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Original poster

Best non city UK marathons

36 replies

Cwcwbird · 05/10/2022 07:06

Just read the London marathon with interest. I've never been that bothered about running London personally. I've done the snowdonia marathon and loved that. What are people's marathon recommendations that are trail or non city? I've been eying up the Loch Ness marathon, anyone done it who would recommend it?

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Zerotorunninghero · 05/04/2023 20:53

@DrivingTheoryTest ooh thank you, that sounds like a good recommendation and I'll check out that particular plan.

DrivingTheoryTest · 05/04/2023 15:42

@Zerotorunninghero if you need a training plan I really recommend Hal Higdon's Boston plan - all his plans are free, you only pay if you want to use the interactive app.

I've used his plans for a little while now and I really like them. The reason I suggest the Boston plan is because the profile is pretty similar - downhill for the first 5 miles & then a couple of wicked hills towards the end.

Zerotorunninghero · 03/04/2023 23:08

@DrivingTheoryTest ah the upside of remote working! I've found a room in Fort augustus and it looks like staying there makes the bus journey to the start line significantly shorter which is good.

When I am running (which is more intermittent than consistent) then it's in all mix of weather and I live in Scotland so hoping the weather can't be too much of a surprise for me. I went out today and it was only 10c and I was too hot!

DrivingTheoryTest · 03/04/2023 22:07

We were apparently very lucky with the weather - it was dry 97% of it. It usually rains a lot according to my friend who's done it several times.

The course is great, couple of challenging hills at 18 & 22 miles. First 5 miles is downhill so that gives your quads a good thrashing if you've not trained for it.

Can't fault the organisation at all.

I'll be working remotely on the Monday so I won't have to make my way to the office at least, but it's a matter of working out where I can work from and what my options are for getting home on the Monday evening. So in some ways the logistics are more complicated as it's technically possible but there's more organisation involved. If I had to get to the office for 8am it would definitely not happen

Zerotorunninghero · 03/04/2023 21:58

@DrivingTheoryTest how did you find it last year?

You must have a long way to travel if it's the sleeper train. Do you have some travel options up your sleeve should you decide to go for it in October?

DrivingTheoryTest · 03/04/2023 21:40

Zerotorunninghero · 03/04/2023 21:33

Hi all, did anyone on here end up signing up for the loch ness marathon this October?

I'm trying to find an online friend to share the highs and lows of training with!

I'm considering signing up again, I did it last year for the first time. Didn't acquit myself well (I wasn't feeling 100% on the day) so I'd really like another go.

Only thing that's holding me back is the logistics. I can't take any time off work so there was a complex journey home on the sleeper train on the Sunday but that's not going to work for me this year as I'm moving this summer.

Zerotorunninghero · 03/04/2023 21:33

Hi all, did anyone on here end up signing up for the loch ness marathon this October?

I'm trying to find an online friend to share the highs and lows of training with!

Winter99Mermaid · 16/10/2022 20:50

These guys do some well organised events in the SW www.puretrail.uk/

Original poster
Cwcwbird · 16/10/2022 20:46

Thanks for the other suggestions! I quite like the sound of 2 tunnels. I am indeed Welsh... I'd need to look at the route for that Llanelli one, I love Pembrey but I'm not a fan of the coastal path. It's weird, I love the seaside/beaches but I hate running along a big sweeping bit of coastline. I think it's because the view stays the same for a long period of time so you feel like you're not getting anywhere!

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RhubarbFairy · 16/10/2022 18:40

The Two Tunnels Marathon in Bath is good. I did the Challenge a few years ago (10k, half and marathon) purely because I wanted the interlocking medals. It's a mixture of trail and paved and you briefly pop into the centre of Bath.

www.relishrunningraces.com/bath-two-tunnels-marathon.php

Sparrow80 · 16/10/2022 18:31

I’m guessing you’re Welsh from name and comments and if so you must come and do the Great Welsh Marathon in Llanelli / Pembrey. Flat … ish (ha) but ever so friendly. April. Small group, feels like a run along the seaside and you can stop for ice cream if you want 😂👏🏼

reigatecastle · 14/10/2022 16:35

If you want hilly trail the Pilgrims half in Surrey gets fantastic reviews, along the North Downs' way.

Thecatisboss · 05/10/2022 21:12

I did the Yorkshireman half marathon in September (having swopped from the full one 2 weeks before as my training got interrupted by covid).

Lovely scenery round Haworth, great snacks, lovely atmosphere.

Original poster
Cwcwbird · 05/10/2022 21:04

Thanks again all - so many to look at. Tenby is possibly a bit too close to home for me, I fancy an adventure somewhere further away in the UK!

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fellrunner85 · 05/10/2022 12:10

Lakeland Trails is beautiful - all on trail and not that hilly as far as the Lake District goes. Would also recommend New Forest, and Kielder.

seperatedmum · 05/10/2022 11:41

seperatedmum · 05/10/2022 11:39

Chelmsford! once you're out of the park and nice town it's country and gorgeous, not flat tho

sorry you wanted trail, Chelmsford is road, Stort 30?

seperatedmum · 05/10/2022 11:39

Chelmsford! once you're out of the park and nice town it's country and gorgeous, not flat tho

poorbuthappy · 05/10/2022 11:25

Tenby long course marathon. Although I've never done it I've watched it loads! Can I recommend based on friends enjoying it?.🤣

Original poster
Cwcwbird · 05/10/2022 11:21

That looks good thanks Edith. I would prefer a marathon at this time of year. It was one of things I liked about snowdonia - training in the summer when you have longer days. I don't mind cold weather training but I hate running in the dark.

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EdithWeston · 05/10/2022 11:04

You've just missed it for this year, but you might like the one road Rutland water (fairly flat!)

www.therutlandmarathon.co.uk/

Ifailed · 05/10/2022 11:01

I think I’ve gone off doing another marathon but Beachy Head looks very good.

The South Downs Way from Brighton race course to Eastbourne is marathon distance, you can do that any time you want to.

Original poster
Cwcwbird · 05/10/2022 10:30

Thanks so much, loads of great sounding ones for me to check out. I love Dorset so I fancy the idea of that one. I don't think I could cope with self navigation, it's definitely not my strong point and the extra stress of that would be too much I reckon

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Lastqueenofscotland2 · 05/10/2022 08:57

Loch Ness is great. There is one hill that’s quite a bugger at 18ish that goes on for ever but is still net downhill.
If you want flat Boston U.K. is the flattest in Europe.
Yorkshire starts and finishes in York but is mostly pretty rural.
Off road you’ve got the classic fell ones - Saunders/OMM/Manx mountain marathon etc I think they are self navved though

emmathedilemma · 05/10/2022 08:03

Everyone seems to enjoy Loch Ness, it’s the bus ride to the start that puts me off!

Someaddedsugar · 05/10/2022 07:36

Kielder Marathon was last weekend - all around the reservoir. Looks very scenic!