Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2020: confirmed date for postponed race, marathon route and how to enter

With confirmed cases of coronavirus continuing to rise, large-scale events are being cancelled in a bid to stop the spread of the virus
Are you signing up for the new dates for the marathon? (Photo: Jane Barlow)Are you signing up for the new dates for the marathon? (Photo: Jane Barlow)
Are you signing up for the new dates for the marathon? (Photo: Jane Barlow)

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called on gatherings of more than 500 people to be cancelled.

Many events across Edinburgh have been cancelled, and the Edinburgh Marathon was one of them – but now a new date for the marathon has been announced.

Here’s what you need to know.

These are the symptoms you need to look out for (Photo: WHO)These are the symptoms you need to look out for (Photo: WHO)
These are the symptoms you need to look out for (Photo: WHO)

What have the organisers of Edinburgh Marathon said?

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The organisers have said that they have been working closely with the local authorities in Edinburgh and East Lothian, and are now ready to reveal the new date for when the 2020 marathon will take place.

Instead of Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 of May, the marathon will now kick off on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, 2020.

Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Race Director, says: “We are grateful that an alternative date has been secured for the event and we want to thank those who have been part of making this happen.”

After fielding many questions regarding whether the event is still going forward amid coronavirus concerns, the Edinburgh Marathon 2020 had initially released a statement on Friday 13 March.

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It said: “The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May. Naturally, we are closely monitoring developments relating to the spread of coronavirus in the UK and we will continue to take advice given by Scottish and UK Government and keep participants updated with any developments.”

“It would be remiss of us not to await this information before making key decisions about the best course of action for both our participants, and for the future of the event,” the statement explains.

However on Saturday 14 March, the news that the event would be postponed was announced, with Kilgour saying: “We are devastated to have to make this decision but we believe that this course of action is in the best interests of our participants, our affiliate charities, the event team who deliver the event and the emergency services who support the event.”

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How to enter

Entries for the 2020 event have now been reopened and will remain open until 12 noon on Friday 22 May – or until the marathon has reached capacity.

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You can enter the event online by going to the Edinburgh Marathon 2020 website here.

If you had already signed up to the event, the statement from the Edinburgh Marathon 2020 team says: “We sincerely hope that you will be able to join us on the 5th & 6th September, however, if that is not possible, we have extended the entry transfer period until 5pm on Friday 31st July so you have an opportunity to transfer your entry to another runner.”

What is the marathon route?

The event is open to those aged 18 years or older and will start at Edinburgh’s Potterrow and finish at Pinkie Playing Fields.

The route will take you past Greyfriars Bobby, the National Museum of Scotland, down the Mound, past the Scottish National Gallery and into Princes Street Gardens.

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From there, you’ll run past the Scott Monument, down the historic Royal Mile and towards the Scottish Parliament Building.

Take in the sights of Arthurs Seat and the Salisbury Crags as you pass the Palace of Holyrood, departing from the Royal Park and head towards the coast. As you reach Musselburgh, you’ll pass the oldest golf course in the world before reaching even further east on the flat to Gosford House.

From there, you’ll turn and head back along the coast where you’ll have the finish line in your sights.

The marathon is 26.2 miles long in total.