Best marathons in the United Kingdom
13 rated races, ranked by an overall score built from racer reviews and race reports. How we score
13 races
Overall score 4.5Excellent#7 of 297Strong evidence · 8 sources + 224 runner ratings
Climbing 85 m (280 ft)
1. TCS London Marathon
Overall score 4.5ExcellentStrong evidence · 8 sources + 224 runner ratingsTop 3%#7 of 297 overallLondon, United Kingdom · Next race 25 Apr 2027
Racers loveCrowds several people deep for most of 42.2 km (26.2 mi), loudest on Tower Bridge.
Watch outBallot odds are a few percent; charity places need at least GBP 2,750 raised.
“This was the best race ever!” 47 ratings, 20 written reviews, RaceRaves
- Air
- 9–15 °C (48–59 °F)
- Climbing
- 85 m (280 ft)
- Field
- about 59,800
- Best
- Race 4.5
- Weakest
- Entry 1.1
Overall score 4.0Very good#34 of 297Strong evidence · 6 sources + 173 runner ratings
Climbing 145 m (475 ft)
2. Brighton Marathon
Overall score 4.0Very goodStrong evidence · 6 sources + 173 runner ratingsTop 12%#34 of 297 overallBrighton, United Kingdom · Next race 4 Apr 2027
Racers loveOpen entry, no ballot, for GBP 74.99 to 79.99 (about USD 100 to 107).
Watch outWind off the sea is common; expect headwinds on exposed seafront stretches.
“The first mile is uphill so take it slow” Charlie Watson (tips from past runners), The Runner Beans
- Air
- 8–13 °C (46–55 °F)
- Climbing
- 145 m (475 ft)
- Best
- Conditions 4.2
- Weakest
- Entry 3.7
Overall score 3.9Very good#52 of 297Moderate evidence · 8 sources
Climbing 128 m (420 ft)
3. adidas Manchester Marathon
Overall score 3.9Very goodModerate evidence · 8 sourcesTop 18%#52 of 297 overallManchester, United Kingdom · Last race 19 Apr 2026
Racers loveFlat: the organiser claims 54 m (177 ft) of gain; one runner measured about 128 m (420 ft).
Watch outUnpenned start waves: find your wave early and allow 10 to 15 minutes from bag drop.
“Its potential to get marathon PBs was spot on.” Racecheck (Carmen T.)
- Air
- 7–15 °C (45–59 °F)
- Climbing
- 128 m (420 ft)
- Field
- about 36,000
- Best
- Conditions 4.3
- Weakest
- Course 3.0
Overall score 3.9Very good#53 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 5 runner ratings
Climbing 150 m (490 ft)
4. Yorkshire Marathon
Overall score 3.9Very goodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 5 runner ratingsTop 18%#53 of 297 overallYork, United Kingdom · Last race 18 Oct 2026
Racers loveCourse passes York Minster and the city centre in the first miles.
Watch outWeather swings from sun to storm: Storm Ashley soaked 2024.
“a really well organised event” colin j., Dasen P., Liz Y., Matt H., Racecheck Yorkshire Marathon reviews (5…
- Air
- 6–14 °C (43–57 °F)
- Climbing
- 150 m (490 ft)
- Field
- about 5,000
- Best
- Entry 4.2
- Weakest
- Stay and travel 3.3
Overall score 3.7Very good#90 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 53 runner ratings
Climbing 222 m (730 ft)
5. Belfast City Marathon
Overall score 3.7Very goodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 53 runner ratingsTop 31%#90 of 297 overallBelfast, United Kingdom · Next race 2 May 2027
Racers loveFestival atmosphere, with loud crowds on the Falls Road and Ormeau Road according to every Racecheck reviewer.
Watch outFew toilets at Stormont and a slow shuttle from City Hall. Plan for queues.
“Loved every moment of this event!” 53 runner reviews, Racecheck
- Air
- 4–12 °C (39–54 °F)
- Climbing
- 222 m (730 ft)
- Field
- about 3,075
- Best
- Conditions 4.2
- Weakest
- Entry 3.1
Overall score 3.6Very good#94 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 9 runner ratings
Climbing 310 m (1,020 ft)
6. Baxters Loch Ness Marathon
Overall score 3.6Very goodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 9 runner ratingsTop 32%#94 of 297 overallInverness, United Kingdom · Next race 26 Sep 2027
Racers loveHighland loch-side setting; RaceRaves scenery 4.6 of 5.
Watch outCold, exposed coach start with little shelter; toilet queues are long and the last bus back takes over an…
“It is the most beautiful course I have run.” RaceRaves
- Air
- 6–14 °C (43–57 °F)
- Climbing
- 310 m (1,020 ft)
- Field
- about 4,000
- Best
- Course 4.8
- Weakest
- Entry 2.4
Overall score 3.6Very good#101 of 297Strong evidence · 7 sources + 117 runner ratings
7. Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
Overall score 3.6Very goodStrong evidence · 7 sources + 117 runner ratingsTop 34%#101 of 297 overallLeeds, United Kingdom · Next race 9 May 2027
Racers loveRacecheck reviewers say crowd support is huge: villages, sweets and hosepipes.
