The UK isn’t just London. Manchester and Brighton offer fast spring courses, Scotland has Edinburgh and the wild scenery of Loch Ness, and York and Belfast are easy to get to. Here are the 7 best marathons in the UK to target in 2027, with dates, courses and how to get a bib.
The short answer
- The legend: London, a two-day event on 24 and 25 April 2027 (100,000 places). The ballot is over: charity places and tour operators remain.
- For a spring PB: Manchester (18 April 2027, sold out), one of the flattest courses in the country, or Brighton (4 April 2027), with no ballot.
- For the scenery: Loch Ness (26 September 2027) or Edinburgh (30 May 2027), heading out to the coast.
- For a first marathon abroad: York (October) or Belfast (2 May 2027), quieter and easier to plan.
Contents
The 7 best marathons in the UK
1. London Marathon: the 2027 double edition
This is where the first official sub-2-hour marathon happened: in April 2026, Sabastian Sawe won in 1:59:30, and Tigst Assefa broke the women-only world record (2:15:41). The same year, 59,830 runners crossed the line, a world record. In 2027, London becomes a two-day event.
- Date: Saturday 24 or Sunday 25 April 2027 (45,000 places on Saturday, 55,000 on Sunday).
- Entry: the 2027 ballot is over, with a record 1,338,544 applicants. Charity places (with a fundraising target), official tour operators and Good For Age times for UK residents remain.
- Bib: £275 for an overseas runner through the ballot (£79.99 for a UK resident).
- Best for: Majors collectors who want the atmosphere of Tower Bridge and The Mall.
Read our full guide to the London Marathon and our feature on the 6 World Marathon Majors.
2. Manchester Marathon: the flattest of the big ones
Manchester has become the UK’s second-biggest marathon, with more than 42,000 participants in 2026. The course has only about 55 m of climbing, making it one of the flattest in the country. Ideal for a PB a week before London.
- Date: Sunday 18 April 2027
- Entry: general entry is sold out. More than 40,000 places went in 10 days. Charity places remain, or a guaranteed bib with an accommodation package from partner Marathon Tours & Travel.
- Course: about 55 m of climbing over 42.195 km.
- Best for: runners who want a spring PB without relying on a ballot.
3. Brighton Marathon: the seaside with no ballot
The Brighton Marathon starts in Preston Park and finishes on the seafront at Hove Lawns. It’s one of the UK’s big spring marathons, open to everyone.
- Date: Sunday 4 April 2027, scheduled 9:45am start.
- Entry: direct, with no ballot or qualifying time, on the race’s official platform.
- Best for: runners who missed out on London and want a big UK spring marathon.
4. Edinburgh Marathon: from the capital to the sea
The course starts in central Edinburgh, then heads east to Musselburgh, with long stretches along the Firth of Forth. It has a reputation for being fast and flat. Watch out for the coastal wind, which can change everything.
- Date: Sunday 30 May 2027 (Edinburgh Marathon Festival on 29 and 30 May).
- Entry: on the official race website.
- Course: point to point, from the city to the coast.
- Best for: runners who want a fast time and a weekend in Scotland.
5. Loch Ness Marathon: the wildest
The start is out on the moors of the Highlands. You then follow the south-east shore of Loch Ness, cross the River Ness and finish in Inverness. More than 6,000 runners from over 80 countries take part. In 2026, places went faster than ever: sold out on 1 April, three months earlier than the year before.
- Date: Sunday 26 September 2027
- Entry: on the official website. Given how fast it sold out in 2026, sign up as soon as it opens.
- Course: point to point, with a hilly profile. Not a PB course.
- Best for: runners who put scenery ahead of the clock.
6. Yorkshire Marathon: York, flat and rural
Start and finish at the University of York. The course passes York Minster, then runs through the villages and country lanes of the Vale of York. It’s flat and chip-timed.
- Date: October.
- Entry: on the website of the organiser, Run For All.
- Best for: a first marathon abroad or an autumn PB, away from big-city crowds.
7. Belfast Marathon: starting at Stormont
The Belfast Marathon starts on the Stormont Estate, home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and finished in Ormeau Park in 2026. The course is AIMS-certified. It’s a chance to discover Northern Ireland over a long weekend in May.
- Date: Sunday 2 May 2027
- Entry: 2027 places went on sale on 22 May 2026. The official website shows a waiting list: check the status before booking.
- Best for: runners who want a friendly, mid-sized marathon a week after London.
Which UK marathon should you choose?
| Race | 2027 date | Season | Main highlight | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 4 April | Spring | Seaside, no ballot | Direct entry |
| Manchester | 18 April | Spring | Very flat (about 55 m) | Sold out (charities, tour operator) |
| London | 24 or 25 April | Spring | Major, double edition | Ballot over (£275 overseas) |
| Belfast | 2 May | Spring | Friendly size | Waiting list |
| Edinburgh | 30 May | Late spring | Fast, out to the coast | Official website |
| Loch Ness | 26 September | Autumn | Highland scenery | When it opens (sold out early in 2026) |
| Yorkshire | October | Autumn | Flat, York Minster | Official website |
If you missed out on London, Brighton is the big spring option with no ballot, three weeks earlier.
How to prepare for a marathon in the UK
- Allow 16 to 20 weeks. For London or Manchester in late April, start in early December. For Loch Ness at the end of September, start in May or June.
- Train for the wind. Edinburgh, Brighton and Belfast run close to the sea: do some long runs on windy days and learn to shelter in a group.
- Adjust your paces to the profile. Loch Ness isn’t run like Manchester. Calculate your split times based on the course.
- Think in miles. Markers are often in miles: know your pace per mile (1 mile = 1.609 km) before the start.
A plan built around your race date
RunMotion Coach builds your marathon training plan, personalised to your level, your goal and your race date, with personalised paces. Try it free for 7 days.
FAQ
Can I still run the 2027 London Marathon?
The ballot is over. Charity places, with a fundraising target, and packages from official tour operators remain.
What is the flattest marathon in the UK?
Manchester is one of the flattest, with about 55 m of climbing. York is also described as flat.
Which UK marathon has no ballot?
Brighton opens entries directly, with no ballot or qualifying time. So does Manchester, but the 2027 race is already sold out.
What do I need to travel to the UK to race?
Since 2 April 2025, eligible European visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. Most EU citizens also need a passport, as national ID cards are no longer accepted.
Still deciding? Compare with our top 10 flattest marathons and our best marathons in Germany.
Ready to race in the UK? Start your 7-day free trial and let RunMotion Coach build your plan all the way to race day.
Updated 28 October 2026.
