Edinburgh Marathon, Half, 10K & 5K
Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2025
Rated by Runners World UK as one of the 100 best races in the world (hand picked by a panel of athletes and experts in 2022), the Edinburgh Marathon 2025 has it all; fantastic views of the cities most iconic landmarks, stunning picturesque views and a course that passes along the East Lothian coastline. The marathon is AIMS certified and can be used as a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Established in 2003, the festival is Scotland’s largest mass participation running event, with approximately 40,000 runners and 100,000 spectators enjoying nine different race distances over two days at the Edinburgh Marathon 2025. From the 5k race, held in the stunning Holyrood Park, to the one of the UK’s fastest marathons, there’s something for everyone. Our package includes an ideally located hotel, experiences and support from our experts during your stay.
Meals Included
Daily breakfasts included
Guide
Guidance & support from our team
Trip Extension
Extra nights available on request
Accommodation
2 or 3 nights in a central 3* hotel
Entry
Guaranteed race entry with a choice of distance available
Celebration Party
Post-race celebration get together
Excursions
Sight-seeing shake out run
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Friday 23rd May, 2025
Arrival Day
Make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Edinburgh today. Usually, hotel rooms are ready to check in after 2pm. You can leave your luggage with the hotel and explore your surroundings while you wait for the room to be ready.
What to expect during your stay…
Event Number
All entrants who have registered with a UK address (all events) and international entrants (5K & 10K) will receive their event number directly by post in May. For International runners, you will need to collect your race packs from Dynamic Earth on Saturday.How do I contact Marathon Tours & Travel staff during my stay?
Marathon Tours & Travel staff with local knowledge of Edinburgh will be available at certain times in the reception area of the hotel. Times and contact numbers will be provided with your final documents and itinerary.Saturday 24th May, 2025
Race Day (5K & 10k)
Today, the EMF 5K and 10K take place. The start and finish of both races are at Holyrood Park which is just a 10-minute walk from our hotel. Starting and finishing near the EMF Hub at Dynamic Earth, both events feature beautiful, scenic routes in Holyrood Park in the heart of Edinburgh.
If you are not taking part in the races today, you have the opportunity to join your Marathon Tours & Travel rep on a morning shake-out run to explore some of the city sights, before a filling and delicious breakfast at the hotel. Our hotel includes breakfast after each night’s stay.
The day is then free for you to enjoy at leisure, staying off your feet where possible.
If you wish to dine with your MTT host and fellow runners this evening you can add the optional pasta dinner on to your booking! This will take place at a nearby restaurant.
Sunday 25th May, 2025
Race Day (Full & Half Marathon)
This is the day you have trained so hard for! As you get ready, an early breakfast has been arranged with the hotel.
How do I get to the race start?
From the hotel it is approximately a 15-minute walk to the race start area at Potterrow. You can either join your Marathon Tours & Travel rep for a walk over, or make your own way there. On arrival at the start, please follow the instructions of the race officials.
Family and friends who did not enter the marathon.
You can travel by foot or public transport in your own time and pace to support and spectate along the race route. The Marathon Tours & Travel team will be happy to advise.
How do I get to my hotel from the race finish?
Finish is in Musselburgh at the Pinkie Playing Fields (EMF shuttles run back to the centre, tickets are available to purchase in advance on the runners portal).
Buccleuch Place is the finish shuttle stop and is approximately a 15 minute’ walk to our hotel.
In the early evening, we invite you to join us for a post-race meet-up to celebrate your accomplishment with us and fellow runners, friends and family!
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Friday 23rd May, 2025
Arrival Day
Make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Edinburgh today. Usually, hotel rooms are ready to check in after 2pm. You can leave your luggage with the hotel and explore your surroundings while you wait for the room to be ready.
What to expect during your stay…
Event Number
All entrants who have registered with a UK address (all events) and international entrants (5K & 10K) will receive their event number directly by post in May. For International runners, you will need to collect your race packs from Dynamic Earth on Saturday.How do I contact Marathon Tours & Travel staff during my stay?
