Southampton · United Kingdom
Marathon races near Southampton
10 races in 2026
next one in 27 days
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Race calendar
Upcoming Marathon races near Southampton
JUL 1
28JUL
Run · trail · Marathon
Round Reading Ultra Marathon
Reading · 68 km away
AUG 3
9AUG
Run · road · Marathon
Newbury Racecourse 5K, 10K & Half Marathon August
RG14 7PN · 56 km away
22AUG
Run · trail · Marathon
Trail Trot 5K, 10K, Marathon & Ultra
Lancing · 78 km away
23AUG
Run · trail · Marathon
Big Pilgrimage
Southampton · 1 km away
SEP 6
11SEP
Run · trail · Marathon
Shere 42K, Half Marathon & 10K
Shere · 78 km away
+5 more Marathon racesShow fewer ↓
13SEP
Run · road · Marathon
Farnham Pilgrim Marathon & Half Marathon
Surrey · 57 km away
13SEP
Run · road · Marathon
New Forest Marathon
Hampshire · 15 km away
13SEP
Run · road · Marathon
Garmin New Forest Marathon
Brockenhurst · 15 km away
19SEP
Run · trail · Marathon
100 Marathon Club AGM Run
Newbury · 53 km away
20SEP
Run · road · Marathon
The Purbeck Marathon
Dorset · 52 km away
Southampton · 80 km
10 races mapped
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Recurring Marathon races near Southampton
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Running Grand Prix Goodwood October
Green Mile Day Marathon
The Green Mile Day Marathon is run inside the former HMP Dorchester in Dorchester, Dorset, England, with the start listed at postcode DT1 1JD. The main race is a full marathon of 42.195 km, and the event also offers an 83 km road race and a night option.
The prison setting is the point: the marathon stays completely inside the prison, which the organisers describe as the only marathon in the world run entirely within one. Runners can tackle gruelling stairs in daylight, in the dark, or both, and the programme includes a spooky Halloween evening edition for anyone who wants the prison atmosphere turned up another notch.
New Forest Xmas Trails
New Forest Xmas Trails begins and ends at Holmesly Campsite in Bransgore, situated on the boundary of the New Forest National Park. This event, organized by BigFeat Events, offers winter off-road running with 15 km, 30 km, marathon, and 50 km distances. All races are single-lap courses that are fully marked. The event is presented as a Christmas trail-running festival and a final significant run prior to the holiday period.
The courses depart from the campsite, venturing onto New Forest heathland and woodland, where winter conditions are an intended aspect of the challenge. The routes are characterized as demanding yet traversable, suitable for runners seeking authentic trail conditions without a multi-lap structure. BigFeat states the event was conceived by trail runners for trail runners, and the practical arrangements include complimentary hard-standing parking at Holmesly Campsite.
Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon
The Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon is a winter race weekend on England's south coast, centered on the Southsea seafront in Portsmouth. Participants can select from a marathon, half marathon, and shorter distances like 12K. Some editions of the series also feature a 50K ultra. The courses are flat, incorporating promenade, waterfront paths, coastal tracks, and multi-terrain sections, rather than being purely road races.
The marathon begins seaside at Southsea, proceeding out and back towards Hayling Island. The route traces the edge of Langstone Harbour and other shoreline segments around Portsmouth. Runners will find expansive views across the Solent, extensive harbour running, well-supplied aid stations, and finish medals. The event embraces its winter timing with a festive atmosphere, and the broader Southsea event schedule includes fireworks over Southsea Common.
BigMud Trails (EARTH)
BigMud is the Earth race in the Classic Element Trail Series, a collection of four trail events themed around Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. It starts at Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire, offering three single-lap options: a 50K ultramarathon, a marathon, and a 16-mile race. The event occurs early in the series, embracing muddy winter trail running over road speed or flat pacing.
The routes venture into the Meon Valley and traverse the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. Every distance involves the 518ft ascent to Butser Hill, the highest point in the South Downs, which runners climb twice before returning to Queen Elizabeth Country Park at the hill's base. The race is in its sixth year, does not permit canicross entries, and requires each runner to carry a minimum of 500ml of fluid, with hydration vests frequently used and handheld soft flasks permitted.
Running GP at Goodwood Motor Circuit February 2027
This winter marathon takes place at Goodwood Motor Circuit. Runners complete 26.2 miles on the closed racing circuit typically used for motorsport. The course is flat, situated at the foot of the Sussex Downs. Its appeal lies in offering a measured marathon on smooth circuit roads, distinct from a point-to-point road race through town streets.
The marathon is included in the Goodwood House Running Grand Prix series, which also features half marathon, 10k, and 5k races. This format benefits mixed groups, allowing marathon participants to run alongside friends completing shorter distances, all within the Goodwood venue.
BigMud Trails
BigMud Trails begins and ends at Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire. Runners immediately face a steep ascent up Butser Hill, the highest point in the South Downs. This is a winter trail event held in the Meon Valley, offering 50K, marathon, and 16-mile distances on single-lap courses within the South Downs National Park.
