Edinburgh Marathon Festival - Marathon

Starting on Potterrow with the picturesque backdrop of The University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall, this incredible city centre route takes you past many iconic sights of the city.

Turning the first corner you’ll make your way past Greyfriars Kirkyard, home to the statue of Edinburgh’s favourite dog who spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner - Greyfriars Bobby.

Continuing on into the city's old town, you’ll cross over the Royal Mile, with St Giles Cathedral to your right and the iconic Edinburgh Castle to your left, before heading down the Mound into New Town.

You’ll run through the beautiful Princes Street Gardens where you will see the Scott Monument - a towering gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott

The route then turns back up to the historic Royal Mile, heading past the breathtaking architecture of the Scottish Parliament building. From here you can look up and take in the spectacular Arthurs Seat & Salisbury Crags, as well as the Palace of Holyrood, before departing the Royal Park and heading east towards the coast, taking in the sea air of Portobello promenade..

As you reach Musselburgh, you’ll run past the oldest golf course in the world, where it’s documented that golf has been played as early as 1672, before heading further East on the flat to Gosford House, an imposing neo-classical mansion which was one of the last great architectural commissions of the celebrated Scots architect, Robert Adam.

As you turn and head back along the coast, you’ll see the beautiful finish line ahead, one of the greatest sights for any marathon runner!

With a descent of almost 90 metres to near sea level, this flat course is up there with one of the fastest marathon routes in the world!

Wicking finisher's t-shirt

Finisher's medal & distance keyring

Finisher's pack

Personalised event number with accurate timing chip

Event baggage facilities

Hydration & energy gel on route

Hydration & nutrition at the finish

Results posted in your account within 48 hours

Fantastic running experience

*Please note that the finishers items are subject to change and may differ slightly from the checklist

The events start at Potterrow. Potterrow is a 20 minute walk from Princes Street.

Marathon - 18yrs
Half Marathon - 17yrs
Hairy Haggis Relay - 15yrs
10K - 15yrs
5K - 11yrs

All your queries answered and more!

View the faqs here

Event Bus (Participants)
There will be EMF Event Buses operating for the Team Relay, Half Marathon and Full Marathon events for participants and spectators. Park & Ride EMF Event Buses operate between Newcraighall, Straiton, Sheriffhall and Wallyford Park & Ride sites, from which you can travel to the Start or Finish of the events.

Event Bus (Spectators)
There will be EMF Event Buses operating for the Team Relay, Half Marathon and Full Marathon events for participants and spectators. Park & Ride EMF Event Buses operate between Newcraighall, Straiton, Sheriffhall and Wallyford Park & Ride sites, from which you can travel to the Start or Finish of the events.

Tickets can be purchased from the shop.

BUS
Getting to the Start
East Coast Buses and Lothian Buses operate services to the city centre and close to the start area. Full details are available at eastcoastbuses.co.uk.

If you live in the Cockenzie, Port Seton, Prestonpans areas or are residing at Seton Sands Caravan Park, you can get a Lothian Bus service. Full details are available at lothianbuses.com.

The Finish and getting back to Edinburgh City Centre

Lothian Buses operate services between the finish area at Musselburgh and Edinburgh City Centre. For more information please visit lothianbuses.com.

Early morning transport to Edinburgh from other destinations

We know Edinburgh is very busy for the event, and that sometimes participants need to stay further away and travel in.

Citylink is the Event Transportation partner of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival for 2023, and runners and spectators can travel with Citylink from various locations across Scotland to take part in the event. They have early morning departures leaving from Glasgow, Perth, Kinross and Halbeath on the morning of the event. You can buy your travel ticket online at www.citylink.co.uk

Train
Getting to the start
The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley. It is a 20 minute walk from the start at Potterrow.
The finish and getting back to Edinburgh city centre after the event

The nearest train stations are Musselburgh Train Station and Wallyford Train Station. They are both a 20 minute walk away from the finish area. These trains will take you to Edinburgh Waverley. For more information please visit www.scotrail.co.uk

Tram
Edinburgh Trams operates services to the City Centre every 7 minutes from locations such as Edinburgh Airport, Ingliston Park and Ride and Edinburgh Gateway. Further details can be found by visiting Edinburgh Trams.
Princes Street tram stop is a 20 minute walk from the start area.

Car
There is no parking available in Musselburgh and restrictions are in place. Please plan your travel and use public transport or the EMF Event Buses.
Please DO NOT take your car to Musselburgh.
The continuing success of the event depends upon the support of the local community and sadly last year, despite parking restrictions being in place we experienced massive problems with runners and spectators parking illegally, blocking bus routes, residents driveways and even cars being abandoned on the pavements making it impossible for people using wheelchairs or parents with prams to use the pavement, instead being forced onto the open road to pass.

If you are parking anywhere over the event weekend, please do so legally and with respect to those who live in these areas, however please note that parking in Musselburgh and the surrounding area is restricted and for residents only.

Police Scotland, Edinburgh City Council, East Lothian Council and EMF organisers take this issue very seriously and the following measures will be in operation. There will be marshals in place to enforce parking restrictions. Only residents will be issued passes to access the restricted area. The drivers of all vehicles parked illegally will be fined.

Any vehicles parked illegally and causing obstruction or congestion will be towed away.

Please help us by planning your travel in advance of the event weekend and where possible, leave the car and choose one of the many transport options available.

Special arrangements for residential/businesses
Millhill & Goose green residents & businesses
The Electric Bridge is no longer available for events or vehicular access. As such, a route alteration has been made for this area, to utilise the footbridge to the south of Electric Bridge. Residents who previously could exit after 13:30 hrs, can now exit only via Shorthope Street throughout the day (the one-way system will be reversed for the duration of the event from 06:00 - 18:00). The Millhill Car Park will be closed.

*Please note that this is subject to change.

The 2023 Road Closure Document is available to view here