Edinburgh — Scotland’s Greatest Running Weekend
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2026 returns over the weekend of 23–24 May as Scotland’s biggest — and the UK’s second biggest behind London — running event. Voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runner’s World, the EMF has sold out every single year since 2008, drawing over 35,000 runners from across the world to one of Europe’s most dramatic city courses. From the medieval grandeur of Edinburgh Castle and the cobblestones of the Royal Mile to the windswept coastline of East Lothian and the iconic finish at Pinkie Playing Fields, Musselburgh, this is a PB course unlike any other. The extraordinary 90-metre descent to near sea level at the finish is alone worth the entry fee. Sold out — as it has been every year since 2008.
26.2 miMarathon
35,000+Runners — 2 days
2008Sold out every year since
⚡UK’s fastest marathon (RW)
“Starting on Potterrow with the backdrop of McEwan Hall, past Greyfriars Bobby and Edinburgh Castle, down through Princes Street Gardens — then the long, flat coastal miles to Musselburgh with that glorious 90-metre descent to the finish. The Edinburgh Marathon is a PB machine set against Scotland at its very finest.”
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Marathon course — Potterrow → Musselburgh : Potterrow (McEwan Hall, University of Edinburgh) → Greyfriars Bobby → Royal Mile → St Giles’ Cathedral → Edinburgh Castle → the Mound → New Town → Princes Street Gardens (Scott Monument) → Scottish Parliament → Holyrood Palace → East along the coast → Musselburgh (world’s oldest golf course, 1672) → Gosford House (Robert Adam mansion) → coastal return → 90m fast descent → finish: Pinkie Playing Fields, Musselburgh.
Saturday 10K & 5K: Holyrood Park, start/finish near Dynamic Earth — panoramic city views and Edinburgh Castle backdrop.
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Start times — Sunday 24 May: Wheelchair Marathon 9:45 AM · Half Marathon 8:00 AM · Marathon 10:00 AM · Hairy Haggis Team Relay 10:00 AM. Saturday 23 May: 10K 9:00 AM · 5K 11:00 AM · Junior 5K (11–18 yrs) · Junior 2K (9–12 yrs) — all Holyrood Park. Time limit: 7 hours. Transport: EMF Event Buses, Park & Ride (Newcraighall, Straiton, Sheriffhall, Wallyford). No parking at Musselburgh finish. Finishers pack: wicking t-shirt, medal, distance keyring, baggage, hydration, gels. Results within 48 hours.
Road Running Shoes & Gear — i-Run
Road shoes for Edinburgh’s fast flat course — Marathon 26.2mi, Half 13.1mi or 10K through Edinburgh’s historic streets and East Lothian coastline: i-Run, running specialist. Ships worldwide.
Race Weekend — 23–24 May 2026