Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2027
Looking to set yourself a challenge? Aiming for a new personal best on Strava? Or simply looking for some added motivation to lace up and train through the winter? Why not set your sights on the Edinburgh Marathon 2027.
Join Team Rock Trust at this year’s Edinburgh Marathon Festival and take on one of Scotland’s most iconic running weekends. On top of getting into shape and chasing your personal bests, you’ll be helping us to end youth homelessness with every mile you run. By running for us, you’ll enjoy:
🏃♀️ Fast, flat, panoramic routes each year.
🏰 Iconic sights to take in.
📍 9 distances to choose from.
🥇 Scotland’s biggest running festival.
Choose your distance
Never ran a marathon before? Don’t fancy the half? No worries, we’ve got you covered. There’s a challenge for every runner, with 5k and 10k distances to choose from.
We’ve even got the Hairy Haggis Relay, where you can take on the 26 miles as a team!
Please note: Registration for the Full Marathon and Half Marathon events are TBC. Stay tuned for updates.
Take on a challenge that goes further
Held on 29-30 May 2027, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival is one of the UK’s best-loved running events, famous for its fast routes and flat profiles, incredible atmosphere and stunning scenery.
As part of Team Rock Trust, you’ll be running through historic Edinburgh streets and along the East Lothian coastline, knowing that your effort is directly supporting young people to avoid and move on from homelessness.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned runner, this is your chance to make 2027 count: for you, and for young people across Scotland.
What you’ll get as part of Team Rock Trust
As one of our fundraisers, we’ll provide you with support, advice and motivation to make sure your EMF experience is a success. You’ll receive:
- Free charity place for your chosen event.
- Official Rock Trust running vest.
- Fundraising support and guidance every step of the way from our fundraising team.
- The chance to be part of something bigger – ending youth homelessness.
From sign up to hitting your fundraising targets, we’ll be there to support you. What’s more, we’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines on the day, all the way to the finish line!
Fundraising targets explained
We ask runners fundraising for Rock Trust to aim for a minimum fundraising target. This is because we purchase places directly from the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, out of our own pocket. This approach allows us to cover the cost of your place and generate vital funds to support our work, effectively doubling the value of every paid entry.
Edinburgh Full Marathon: £450
Edinburgh Half Marathon: £250
EMF 10K: £150
EMF 5K: £150
Hairy Haggis Relay Team: £500 total
Why your run matters
Scotland is in the middle of a housing emergency. Thousands of young people experience homelessness each year, often due to family breakdown, rising living costs and a lack of safe, affordable housing. Many are hidden from official statistics, sofa-surfing or living in unsafe situations.
By running for Rock Trust, you’re helping to fund early intervention, housing support and mental health services for young people who need our support most. As a result, young people are able to move on from homelessness, find stability and reach their full potential. Find out more about our impact, and the reality of youth homelessness in Scotland.
Your miles really do change lives.
Secure your Edinburgh Marathon place
Stay tuned for 2027 EMF updates.
FAQs
See below for some frequently asked questions about the EMF. If you have any further questions about the event or joining Team Rock Trust, please email our amazing fundraising team via [email protected].
The Edinburgh Marathon and Half Marathon has sold out every year since 2008 – it is the second largest marathon in the UK, behind only London.
Paid-for places sold out in November 2025, but free charity places are still available to runners who opt to fundraise for a named charity.
Rock Trust still has a number of places available, and sets a fundraising target of £450 for the full distance, and £250 for half marathon entrants.
The Edinburgh Marathon was voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runners World. It’s flat, it’s pacy, it’s panoramic – perfect for runners who want to set a PB while taking in some beautiful surroundings!
Given its forgiving course profile, the Edinburgh Marathon is a great choice for runners aiming to run their first marathon. Its beautiful route and potential for fast times also makes it a favourite among experienced runners looking to smash their PB!
Event organisers Edinburgh Marathon Festival state a strict cut off time of 6 hours 30 minutes for the marathon and 3 hours 15 minutes for the half marathon.
A sweeper bus follows the race at 6 hour 30 minute pace for the full and 3 hour 15 minute pace for the half and if you are passed by the sweeper bus at any point and for any reason, you will be asked to get onto the bus which will transport you back to the finish area at the earliest possible opportunity.