for the eccentric loading. Runners who skip this work often hit a wall in the final flat miles when their quads seize up.
Prepare for coastal wind
The second half of the course runs along exposed coastal roads where headwinds or crosswinds are common. Practice running in windy conditions and consider drafting behind a group to conserve energy through the East Lothian stretch.
Manage the quiet miles
Spectator support drops off significantly once the course leaves Edinburgh. Develop a mental strategy for the rural middle miles, whether that is breaking the course into segments, using a mantra, or focusing on the runners around you.
Do not bank time early
The downhill opening is tempting, but going out too fast will destroy your legs for the flatter second half. Run the first ten kilometers at or slightly slower than goal pace and let the course do the work.
Free training plans
Half marathon to marathon
A free 16-week plan to step up from the half to the full marathon: five runs a week and a long run that builds from 1h 40m to 3 hours.
16 weeksMarathon (16 weeks)
A free 16-week marathon plan: six runs a week, a long run that builds to 2h 45m, a recovery week every fourth week, a peak in week 13 and a three-week taper.
16 weeksMarathon (20 weeks)
A free 20-week marathon plan with a gentle build: five runs a week, a long run that grows to 3 hours, a recovery week every fourth week and a three-week taper.
20 weeksSub-4 hour marathon
A free 16-week plan to break 4 hours in the marathon: six runs a week, goal-pace sessions at 5:41 per km (9:09 per mile) and long runs to 3h 10m.
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