The Main Event(s)
Great races with distances to suit runners of all abilities
1/ DINGLE MARATHON
Where Dingle, Ireland When September 17, 2017 Distances Marathon, half marathon
This is a race that will take your breath away – twice. More than 400 marathoners and 1,600 half marathoners head west from the town of Dingle, largely following the coast road to the village of Dunquin, with captivating views at every turn. Half-marathoners finish here and take a free bus back to await the marathoners, who continue to loop around the peninsula and return to where they started. dinglemarathon.ie
2/ BLACKPOOL MARATHON
Where Blackpool When April 23, 2017 Distances Marathon, half narathon, 10K
The Blackpool Marathon, half marathon and 10K all take runners up and down the promenade; the marathon and half start at the same point at 9am; the 10K goes 15 minutes later. Marathoners looping the promenade may feel a hint of déjà vu, but it’s a route with plenty to look at, including Blackpool’s iconic tower and piers. PB chasers take note: the course is flat and fast. fyldecoastrunners.com
3/ BOURNEMOUTH MARATHON
Where Bournemouth When October 7-8, 2017 Distances Marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K
Starting at 8am, the half marathon takes in the seafront promenade; the marathon starts two hours later and includes much of the same course, with an extension to Poole Harbour. The largely flat route offers PB potential. If you fancy a prerace race, there’s a seafront 10K and 5K on part of the marathon route the day before, beginning at 4pm and 7pm, respectively. There are also Junior 5K, 2km and 1.5km events, as well as a kids' kilometre race. bournemouthmarathon.com
4/ LEICESTER MARATHON
Where Leicester When October 2017, date TBC Distances Marathon, half marathon
Leicester has been in the public eye in the last year or so, thanks to the city's football team and Richard III’S remains being moved to the Cathedral following a long stay in a car park. Here’s your chance to see the newsworthy city. Around 2,500 runners start in Victoria Park, before the marathon and halfmarathon routes separate at mile six. The extra distance for marathoners is mainly through Leicestershire countryside; they then rejoin the half-marathon route for the return to the city centre. leicestermarathon.org.uk
5/ ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MARATHON
When May 27-28, 2017 Where Liverpool Distances Marathon, half marathon, 5K, mile fun run
Leave the headphones at home. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon route features 13 music stations – one for each mile – with bands playing sets to spur on runners and whip up the crowd. The marathon route head out towards Anfield and Goodison Park – and yet more music stations – before returning to rejoin the half-marathon course, with a few extra turns. The races start an
hour apart at Albert Dock and finish a few hundred metres away, at the city's Echo Arena. runrocknroll.com/liverpool
6/ ROBIN HOOD MARATHON
When September 24, 2017 Where Nottingham Distances Marathon, half marathon
Around 2,000 runners are expected to pound the streets of Nottingham in the 2017 Robin Hood Marathon, with a whopping 10,000 set to take part in the half. Expect plenty of merry men (and women) crossing the joint finish line at Victoria Embankment by the River Trent, though those running the full marathon should be ready to hear the noise from the finish about three miles before their race ends – there’s an out-and-back section to test the spirits. robinhoodhalfmarathon.co.uk
7/ GREAT WELSH MARATHON
When April 2017, date TBC Where Llanelli Distances Marathon, half marathon
The people of Llanelli are tough, known for rugby, coalmining and steelworking, so it’s hardly surprising that this is one of those events where marathoners outnumber their half counterparts – around 300 take on the full distance, compared with just under 200 in the half. All runners start together and head along the shore of Loughor estuary, taking in the sights of the south Llanelli coastline. Once the half marathon comes to an end, the full marathoners have to dig deep and run a second lap. greatwelshmarathon.org
8/ EDINBURGH MARATHON FESTIVAL
When May 27-28, 2017 Where Edinburgh Distances Marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K
In 1986, Scotland’s Liz Mccolgan, took gold in the 10,000m at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. Marathoners and half marathoners run past Meadowbank Stadium, the scene of her success, as they leave the city and embark on a four-mile stretch along Portobello Promenade. Half marathoners finish near Musselburgh Racecourse; marathoners continue on an out-and-back route before returning to finish in the same place as the half. The 10K and 5K runners get to stay in Edinburgh’s centre, charging round Holyrood Park. edinburghmarathon.com
9/ WALES MARATHON
When July 9, 2017 Where Tenby Distances Marathon, half marathon
Marathoners start in the pretty seaside town of Tenby and tackle a couple of steep ascents towards the ruins of Pembroke Castle, birthplace of Henry VII, where half marathoners gather. Two hours after the marathon, the half begins and all runners follow the same course back to Tenby. Time it right and you marathoners can pick up a running buddy from the half – you may need the company for the final miles. thewalesmarathon.com
10/ MOURNE WAY MARATHON
When June 10 Where Rostrevor, Co Down Distances Ultra, marathon, half marathon, 10K
This is fantasy country: CS Lewis, who was born in Belfast, based locations in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on the Mourne Mountains and the Game of Thrones crew have filmed here. There is just one route in the Mourne Way and competitors have different start points along it. Marathoners begin in Newcastle, on the east coast, and head uphill before a long descent to the finish in Rostrevor. Half marathoners avoid much of the climb, while 10K runners just have a descent. Of course, there’s always the 52-mile ultra… 26extreme.com