The route includes undulating terrain, woodland paths, sharp ascents, fast-running stretches, and significant mud. Butser Hill is tackled twice before the finish line at its base. BigMud represents the Earth race in the Classic Element Trail Series, a quartet of events themed around Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. This event is now in its sixth year. The clearly marked course, provision of aid stations, and the start and finish being at the same location simplify logistics. However, the challenging terrain is the primary attraction for participants seeking a demanding race over a flat, quick course.
Larmer Tree Marathon, 20 Miler, Half Marathon
The Larmer Tree race series takes place at Larmer Tree Gardens on the Rushmore Estate, featuring trail races across the Wiltshire Downs in spring. Participants can choose from a marathon, a 20-miler, and a half marathon, with 7-mile and 10-mile routes also available during the same weekend. This event is a small, family-friendly gathering, attracting a few hundred runners for each of the three main distances, unlike large city races. The setting provides a distinctive atmosphere; Larmer Tree Gardens is an elegant country estate, and the organizers humorously refer to using the Rushmore Estate’s “backyard” for the race routes.
The courses consist of hilly trail routes, and the terrain can become muddy based on weather conditions, making it more of a countryside run than a quick road race. The shorter 7-mile and 10-mile races are suitable for beginners and include dog-friendly options, while the half marathon and 20-miler serve as good early-season training for runners preparing for a marathon. The marathon covers the full 26.2 miles, and all finishers in the main races are awarded peacock-shaped medals, each distance featuring a unique design. The event spans Saturday and Sunday, with the marathon, 20-miler, and 7-mile race on Saturday, and the half marathon, 10-mile race, and a dog-friendly 10-mile race on Sunday.
Larmer Tree Marathon, 20 Miler, Half Marathon & 10K
The Larmer Tree races start and finish at Larmer Tree Gardens on the Rushmore Estate, with spring trail races across the Wiltshire Downs. The series is family friendly and offers several distances: 7 miles, 10 miles, half marathon, 20 miles, and marathon. Dog-friendly 7-mile and 10-mile options are also scheduled.
The routes use the private Rushmore Estate grounds, giving the event a country-estate feel. Runners should expect hills, and the ground can be muddy after wet weather. Shorter routes are suitable for newer trail runners, while the half marathon and 20-mile races are good for those building toward marathon season. Larmer Tree Gardens has been described as one of Britain’s poshest race venues, an unusual base for a muddy spring trail weekend.
Looking for something else near Southampton?
Other races in the next 90 days
JUL 237 km away
cycling
North Hampshire RC Club Dummer 18.9
JUL 455 km away
walking
Jurassic Coast Mighty Hike
JUL 474 km away
cycling
Crawley Wheelers 10
JUL 530 km away
cycling
Alton Cycling Club TT Championship
JUL 931 km away
cycling
Wightlink CRT 3-up TTT Club 10
JUL 917 km away
cycling
Fareham Wheelers CC Club 10
JUL 1228 km away
cycling
Jubilee Rumble Strip 10
JUL 1257 km away
cycling
Reading CC 10
About Marathon races in Southampton
Southampton Training Notes
Southampton hosts 19 Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
Southampton Common is the default start line for base miles, parkrun, and midweek intervals. The classic loop gives locals 2-5 km on traffic-free tarmac and gravel, while the lakes and woodland route gives 5-7 km past small woodland paths and lake circuits. The Central Parks chain links Watts, East, Palmerston, Houndwell, and Hoglands for flat city-centre miles. Ocean Village to Mayflower Park gives 4-7 km with cruise ships and ferries as moving landmarks. Lordshill Road Runners meet Monday evenings at Taunton's College, and ABP Southampton Marathon Festival anchors the year.
Southampton riders get useful Z2 from the Southampton Cycle Network, especially routes 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 through Western, Eastern, Northern, and Bevois Valley lines. Southampton University Road Club rides Wednesdays and Sunday mornings from the Redbrick, outside Chaimberlain Halls, or behind the Shell Garage at the top of the Avenue. Southampton CTC covers Southampton, Romsey, Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford, and Waterside, with rides from 10 to 50+ miles. Mottisfont gives riders a 27mi round trip with 36% traffic-free. Old Winchester Hill is where locals go when flat legs need climbing work.
May, June, July, August, and September are the cleanest months for stacking run volume and long rides. Southampton's sheltered, low-lying spot near Southampton Water keeps summer training warm by UK standards, and the city has held the UK June temperature record since 1976. Locals keep summer evenings simple with waterfront runs, Common laps, club rides, and steady Z2 toward Netley Abbey, Romsey, or Mottisfont. Winter changes the surface choice more than the mindset, so runners lean on tarmac, compacted gravel, and Common sessions while riders keep the cycle network, CTC miles, and shorter endurance loops ticking over.