MarathonsMarathons
- Edinburgh Marathon Festival28May2022
Edinburgh Marathon Festival
Running ‧ London26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi • 1.2 mi • 0.9 mi • 0.6 mi£12 – £129.75C-19 Plan - Worcester Full & Half Marathon16May
Worcester Full & Half Marathon
Running ‧ Hindlip26.2 mi • 13.1 mi - Rightmove Milton Keynes Marathon Weekend25Jun
Rightmove Milton Keynes Marathon Weekend
Running ‧ Bletchley26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 3.1 mi • 1.5 mi • 6.2 mi£12 – £140 - ABP Southampton Marathon, Half, 10k & Mile5Sep
ABP Southampton Marathon, Half, 10k & Mile
Running ‧ Southampton26.2 mi • 13.0 mi • 6.2 mi • 1.0 mi£7 – £44.99 - Richmond Runfest - Half & 10k11Sep
Richmond Runfest - Half & 10k
Running ‧ London13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 26.2 mi • 3.1 mi • 1.0 mi - Beyond Badminton Trail18Sep
Beyond Badminton Trail
Running ‧ South Gloucestershire31.1 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi£15 – £40C-19 Plan - Hever Castle Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run and Sport Festival25Sep
Hever Castle Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run and Sport Festival
Multi-Sport ‧ Hever3.1 mi • 1.6 mi • 1.0 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 miC-19 Plan - Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running3Oct
Baxters Loch Ness Marathon & Festival of Running
Running ‧ Inverness25.0 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi • 0.2 mi£5 – £56 - Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon & 10 Mile17Oct
Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon & 10 Mile
Running ‧ York26.2 mi • 10.0 mi£35 – £58C-19 Plan - Boston Marathon UK31May
Boston Marathon UK
Running ‧ Boston26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 3.0 mi - Race to the Tower5Jun
Race to the Tower
Running ‧ Whiteshill52.4 mi • 26.2 mi£69 – £199C-19 Plan - Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run19Jun
Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run
Multi-Sport ‧ Malpas3.1 mi • 1.6 mi • 1.0 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 miC-19 Plan - Castle Howard Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run24Jul
Castle Howard Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run
Multi-Sport ‧ Castle Howard3.1 mi • 1.6 mi • 1.0 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 mi • 0.6 miC-19 Plan - Glencoe Marathon Gathering5Sep
Glencoe Marathon Gathering
Running ‧ Glencoe26.2 mi • 13.1 mi - Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run11Sep
Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon, Multisport, Swim and Run
Multi-Sport ‧ Gort3.1 mi • 1.6 mi • 1.0 mi • 26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 6.2 miC-19 Plan - New Forest Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k12Sep
New Forest Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
Running ‧ Brockenhurst26.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 0.9 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 miC-19 Plan - Dark Skies Run @ Kielder 1028May
Dark Skies Run @ Kielder 10
Running ‧ Newcastle upon Tyne10.0 mi • 26.5 mi • 14.0 mi - Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series – Northumberland29May
Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series – Northumberland
Running ‧ Bamburgh35.2 mi • 27.2 mi • 12.9 mi • 6.5 mi - Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series – Exmoor12Jun
Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series – Exmoor
Running ‧ East Dean6.2 mi • 13.1 mi • 26.3 mi • 32.8 mi - Race to the King19Jun
Race to the King
Running ‧ Arundel53.6 mi • 23.4 mi • 30.2 mi£69 – £199C-19 Plan - Thames Meander Marathon & Half – Summer7Aug
Thames Meander Marathon & Half – Summer
Running ‧ Kingston upon Thames26.2 mi • 13.1 mi£34 – £42C-19 Plan - Snowdon - The Spring Crossing25Sep
Snowdon - The Spring Crossing
Running ‧ Rhyd-Ddu8.5 mi • 14.9 mi • 26.1 mi • 35.4 mi£30 – £62 - The Surrey Hills Challenge26Sep
The Surrey Hills Challenge
Running ‧ Dorking37.3 mi • 26.1 mi • 13.0 mi • 6.2 mi • 3.1 mi • 0.6 mi£2 – £80C-19 Plan - Dorney Lake Marathon3Oct
Dorney Lake Marathon
Marathon ‧ Windsor26.2 mi
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 marathons?
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?
To ensure you are ready come race day, check out our free marathon training plan, with nutrition and race tips included. 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.