Back

Edinburgh Marathon

Event Info Results News & Press Releases Reviews

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

Event information

Edinburgh Marathon

May 27, 2012

2.8

Where

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Start time

06:00

Distances

Marathon

Sub-events

26.2

Marathon

May 27, 2012 Sunday

Distance: Marathon·Start time: 06:00

MarathonPoint to pointRun/Walk

Race Details

Contact Race Organizer

Are you the Race Director for this event?

Do you need to update the information? Please let us know

Training Plan

Free 20 week Basic Marathon Training Plan

A detailed plan created by our Head Coach designed for help you prepare for your first marathon.

Download now

Reviews

2.8

Based on 3 Reviews from other runners - tap or click to see all!

By: Glen H.

Posted: October 05, 2023

Scotland's biggest marathon deserves better

The course itself is quite unique with a sprint downhill for the first 2.5km (going primarily downhill for the first 8km), a nice long stretch along the coast before returning to the mid-way mark of the marathon. It would be nice if the race returned to the centre of the city (where it starts), but it is still a pleasant course. The biggest gripe of this race was echoed in previous comments - the fact that all participants must walk 30-45 minutes after running the full marathon to the bus shuttles (which is not included in the registration price and must be paid separately).

3.3

By: Bill B.

Posted: June 12, 2023

Don't Pay to Ride the Bus

An overall good marathon. Many have complained that the course does not include much of the city, but with those hills in the city, I understand the course design. I thought that the course was generally scenic, but very narrow in spots and that required me to alter my pace and to weave through traffic. The most common complaint from past years remains-the harrowing walk to the race sanctioned buses. I paid my money, but discovered that for half the cost, I could take readily accessible public buses without walking to the race bus terminal. These buses also dropped me much closer to my hotel that the race buses would. Lesson learned, please don't make the same mistake. Take a credit card and jump on public transport instead. The rest of the race was fine. There was nothing extraordinarily good or bad about the rest of the race in my opinion. Edinburgh is a breathtakingly beautiful city and I was glad that I chose it as my first international marathon. Innis and Gunn Brewery is a great choice for post race hydration.

3.7

By: Rick C.

Posted: June 12, 2022

Just okay-would NOT do this one again.

Having run over 30 marathons in the U.S. and Europe, this was NOT one of my favorites. While the course was mostly flat and quite picturesque, the fan support was just okay, and the support for runners was awful. No electrolyte drinks were offered along the entire course. In the US, most marathons offer water AND Gatorade every 2 miles or so. In Edinburgh, we were given a 10 Oz water bottle only every three miles and a few liquidy High-5 gels late in the race. There is no shade along the course, and ours was a very sunny day. After the race, all we received was another small water bottle and a single granola bar! Really?! There were a few food trucks (better bring your credit card&the food is not free). Once you finish, you have to walk another mile and a half to buses that drive you another 40 minutes back to the city. The logistics here are terrible. They should design an out and back course so the buses are not necessary.

2.0

Write a review

Training Tips

The 4-Week Taper Blueprint: How to Reduce Mileage Before Race Day Without Losing Your Edge You’ve logged the miles, endured the long runs, and pushed through more early mornings than you’d care to count. Now, with race day approaching,...

Jun 8, 2026

The Hidden Injury You’re Ignoring: Why IT Band Syndrome Derails Marathoners and How to Stop It You’ve logged the miles, built your base, and finally feel like a real marathoner — until a sharp, burning sensation flares up on the outside of your knee, and...

Jun 1, 2026

Fueling the Long Run: A Race-Tested Nutrition Plan for Miles 1–26.2 Running a marathon is a 26.2-mile test of endurance, determination, and — often underestimated — nutrition strategy. No matter how well your legs are trained,...

May 25, 2026

See all training articles

Scotland's capital city was voted the second best destination in the UK for a city marathon, behind only London and ahead of Brighton, Dublin, Liverpool, as well as Manchester. The award by Running Fitness magazine builds on the Edinburgh Marathon's recent success after the race joined the world's elite road races by becoming the first in Scotland to be officially recognized by the IAAF, the athletics governing body.

General News

Oct 02, 2012

Edinburgh Marathon is Officially on the Map as One of the Leading Road Races in the World

Scotland's capital joins cities including London, New York, Tokyo and Paris to earn the prestigious road race label from the International Association of Athletics Federations. The elite scheme was started in 2008 to recognise top road races.

General News

Sep 25, 2012

Edinburgh Marathon Organizers In Medal Cock-Up

Runners in the Edinburgh Marathon were a little red-faced when receiving their medal at the finish line. The phallic shaped finishers medal went out to over twenty-three thousand runners.

General News Metro.co.uk

Jun 01, 2012

Edinburgh Marathon Runners Endure Additional Test In Heat

Despite heat and record crowds John Mutai won the Edinburgh Marathon in 2 hours 19 minutes and 52 seconds

General News Herald Scotland

May 28, 2012