The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Point-to-point, coastal, mostly flat |
| Start | Holyrood Park, Edinburgh |
| Finish | Musselburgh seafront, East Lothian |
| Registration | Open entry |
| Total Finishers | ~20,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 10-16°C |
| Cutoff Time | 7 hours |
| Free Race Day Transport | Shuttles from finish to Edinburgh |
| Course Certification | UK Athletics certified |
The Edinburgh Marathon runs east from Holyrood Park through the city's east end and along the East Lothian coast to the seafront finish at Musselburgh. The second half is largely flat along the coastal road - one of the fastest stretches of any UK marathon - giving Edinburgh its reputation as a PB course if conditions are right.
The first few kilometres through Edinburgh involve some undulation before the course flattens. The finish at Musselburgh means you are already on the East Lothian coast - well positioned for the post-race excursions east to North Berwick or south into the Scottish Borders.
Entry
The Edinburgh Marathon uses open entry. Registration opens in autumn for the following May race on the official website (edinburghmarathon.com). Places sell out several months before the race. Entry fees are around £55-75 depending on when you register.
Enter now →Race Weekend
Friday: Arrive in Edinburgh. The tram from the airport to Princes Street takes 35 minutes. The Old Town is a 15-minute walk from Waverley station.
Saturday: Expo and number collection. Spend the afternoon walking the Royal Mile or the New Town - both flat at street level. Eat early and plainly.
Sunday (Race Day): Walk or taxi to the Holyrood Park start. The finish is at Musselburgh: shuttle buses and ScotRail trains return you to Edinburgh. Allow an hour for the post-race return journey.
Where to Stay
Stay in the Old Town or New Town. The Holyrood Park start is walkable from both. Avoid the far west of the city - it adds unnecessary distance to the start without benefit.
Edinburgh's grand railway hotel. The clock tower is the city's landmark. Spa and pool on site.
Five interconnected Georgian townhouses around Charlotte Square. Rooftop terrace with castle views.
Design hotel on the Royal Mile. Walking distance to Holyrood Park start.
Reliable mid-range hotel beneath the castle walls. Good value in a central location.
Hostel with private rooms in the historic Cowgate. Best budget option close to the start.
See & Do
Edinburgh rewards slow walking. The Royal Mile runs from the castle to Holyrood Palace on a gradual slope - the Old Town's main axis. Arthur's Seat (the ancient volcano behind Holyrood Palace) involves a genuine climb and is for the recovery days, not race day. The flat alternative: Princes Street Gardens below the castle, and the Georgian grid of the New Town north of Princes Street.
The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street (free) has Scotland's entire natural and cultural history in a single building. The Scottish National Gallery on the Mound (free) has the best collection of European painting in Scotland. Both are flat throughout.
After the Race
Edinburgh's ScotRail network reaches East Lothian, Stirling, and the Borders with short journey times. These itineraries are timed for recovery pace.
The marathon finishes at Musselburgh on the East Lothian coast - North Berwick is another 30 minutes east. Bass Rock's 150,000 northern gannets in full breeding activity. The Lobster Shack on the harbour.
The town that controlled the road between the Highlands and Lowlands. Stirling Castle, the flat riverside path to Cambuskenneth Abbey, and trains onward to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Two nights on the East Lothian coast. Tantallon Castle on the clifftop, Dirleton Castle's 218-metre herbaceous borders, Bass Rock boat trips, and the best beach in East Lothian.
Abbotsford and Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders, then north to Dundee's V&A and the Tay Bridge, then St Andrews and the West Sands - the Chariots of Fire beach.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Edinburgh Marathon?
Stay in central Edinburgh near the Holyrood Park start. The finish is at Musselburgh; shuttle buses and ScotRail trains return runners to the city.
How far in advance should I book a hotel for the Edinburgh Marathon?
Book four to six months in advance. Late May in Edinburgh fills hotels quickly as the tourist season begins.
Is there free transport to the Edinburgh Marathon start?
The Holyrood Park start is a 20-minute walk from the city centre. Shuttles run from the Musselburgh finish back to Edinburgh after the race.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the Edinburgh Marathon?
The Old Town and New Town. Both within walking distance of Holyrood Park and well served by transport for the return from Musselburgh.
When does the Edinburgh Marathon expo open?
The expo and number collection is typically at the EICC or a central venue, Friday and Saturday before race Sunday. Check the official website.
What is the weather like at the Edinburgh Marathon?
Late May: 10 to 16°C at race time. The coastal sections can have an east wind. Edinburgh weather is changeable; check the forecast beforehand.
How do I get from the airport to Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Tram from the airport to Princes Street: 35 minutes. Taxis: approximately 25 minutes. Airlink 100 bus also available.
Is there a bag drop at the Edinburgh Marathon?
Yes. Bag drop is at the Holyrood Park start and transported to the Musselburgh finish.
Should I bring a throwaway layer to the Edinburgh Marathon start?
Yes. May mornings at Holyrood Park can be cold, particularly with an east wind. Bring a layer to discard at the start.
How do I get back after the Edinburgh Marathon?
Shuttle buses run from the Musselburgh finish to Edinburgh city centre. ScotRail trains from Musselburgh to Waverley take approximately 15 minutes.