Marathon races near Edinburgh
Upcoming Marathon races near Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Training Notes
Edinburgh hosts 3 Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
Locals use The Meadows for easy laps, then go straight to Holyrood park when intervals need teeth. Arthur's Seat Loop gives about 5km and still feels like a lung busting effort to the top. Hermitage of Braid gives about 10km, and this route can get a bit mushy. Cramond & Water of Leith gives about 25km, with Murrayfield Stadium, Dean Village and Leith Docks on the way. Social Group Running meets Tuesdays at 6:15 PM BST at Bruntsfield Place. West Edinburgh Running Club meets Thursdays at 6:30 PM at Saughton Park. Edinburgh Marathon Festival, Kilomathon 13.1K and Seven Hills of Edinburgh The Challenge are the anchor events.
Locals ride the old railway lines first, because disused railway lines have become traffic-free shared bike paths. The Innocent railway bike path runs from the city centre to Musselburgh, and NCN1 and NCN75 take Z2 rides further out. Ronde Cycling Club leaves from Gamma Transport Division in Stockbridge and runs Saturday rides for members and prospective joiners. Edinburgh Road Club covers road, gravel, mountain biking, cyclocross, time trial, track and triathlon. East Lothian coastal route rolls for 75km and climbs 544m with a max grade of 10.6%. Lothian Loop stacks 101km and 1297m, and the climbs bite around Drem, Roslin Glen, the Pentland Hills and Lomond Hills. Route Zero - Edinburgh and Rat Race 100 - Bamburgh to Edinburgh sit on the calendar.
June suits Edinburgh training best, because Seven Hills lands then and summer temperatures stay moderate. Summer gives runners the coast towards Musselburgh, Prestonpans and North Berwick for base miles, plus hard-packed sand near Yellowcraig when the tide behaves. Summer gives riders Portobello Beach Visit, Gladhouse Reservoir and the Pencaitland Railway bike path for smoother days. Winter changes the kit and the judgement. Runners still get roads, trails, hills and flats, but beach wind can catch you off guard. Cyclists need layers, gloves, socks and good lights, and locals avoid Roseburn and the canal when icy because those paths are not gritted.