Watch outMarathoners merge with half-marathon runners around 34 km (21 mi) and lose time.
“Great event, terrible logistics from 21 miles.” 117 runners, Racecheck (Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon)
- Air
- 8–18 °C (46–64 °F)
- Field
- about 5,500
- Best
- Support 4.2
- Weakest
- Race 3.2
Overall score 3.5Very good#121 of 297Strong evidence · 6 sources + 302 runner ratings
Climbing 250 m (820 ft)
8. The Chelmsford Marathon
Overall score 3.5Very goodStrong evidence · 6 sources + 302 runner ratingsTop 41%#121 of 297 overallChelmsford, United Kingdom · Next race 10 Oct 2027
Racers loveSmall, friendly field with praised marshals and pacers.
Watch outNot flat: listings show 116 to 280 m (380 to 920 ft) of gain.
“an interesting and attractive route in the Essex countryside” 179 runners, Racecheck (Chelmsford Marathon)
- Air
- 6–15 °C (43–59 °F)
- Climbing
- 250 m (820 ft)
- Field
- about 500
- Best
- Stay and travel 4.0
- Weakest
- Course 3.0
Overall score 3.5Very good#128 of 297Strong evidence · 10 sources + 4 runner ratings
9. Edinburgh Marathon
Overall score 3.5Very goodStrong evidence · 10 sources + 4 runner ratingsTop 43%#128 of 297 overallEdinburgh, United Kingdom · Next race 30 May 2027
Racers loveNet drop of about 40 m (130 ft), with a downhill first 3 km (2 mi).
Watch outGetting back to the city: 2026 runners queued about 45 minutes and rode nearly an hour.
- Air
- 10–16 °C (50–61 °F)
- Field
- about 6,600
- Best
- Course 4.1
- Weakest
- Entry 2.5
Overall score 3.1Good#207 of 297Moderate evidence · 5 sources + 80 runner ratings
10. Halstead & Essex Marathon
Overall score 3.1GoodModerate evidence · 5 sources + 80 runner ratingsBottom 31%#207 of 297 overallHalstead, United Kingdom · Next race 9 May 2027
Racers love78 runners rate it 4.7 of 5 on the organiser's review page, praising marshals and water stops
Watch outHilly, with a long climb around miles 20 to 22 (km 32 to 35)
“organised by runners for runners” 78 runners, Eventrac reviews (Halstead Road Runners)
- Air
- 8–18 °C (46–64 °F)
- Field
- about 245
- Best
- Entry 3.6
- Weakest
- Stay and travel 2.4
Overall score 3.0Good#236 of 297Moderate evidence · 7 sources + 1 runner rating
11. Shakespeare Marathon
Overall score 3.0GoodModerate evidence · 7 sources + 1 runner ratingBottom 21%#236 of 297 overallStratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom · Next race 25 Apr 2027
Racers loveCountry lanes, thatched villages and a start by the River Avon.
Watch outTwo gravel Greenway stretches, narrow and lonely from 32 to 40 km (mile 20 to 25).
“Not a pb course but if you want to get away from the crowds it's a good one.” Peter Brown, Steel City Striders race report
- Air
- 4–15 °C (39–59 °F)
- Field
- about 1,700
- Best
- Entry 3.6
- Weakest
- Course 2.8
- Overall score 2.8Good#260 of 297
Moderate evidence · 5 sources + 41 runner ratings
12. Kent Spring Marathon
Overall score 2.8GoodModerate evidence · 5 sources + 41 runner ratingsBottom 13%#260 of 297 overallWoodchurch, United Kingdom · Next race 18 Apr 2027
Racers loveQuiet Kent lanes over two laps, 42.2 km (26.2 mi), licensed and measured
Watch outFrom 2027 the race moves to Woodchurch Green with a new two-lap route; earlier reviews describe the old course
- Air
- 6–14 °C (43–57 °F)
- Field
- about 112
- Best
- Entry 3.9
- Weakest
- Course 2.3
Overall score 2.7Good#268 of 297Moderate evidence · 6 sources
Climbing 6 m (20 ft)
13. Boston Marathon (Lincolnshire)
Overall score 2.7GoodModerate evidence · 6 sourcesBottom 10%#268 of 297 overallBoston, United Kingdom · Next race 11 Apr 2027
Racers loveAbout 6 m (20 ft) of climb over 42.2 km (26.2 mi), among the flattest road marathons in the country
Watch outWind: no hedges or trees on the fens, and 2026 runners faced 19 km (12 mi) of it
“The course is completely flat. And I mean flat.” Steel City Striders (James Rose)
- Air
- 5–11 °C (41–52 °F)
- Climbing
- 6 m (20 ft)
- Field
- about 1,020
- Best
- Entry 3.7
- Weakest
- Course 1.6
About these ratings
Races are ranked by an overall score out of 5, built from racer reviews and race reports, on the race itself, course, support, conditions, travel and entry. 5 is always the better end. How we rate
Marathon course: 42.2 km (26.2 mi).
89 racer reviews and race reports.
Browse all 13 races, A to Z
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