Marathon Tours & Travel staff with local knowledge of Edinburgh will be available at certain times in the reception area of the hotel. Times and contact numbers will be provided with your final documents and itinerary.Saturday 24th May, 2025
Race Day (5K & 10k)
Today, the EMF 5K and 10K take place. The start and finish of both races are at Holyrood Park which is just a 10-minute walk from our hotel. Starting and finishing near the EMF Hub at Dynamic Earth, both events feature beautiful, scenic routes in Holyrood Park in the heart of Edinburgh.
If you are not taking part in the races today, you have the opportunity to join your Marathon Tours & Travel rep on a morning shake-out run to explore some of the city sights, before a filling and delicious breakfast at the hotel. Our hotel includes breakfast after each night’s stay.
The day is then free for you to enjoy at leisure, staying off your feet where possible.
If you wish to dine with your MTT host and fellow runners this evening you can add the optional pasta dinner on to your booking! This will take place at a nearby restaurant.
Sunday 25th May, 2025
Race Day (Full & Half Marathon)
This is the day you have trained so hard for! As you get ready, an early breakfast has been arranged with the hotel.
(If you choose to purchase the 2 night package Friday – Sunday you will need to check-out before you head to the start area. The hotel will be able to store your bags until you return.)
How do I get to the race start?
From the hotel it is approximately a 15-minute walk to the race start area at Potterrow. You can either join your Marathon Tours & Travel rep for a walk over, or make your own way there. On arrival at the start, please follow the instructions of the race officials.
Family and friends who did not enter the marathon.
You can travel by foot or public transport in your own time and pace to support and spectate along the race route. The Marathon Tours & Travel team will be happy to advise.
How do I get to my hotel from the race finish?
Finish is in Musselburgh at the Pinkie Playing Fields (EMF shuttles run back to the centre, tickets are available to purchase in advance on the runners portal).
Buccleuch Place is the finish shuttle stop and is approximately a 15 minute’ walk to our hotel.
In the early evening, hopefully before you depart, we invite you to join us for a post-race meet-up to celebrate your accomplishment with us and fellow runners, friends and family!
It’s not goodbye but see you next time, as we hope you will join us for another Marathon Tours & Travel trip.
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Saturday 24th May, 2025
Please make your own arrangements to arrive at our hotel in Edinburgh. Usually, hotel rooms are ready to check in after 2pm. You can leave your luggage with the hotel and explore your surroundings while you wait for the room to be ready.
Today, the EMF 5K and 10K take place. The start and finish of both races are at Holyrood Park which is just a 10-minute walk from our hotel. Starting and finishing near the EMF Hub at Dynamic Earth, both events feature beautiful, scenic routes in Holyrood Park in the heart of Edinburgh.
The day is then free for you to enjoy at leisure, staying off your feet where possible.
If you wish to dine with your MTT host and fellow runners this evening you can add the optional pasta dinner on to your booking! This will take place at a nearby restaurant.
Sunday 25th May, 2025
Race Day (Full & Half Marathon)
This is the day you have trained so hard for! As you get ready, an early breakfast has been arranged with the hotel.
How do I get to the race start?
From the hotel it is approximately a 15-minute walk to the race start area at Potterrow. You can either join your Marathon Tours & Travel rep for a walk over, or make your own way there. On arrival at the start, please follow the instructions of the race officials.
Family and friends who did not enter the marathon.
You can travel by foot or public transport in your own time and pace to support and spectate along the race route. The Marathon Tours & Travel team will be happy to advise.
How do I get to my hotel from the race finish?
Finish is in Musselburgh at the Pinkie Playing Fields (EMF shuttles run back to the centre, tickets are available to purchase in advance on the runners portal).
Buccleuch Place is the finish shuttle stop and is approximately a 15 minute’ walk to our hotel.
In the early evening we invite you to join us for a post-race meet-up to celebrate your accomplishment with us and fellow runners, friends and family!
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Packages & Rates
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Guaranteed 2025 Edinburgh Marathon Entry
We are pleased to offer you guaranteed entry for the Edinburgh Marathon. You can buy the entry from Marathon Tours & Travel if you also buy the accommodation package from us. Please note Marathon Tours & Travel will collect and deliver race documents to hotels for runners who book entry through us.
