Tight connections/flight dilemma getting home from marathon

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I'm intending to run Loch Ness marathon on Sunday 2nd October - my friends go every year, I've never made it because I work term time only and can't take the Monday off. This year I'm determined to find a way!

I have to be at work 8am Monday. I can't drive either, as my legs will be way too tired.

The race starts at 10, I should finish by 2:30. Airport is about 30 mins drive but I don't know how road closures might affect that.

My options are:
Flight to Gatwick (5:25pm-7.05pm), train home, hopefully home by midnight
Flight via Belfast City Airport at 5:55pm. 2 separate flights, not connecting with 90 min between arrival & departure. Home by 10pm.
Flight to Bristol (4.05pm-5.25pm), 90 min train home. Home by 8:30
Caledonian sleeper train, leaves at 8pm, change trains at Crewe 5:30am, go straight to work

Which would you pick? I want the Bristol option but I'm not sure I can get to the airport in time. I'm worried about getting stuck in Belfast if something happens. I would like some sleep so the Gatwick and sleeper train option I'm wavering on. I'm really unsure!

Have you factored in check in times? The Bristol one doesn’t sound possible. I’d do Gatwick or the sleeper train.

Train, much less likely to miss it and you'll have time for a proper dinner

Train

so if you do finish at 2:30 how on earth are you going to get to the airport to check in by 3:30

I would get the sleeper train

Ridiculous as it seems, the Belfast City airport might be your best bet. It leaves the latest of your flights and City is a small airport so the connection time is loads.

Can you approach your head and wangle it as a sporting opportunity, good example for the kids, cross-curricular opportunities?

Book the most likely to happen journey. I'd go on the train overnight rather than relying on different flights, connections, security and check-in delays never mind finishing late, bag collection etc.

Where do you live/work?

Bristol Airport is only reached by own transport, taxi or bus (although one bus goes to Temple Meads Station)

The Caledonian sleeper certainly has its benefits (no check-in time) but you may get very little sleep. That said, I have higher hopes of the Caledonian sleeper after experiencing the Night Riviera recently; I did not find that comfortable (not the mattress, which was excellent, but the bed itself is cramped by the sofa back which has to fold out of the way to allow it become a bed - the Caledonian doesn't have that problem).

I wouldn't do the Belfast option, that looks way too much hassle with too much to go wrong.

I think I would go with the Gatwick option, or the sleeper if you're confident you'll be able to sleep (I appreciate having just run a marathon this may not be too difficult!)

Are you a good sleeper? If so, I'd take the sleeper train as then you have time to shower, eat and drink properly beforehand, get on train, crash out and sleep until 5.
If not, I'd do the Gatwick flight. You won't have time for the Bristol one

Sleeper, 100%. Much less stressful than the airport and I’d take 7 hours of train sleep over navigating an airport + 5 hours of sleep in my own bed. Airports make me genuinely ragey.

Sunday evening flights are delayed out of Belfast a lot, or we've been crazy unlucky. Often 30 mins to 2 hours. If you can afford it the train sounds the best.

Take the sleeper train. Book a first class double room so you get a big bed and they provide the toiletries and towels. You can get dinner and breakfast to your room.

Take some ear plugs.

You've all reflected my thought processes, which is reassuring! Agree the Bristol flight is out for a variety of reasons, not least it will make the whole marathon potentially stressful knowing I have to dash to the airport as soon as I finish.

Sadly there's no posh doubles left for the sleeper (£350!!!) only bunk rooms, but some en suite. It's expensive compared to the flight options BUT I think some form of quality rest is more likely - I can at least lay down for a good 9-10 hours even if my legs hurt too much to sleep properly and I have a good amount of time after the race to spend with my friends before I have to head to the station.

The other flight options are cheaper, but then once I figure out additional trains, taxis and so on maybe there's not a huge amount in it. I'm going to get a max of 6 or 7 hours in my bed and no rest other than that. Also I've not been on a sleeper since youthful misadventures while interrailing so I'm really looking forward to that!