Every year teams of four join forces to complete this flat-and-fast marathon course as a relay and raise money together for their chosen charity at the same time.
The relay follows the same route as the marathon which has previously been voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runner’s World. Relay teams can enjoy the famous course but over a shorter distance - what's not to love?
Every year this weekend festival raises millions of pounds for a wide variety of charities. Your team can get guaranteed places in the run and make a positive difference at the same time by running for charity. You'll have a joint fundraising page so your training and fundraising can be a team effort and fun too!
Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a cause you're passionate about and are ideal for corporate involvement.
Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:
Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think eye-catching videos for social and traditional collection tins too.
If you're new to running or have many miles under your belt, you'll need to train - especially if your team is going for a fast collective time! Many charities provide training guidance, plans, an online training zone plus access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your marathon preparation.
When you show up in Scotland's capital, people need to be able to see that your team is supporting a charity. Charities will give you matching branded and often personalised t-shirts or vests to run in on the big day, and often training tops too so that your team feels united.
Many charities set up cheer stations along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!
Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover and socialise alongside team members.
Marathon relays and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which of these charities will you run for?
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood Road
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH8 8AS
UK
Click to open in map
The Scottish capital is renowned for its heritage and culture, with medieval architecture and cobbled streets helping to create a spellbinding atmosphere. It's the perfect setting for an active festival of running, with each route taking full advantage of its stunning location.
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival offers an ideal opportunity to explore the historic streets on closed roads and enjoy a Bank Holiday weekend in the Scottish capital.
8.3 miles
Starting on Holyrood Park Road with the picturesque backdrop of Holyrood Park, this incredible city centre route brings you past the impressive Surgeons' Hall, designed by William Henry Playfair in 1832.
This part of city is a fabulous mix of history, and festival culture. You will run past Scotland's premier dance and opera house, the Festival Theatre, which comes alive with a variety of world-class productions, particularly during the summer festival months.
The route then turns right, and meanders down the historic Royal Mile, heading towards and past the somewhat controversial Scottish Parliament building. Here you can look up and take in the spectacular Arthurs Seat and Salisbury Crags, as well as the Palace of Holyrood, before departing the Royal Park and heading east towards the coast where runners reach the first relay changeover at Fisherrow Links, Musselburgh.
5.5 miles
The route then crosses the River Esk and past Musselburgh Racecourse and then continues beyond Prestongrange Mining Museum, Prestonpans, the site of the 1745 Battle of Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton where reaching the second relay changeover at Port Seton Links.
8 miles
It then races on to picturesque East Lothian, along Scotland’s golf coast which boasts 22 courses including some of the world’s oldest and most admired like North Berwick, Gullane and Muirfield. The route passes the village of Longniddry then enters the grounds of Gosford House before looping around and heading back to Port Seton and the final relay changeover.
4.4 miles
Now in the home straight the route passes through Port Seton, Cockenzie and Prestonpans back past Musselburgh Links, the famous golf course officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest golf course in the world. The marathon finishes in playing fields at Pinkie St Peter’s Primary School. Well done hairies!
This event is committed to minimising the impact it has on the local environment, implemented in the following ways:
The training and fundraising are all part of the challenge, so why not sign up to the relay for charity and raise the profile of your team or company?
Starting your fundraising early gives your team the best chance of reaching – and even exceeding – your sponsorship goal. Ask your workplace about match funding which could make your target very smashable!
Keep talking about your fundraising target to your colleagues, friends, family, social media followers - everyone!
Seize the chance to bond with others and get creative over how to fundraise. Hold an auction, bake sale, book sale, dance-a-thon or yoga, own-clothes day, guess how may, head shave, loose change collection, mobile free day, quiz time, wash some cars, shave your beard. Make the most of the many ideas at our fingertips!
... I really enjoyed the event. It was well organised and I liked the course which started up by the university and then had a 5 mile downhill run through the city to the coast, followed by an out and back coastal section which was pretty flat.
Really enjoyed this run. Beautiful settings and a fantastic atmosphere.
It's true that this is a perfect race for chasing PBs - I got one today and I hadn't trained as much as I should have.
Couldn’t have picked a better location for my first marathon! Amazing atmosphere with super helpful marshals and wonderful support from spectators especially the welcoming locals who utterly emmersed themselves in the event and were out in their hundreds. Topped off by lovely finish crew who didn’t mind being hugged and sobbed over ecstatically!! and the most beautiful medal and lovely (perfectly fitted) finishers shirt!
The route itself took you through lovely historical parts of the city and then out across the gorgeous coast before returning to the city for a rapturous welcome (despite the crazy headwind along the final four miles!). Terrific choice of route and I bet an experienced marathoner could get quite a pace as it’s relatively flat. A most excellent event and definitely one to recommend!
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck
Costs shown are per team of 4 people.
Leg 1 | 17 years old and above
Leg 2 | 15 years old and above
Leg 3 | 17 years old and above
Leg 4 | 15 years old and above
