The Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2026 is a premier spring running event in Scotland, featuring a range of races from the full marathon and half marathon to team relays, 10K, 5K, and junior distances. Held over a weekend in May, it’s one of the UK’s fastest and most scenic festivals, showcasing iconic city routes and coastal scenery.

Key Details

• Dates & Times

  • Saturday, 23 May 2026:

    • EMF 10K — 9:00 AM

    • EMF 5K — 11:00 AM

    • EMF Junior 5K, 2K, 1.5K, and Kids Kilometre — midday through early afternoon stride-outs

  • Sunday, 24 May 2026:

    • Half Marathon — starts around 8:00 AM

    • Full Marathon — starts at 10:00 AM

    • Team Relay — starts same time as marathon

• Location – Edinburgh and East Lothian region—city start points leading out toward Musselburgh and the coast

• Event Types – Road races featuring:

  • Marathon (26.2 miles)

  • Half Marathon (13.1 miles)

  • Team Relay

  • 10K

  • 5K

  • Junior races and Kids Kilometre

• Organiser
  GSi Events Ltd (Edinburgh Marathon Festival) in partnership with Scottish Athletics

Race Description

These fast, flat courses are regularly ranked among the UK’s best for personal bests, drawing participants from beginners to seasoned runners. Routes pass through Edinburgh’s historic streets and out toward East Lothian – offering sweeping coastal views and finishes in Musselburgh.

What’s Included

• Finisher’s medal—plus t-shirt or other memento (depending on distance)

• Chip timing and live tracking

• Hydration stations and on-course support

• Event logistics including marshalling, medical support, and baggage services

• A festive event village for participants and supporters post-race

Additional Information

• Charity Participation
  Many participants run through charity partners, with varied registration fees and minimum fundraising targets—for example:

  • Marathon: registration from ~£40; sponsorship from ~£500

  • Half Marathon: from ~£35; sponsorship from ~£350

• Age Requirements

  • Marathon: 18+

  • Half Marathon: 17+

  • 10K: 15+

  • 5K: 11+

• Cut-off Times
  Full details depend on race and segment; generally, a window of several hours is permitted before course closure—common in large-scale UK road races.

Join the Festival
Whether you’re chasing a marathon PB, tackling your first half, or engaging the family with junior races, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2026 spans 23–24 May and delivers unmatched courses, festive atmosphere, and scenic variety. Sign up for your preferred distance now!