Top Marathons in the UK
Events that our community are currently loving
Sunday, 8 Oct 2023
MBNA Chester Marathon
Chester, Cheshire West and Chester
marathon
(12 reviews)
Sunday, 7 Apr 2024
ABP Southampton Marafun 2024
Southampton, Southampton
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and more
(56 reviews)
Sunday, 9 Jul 2023
XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon
Caernarfon, Gwynedd
ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon, 10k
(48 reviews)
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Popular UK Marathons
Sunday, 8 Oct 2023
MBNA Chester Marathon
Chester, Cheshire West and Chester
marathon
(12 reviews)
Sunday, 7 Apr 2024
ABP Southampton Marafun 2024
Southampton, Southampton
marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and more
(56 reviews)
Sunday, 9 Jul 2023
XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon
Caernarfon, Gwynedd
ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon, 10k
(48 reviews)
Sunday, 10 Sept 2023
Bacchus Wine Half Marathon & 10k
Dorking, Surrey
marathon, 10k, 5k and more
(490 reviews)
Saturday, 7 Oct 2023
Kielder Marathon Weekend
Hexham, Northumberland
marathon, half marathon, 10k and more
Sunday, 5 May 2024
RunThrough Gateshead Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k 2024
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
half marathon, 10k, marathon
(176 reviews)
Sunday, 11 Jun 2023
Cheddar Gorge Challenge
Blagdon, Somerset
10k, half marathon, marathon, 5k and more
(2 reviews)
Sunday, 2 Jul 2023
Running GP at Goodwood Motor Circuit - July 2023
Chichester, West Sussex
half marathon, 10k, 5k, marathon, ultramarathon and more
(48 reviews)
Sunday, 9 Jul 2023
Ironbourne
Eastbourne, East Sussex
ironman, half ironman, marathon
(1 reviews)
Sunday, 16 Jul 2023
Wye Valley Tunnel Run
Sedbury, Gloucestershire
10k, half marathon, marathon, 5k and more
(3 reviews)
Saturday, 12 Aug 2023
Thames Meander Marathon & Half – Summer
Richmond, Greater London
marathon, half marathon, 10k
(55 reviews)
Sunday, 20 Aug 2023
Bath Two Tunnels Railway Races - August
Bath, Bath and North East Somerset
half marathon, 5k, ultramarathon, marathon, 10k and more
(22 reviews)
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About marathons in the UK
Marathons are 26.2 miles long (or 42.2k) and make up some of the most popular and spectacular races held in the UK. People run marathons for many different reasons, either for a loved one, a personal goal or for a great cause. In 2016, Shannon Foudy became the one millionth runner to complete the London Marathon.
What are the best marathon events?
The most famous is the London Marathon, which last year produced a record 40,000+ finishers and over 800,000 spectators flooded the streets to cheer them on. If you're thinking of running a marathon, London is not only the most popular but also one of the flattest, so it's a great place to push for a PB. If you missed out on a ballot place, other super flat marathons include ASICS Greater Manchester Marathon, Brighton Marathon, and Edinburgh Marathon. These are held in the spring / early summer, around the same time as the London Marathon. If you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path, the New Forest Marathon, Baxters Loch Ness Marathon (watch out for Nessie) and Yorkshire Marathon all run from late summer into autumn.
How long will it take me to run a marathon?
The average time for London Marathon finishers in 2018 was 3h48m for males and 4h23m for females. This is significantly faster than the global average of around 4h13m and 4h42m for men and women respectively. Don't focus too much on what others are doing, keep your own pace and don't worry if you're overtaken by an inflatable T-Rex, they can be pretty speedy!
Keep in mind that your finishing time can be greatly affected by the course, some marathons are particularly fast (e.g. Berlin, London), and the average time for different marathons can vary - make sure you check out the course maps and elevation profiles to get a feel for the route.
For trivia fans, the world record for women was set in London by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 at 2h15m25s and is still proving tough to beat. The men's record was beaten in Berlin in 2018 by Eliud Kipchoge and at 2h01m39s is pushing close to breaking the elusive 2 hour barrier.
How do you train for a marathon?
Training for a marathon takes time and dedication. We recommend starting 16 weeks prior to race day, regardless of whether you are entering your first race or looking to hit a new PB.