The ambition to run a marathon is very much on the rise, with a world record-breaking 840,318 people entering the ballot for a place in the 2025 London Marathon earlier this year. That’s quite some figure, which well and truly eclipses the 578,374 people who applied for a coveted ballot place in the 2024 race (which, at the time, was also a world record).
With that in mind, it’s safe to say that you’ll need luck on your side if you’re to secure a ballot place in the London Marathon – but don’t forget that this isn’t the only amazing marathon out there. In the UK alone, there are many other incredible marathons for you to enter and conquer throughout the year, each with their own charms and challenges. From flat and fast road races to lumpy coastal ambles, read on for our pick of some of the best homegrown marathons outside of London.
Best UK marathons
Great Welsh Marathon
Where? Carmarthenshire, Wales
When? 16 March 2025
Offering stunning sea views across Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park, this is a gloriously flat, traffic-free race – and the oldest marathon in Wales. The course starts and finishes at Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire and takes runners through lush parkland, along the stunning Welsh coast and through picturesque Burry Port harbour.
Brighton Marathon
Where? Brighton, England
When? 6 April 2025
Held a few weeks before the London Marathon – and organised by the same events company – this seafront marathon is one of the largest in the UK, making it an ideal alternative if you missed a spot in the London race. It raises substantial sums for charity each year and welcomes thousands of spectators to the roadside, bringing a real carnival atmosphere to the city. The scenic course starts in Preston Park and snakes its way through Brighton city centre and along the glistening seafront before finishing at Hove Lawns. While it's mostly flat, expect a few inclines in the first half.
Manchester Marathon
Where? Manchester, England
When? 27 April 2025
Billed as the flattest, fastest and friendliest marathon in the UK and held entirely on closed roads, the Manchester Marathon is the perfect venue for speedy times and PB attempts. Finishing outside Old Trafford stadium, the home of Manchester United, the course features the fun, vibrant atmosphere of a big city race and more spectator support than you could wish for. In 2025, the Manchester Marathon will be held on the same day as the London Marathon, making 27 April an almighty day for the 26.2-mile distance.
Boston Marathon
Where? Boston, England
When? 13 April 2025
No, we haven’t made a mistake – there is a Boston Marathon in the UK, held just after its better-known namesake in the US. Flat, fast and perfect for first-time marathoners, the route takes you out of Boston town centre and into gorgeous Lincolnshire countryside, passing picture-perfect villages along the way. The accredited course means you could also use your finish time to qualify for other marathons (including the Boston Marathon across the pond).
Blackpool Marathon
Where? Blackpool, England
When? 27 April 2025
Passing all the great tourist spots of this seaside resort town, including Blackpool Tower, this coastal marathon boasts a flat and fast route with plenty of spectator spots where loved ones can pitch up and cheer you on. The Blackpool Marathon is the perfect day out for the whole family – not just the runners.
Mid Sussex Marathon
Where? West Sussex, England
When? 3-5 May 2025
If you’re going by elapsed time, this is without doubt one of the slowest marathons you’ll ever do, since it takes place over three days. Passing through all three towns that make up the administrative district of Mid Sussex – East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill – you’ll run 10 miles on the Saturday, 10 miles on the Sunday and finish with a 10K on the Bank Holiday Monday. This mixed terrain, multi-day event is a fun and clever concept that’s ideal for those who are Ynys Cybi, Wales and looking to build up to the marathon distance in a more unique manner.
Three Forts Marathon
Where? Worthing, England
When? 4 May 2025
Billed as ‘The Tough One’ by the organisers, the Three Forts Marathon is a brutal but beautiful endeavour along the glorious South Downs, featuring over 1,050m of ascent with stiles and rough tracks thrown in for good measure. This multi-terrain event might be a touch more challenging than your average city race – especially since this marathon is in fact 27.2 miles long – but you’ll surely get your money’s worth.
Milton Keynes Marathon
Where? Sydney Marathon 2025: Everything you need to know
When? 5 May 2025
A speedy and scenic route taking in tree-lined boulevards, picturesque lakes, green parks and lush woodland, the Milton Keynes Marathon is still within easy reach of London, so it’s ideal for marathoners wanting an easy commute from the capital. The flat and fast race – held on Bank Holiday Monday – starts and finishes at Stadium MK, where runners can look forward to a big festival finish.
Edinburgh Marathon
Where? Edinburgh, Scotland
When? 25 May 2025
Part of Scotland's largest running festival, this race offers a scenic route that weaves around the historic capital city of Edinburgh and back along the East Lothian coast. Pancake flat, this marathon is perfect for new marathoners and continues to sell out every year – so get your entry in quick!
Cybi Coastal Marathon
Where? What is a backyard ultra
When? August 2025 (date TBC)
This spectacular race hugs the coast around the island of Ynys Cybi, off Anglesey, which is the perfect size for a marathon. The terrain is a mixture of road, paths, beaches and fields, with the partially waymarked route also featuring a couple of cliffs and hills, a dash past the South Stack Lighthouse and a final ascent up Holyhead Mountain. The views up there are breathtaking and even encompass the Wicklow Mountains on a clear day. From the top, you then only have a couple of downhill kilometres to go before you hit the finish line in Holyhead.