Marathon Tours & Travel Edinburgh Marathon package includes the following:
- 2 or 3 nights at a central 3* hotel
- Daily breakfasts
- City ‘shake-out’ run
- Bib delivered to hotel
- Celebratory post-race get together
- Escorted trip to the race start
- Guidance and support from Marathon Tours & Travel team
- ABTA protected
Not Included:
- Edinburgh Marathon Weekend Entry (5K, 10K, Half or Full Marathon available to add)
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions above
A longer stay?
Contact us for a quote or use our easy booking tool to cost and book.
Travelling with children?
Contact us for a quote or refer to the hotel description for child policies.
Rates
All prices are per person in UK pounds sterling
3-Night Package | 23rd - 26th May 2025 Double Occupancy Single Occupancy ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile : Standard Room From £ 569 pp From £ 1014 2-Night Package | 23rd - 25th May 2025 Double Occupancy Single Occupancy ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile : Standard Room From £409 pp From £708 2-Night Package | 24th - 26th May 2025 Double Occupancy Single Occupancy ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile : Standard Room From £409 pp From £708
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Hotels
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ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge - Royal Mile
The Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge is walking distance of Edinburgh Castle, being only 1km away. The hotel is perfectly located when visiting Edinburgh museums and the nightlife of Edinburgh. Ideal if you are looking for hotels near Edinburgh Waverley railway station, being just 0.5km away.
The welcoming 24hr bar is stocked with a great selection of Scottish beers and spirits, the Wi-Fi is free and speedy, and they have a beautiful outdoor courtyard for relaxing with a tipple.
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Event Information
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Enter the Edinburgh Marathon 2025 with Marathon Tours & Travel
Established in 2003, the Edinburgh Marathon 2025 Festival is Scotland’s largest mass participation running event, with over 35,000 runners and 100,000 spectators coming together to enjoy 9 different race distances over two days.
When booking with Marathon Tours & Travel, we provide guaranteed race entry to the biggest sports participation event in Scotland along with excellent hotel accommodation in the heart of the city for total convenience. Our hotel is located within easy reach of the Marathon Festival weekend events and we’ll also take care of all of the logistics for you, so you can focus on the big event! Whether you are running or supporting, we have an expert team on hand to ensure your trip runs smoothly.
The Course
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 since 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!
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Registration & Booking
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How to Book
To make your booking, click on the button at the top of the page, ensuring that you select the correct number of rooms and types for all members in your party, plus all the required extras. When you book, we will require a deposit to confirm your place.
Payments
When you confirm your booking, we will take a deposit payment. Subsequent payments are taken automatically.
The cost of the event entry is non-refundable.
Travel Advice
It’s important be up to date with the latest information about where you’re travelling to and what documents you need to have in order to travel.
For information about travelling to the UK and your requirements as a non-British passport holder, you should check the overseas travel details on your own governments website.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is an essential part of any holiday you take, and we highly recommend that you purchase suitable insurance for your trip. You must ensure that your travel insurance policy covers you to participate in running events in the UK.
Starting Pens and Bib Numbers
Although we are licensed to sell official entries for the Edinburgh Marathon 2025 events, we have no influence over the allocation of starting times and bib numbers.
Closer to the event we will send you a link which will allow you to complete the registration process for the Edinburgh Marathon 2025 event that you have booked. Once you have finalised the registration process, the race organisers will allocate you a starting time and bib based on the information provided.
Please note UK entrants will receive race documents directly in the post. Marathon Tours & Travel will collect and deliver race documents to your hotel for international guests.
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Seven Continents Club ®
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The Seven Continents Club®️ (SCC) offers a unique opportunity for runners to run on all seven continents of the globe, as well as providing numerous benefits to its members. The club operates as a global frequent traveller club for runners, offering waitlist priority for high-demand events, early pre-registration periods for a number of races in popular destinations and tour package vouchers for money off international tour packages. What’s more, Seven Continents Club®️ rewards all its members for the extraordinary achievement of running marathons on each continent with their own special finishers medal and certificate of completion. Join the SCC today!
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