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Marathon 2026 - Alternatives to London

30 replies

xsquared · 01/08/2025 23:31

In theory, I can enter London with a GFA time. However, my training partner and I want to do one together next year, after she forgot to defer this year.

Our next choice would have been Manchester, and we naively thought there would still be spaces left, given we entered on New year's eve a few years ago. That has sold out already, probably because filled up with London ballot rejectees!

Brighton has been mentioned, but again that has sold out too.

Edinburgh seems to be the likeliest option at the moment, although a few people have said negative things about it.

We are ultimately looking for a flattish road marathon in order to get a qualifying time for our age.

If you've done a few, which ones would you recommend, and if you've done Edinburgh, how did it compare to say, London?

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
JustifiedNotAncient · 02/08/2025 11:01

I personally preferred Edinburgh to London - less crowded (depends on your views of crowds though!) and a fast, flat course with some downhill at the start. As a wildcard suggestion how about Loch Ness? While it’s not flat I thought it was quite fast, with the exception of a long hill at around mile 20. Previously it’s taken place before the GFA cut-off, it’s point-to-point and it’s stunning!

CanOfMangoTango · 02/08/2025 10:51

I've not done Shakespeare but a friend has and she wouldn't do it again.

I've done a different 2 lapper and I didn't enjoy it.

xsquared · 02/08/2025 10:42

Onewildandpreciouslife · 02/08/2025 05:52

You made me panic about Brighton and I’ve just booked it, so not sold out yet!

Ah, I must have mistook it for another distance or something as I'm sure I saw it was sold out! Okay, I'll add that to the short list.

@NotMyRealAccount Thanks for suggestions. I did look at the Shakespeare one as well, but I'm in two minds about ones that have two laps for a marathon. Would that somehow male it mentally tougher because you think "I have to do this all over again!"

OP posts:
Onewildandpreciouslife · 02/08/2025 05:52

You made me panic about Brighton and I’ve just booked it, so not sold out yet!

NotMyRealAccount · 01/08/2025 23:48

Belfast is just after London and has a good big city marathon atmosphere. It's not completely flat but it has the potential to be a fast course.

Edit to add: Shakespeare, on the same day as London, is also a good option. Newport is flat and fast and well organised.