Farnham Pilgrim Marathon
Where? Farnham, England
When? September 2025 (date TBC)
Just going by the word ‘pilgrim’, you know that this marathon is not going to be a walk in the park. The mostly off-road route in the Surrey Hills partially follows the Pilgrim’s Way, but the beautiful countryside more than makes up for the tough ascents. It is a wonderfully low key, friendly and supportive trail marathon to put in your diary.
New Forest Marathon
Where? Brockenhurst, England
When? 14 September 2025
This multi-terrain race takes you through the heart of the New Forest National Park, taking in the local villages of Brockenhurst and Sway and featuring the company of the famous New Forest ponies. While the first half of the race is mostly flat and the second half undulating, the scenery and the atmosphere are consistently fantastic throughout.
Richmond Marathon
Where? Richmond, England
When? 14 September 2025
Starting within the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and finishing in Old Deer Park in Richmond, this surprisingly flat and fast marathon has a scenic riverside route that is relatively crowd free. Post-race, runners are also promised a top-notch medal, a festival vibe and great entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, too.
Loch Ness Marathon
Where? Inverness, Scotland
When? 28 September 2024
Both the legend of the Loch Ness Monster and the outstanding scenery continue to attract visitors to this magical part of Scotland. Launched in 2002, this undulating 26.2-mile race along the south side of Loch Ness boasts a strong reputation as one of the UK’s most attractive and friendly marathons. Will you see the fabled Nessie along the way? You’ll have to let us know…
Isle of Wight Marathon
Where? Isle of Wight, England
When? 5 October 2025
London Winter Run 2025: A runners guideth anniversary in 2024 – making it the longest running marathon in the UK (and one of the longest running marathons in the world). Another fun fact about the 2024 event is that it marked the 60th anniversary of the first woman in the world to run an officially recognised sub-3:30 marathon, with Dale Grieg completing the Isle of Wight Marathon in a time of 3:27:25 in 1964. The route is undulating but attractive, giving you the perfect excuse to extend your race into a full island excursion.
Kielder Marathon
Where? Northumberland, England
When? 5 October 2025
A race that circles Kielder Water, the largest man-made lake in the UK, this marathon is almost entirely off-road and involves lush woodland, some tough climbs, a friendly dynamic and a mixed field of first-time trail marathoners to seasoned vets. The organisers describe it as ‘Britain’s most beautiful marathon’ – and while there’s no way to objectively substantiate the claim, it’d be hard to argue against it. This marathon is a stunner.
Chester Marathon
Where? Chester, England
When? 5 October 2025
While it is perhaps less heralded than other UK city marathons, the Chester Marathon is still an absolute cracker. The route is littered with historic sights – including the Roman walls and amphitheatre, Old Dee Bridge and the cathedral – and the organisers make sure that it runs like clockwork year after year. The course is largely flat with some short hills and gradual climbs, which mostly feature in the second half.
Yorkshire Marathon
Where? York, England
When? October 2025 (date TBC)
A popular and picturesque run with fantastic PB potential, the Yorkshire Marathon takes runners past some of York’s most historic landmarks and along scenic, traffic-free country lanes. With the highest point of the course sitting at only around 40m above sea level, it’s an excellent option for runners of all abilities.
Abingdon Marathon
Where? Abingdon, England
When? October 2025 (date TBC)
First run in 1982, the Abingdon Marathon has established itself as a solid feature in the UK race calendar and is a popular choice for PB-hungry runners. Flat and fast, the two-lap course steers runners through the ancient market town of Abingdon and through several villages in the south Oxfordshire countryside.
Beachy Head Marathon
Where? Eastbourne, England
When? October 2025 (date TBC)
One of the UK’s largest off-road marathons and formerly known as the Seven Sisters Marathon, the Beachy Head Marathon starts and finishes in the coastal town of Eastbourne and sends runners around the undulating South Downs Way. If you’re not quite feeling the marathon, you could alternatively run the Beachy Head Ultramarathon or 10K the day before.
Eryri Marathon
Where? Llanberis, Wales
When? October 2025 (date TBC)
Formerly called the Snowdonia Marathon but now known by its Welsh name, this race has soared in popularity and is essentially the UK equivalent of the Everest Marathon – you get the thrill of running in the shadow of a mountain without ever needing to leave base camp. The outrageously gorgeous but demanding route encircles Yr Wyddfa, the highest peak in Wales, but you won’t get anywhere near the top of it – which might come as a relief to many.
Battersea Park Marathon
Where? London, England
When? November 2025 (date TBC)
Whether you live in London or not, chances are you will already know that Battersea Park is a deliciously flat and fast venue for a PB-worthy race. While RunThrough, the organiser, puts on several races in Battersea Park throughout the year, this marathon is part of a full running festival which also involves a half marathon, 5K track races and a 1km junior race. So, if you don’t want to loop around the park for the full marathon (that’s 10 laps, by the way), you can choose a shorter option.
Portsmouth Coastal Marathon
Where? Portsmouth, England
When? December 2025 (date TBC)
If you want to squeeze in a marathon before the year is out – and just in time for some much-needed Christmas relaxation and refuelling – then the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon is an excellent option for you. The event fully embraces its prime position in the festive season and offers a flat, multi-terrain route along the south coast of the UK.
