Edinburgh \u2014 Scotland’s Greatest Running Weekend<\/p>\n
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2026<\/strong> returns over the weekend of 23\u201324 May<\/strong> as Scotland’s biggest \u2014 and the UK’s second biggest behind London \u2014 running event. Voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runner’s World<\/strong>, the EMF has sold out every single year since 2008, drawing over 35,000 runners<\/strong> from across the world to one of Europe’s most dramatic city courses. From the medieval grandeur of Edinburgh Castle<\/strong> and the cobblestones of the Royal Mile to the windswept coastline of East Lothian<\/strong> and the iconic finish at Pinkie Playing Fields, Musselburgh<\/strong>, 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<\/strong> \u2014 as it has been every year since 2008.<\/p>\n 26.2 miMarathon<\/p>\n 35,000+Runners \u2014 2 days<\/p>\n 2008Sold out every year since<\/p>\n \u26a1UK’s fastest marathon (RW)<\/p>\n “Starting on Potterrow with the backdrop of McEwan Hall, past Greyfriars Bobby and Edinburgh Castle, down through Princes Street Gardens \u2014 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.”<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f<\/p>\n Marathon course \u2014 Potterrow \u2192 Musselburgh :<\/strong> Potterrow (McEwan Hall, University of Edinburgh) \u2192 Greyfriars Bobby<\/strong> \u2192 Royal Mile \u2192 St Giles’ Cathedral<\/strong> \u2192 Edinburgh Castle<\/strong> \u2192 the Mound \u2192 New Town \u2192 Princes Street Gardens<\/strong> (Scott Monument) \u2192 Scottish Parliament \u2192 Holyrood Palace<\/strong> \u2192 East along the coast \u2192 Musselburgh<\/strong> (world’s oldest golf course, 1672) \u2192 Gosford House<\/strong> (Robert Adam mansion) \u2192 coastal return \u2192 90m fast descent \u2192 finish: Pinkie Playing Fields, Musselburgh<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Saturday 10K & 5K:<\/strong> Holyrood Park, start\/finish near Dynamic Earth \u2014 panoramic city views and Edinburgh Castle backdrop.<\/p>\n \u23f0<\/p>\n Start times \u2014 Sunday 24 May:<\/strong> Wheelchair Marathon 9:45 AM \u00b7 Half Marathon 8:00 AM<\/strong> \u00b7 Marathon 10:00 AM<\/strong> \u00b7 Hairy Haggis Team Relay 10:00 AM. Saturday 23 May:<\/strong> 10K 9:00 AM \u00b7 5K 11:00 AM \u00b7 Junior 5K (11\u201318 yrs) \u00b7 Junior 2K (9\u201312 yrs) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n Road Running Shoes & Gear \u2014 i-Run<\/p>\n Road shoes for Edinburgh’s fast flat course \u2014 Marathon 26.2mi, Half 13.1mi or 10K through Edinburgh’s historic streets and East Lothian coastline: i-Run, running specialist. Ships worldwide.<\/p>\n