Runners in Edinburgh encouraged to sign up for 2026 Race The Tram! event
Racers hope to beat trams to the finish lines as unique event returns
Keen runners will be racing to beat Edinburgh’s trams on Sunday as a unique event returns to the Scottish capital.
Open to anyone who fancies taking on the challenge, Race The Tram! 2026 will see runners board the 8am tram at Edinburgh Park Central on April 26 before alighting at stops along the route to race the tram back.
With the tram doors acting as the starting gun, racers can choose to get off at St Andrew Square, the Foot of the Walk or the tram’s Newhaven terminus.
Those getting off at St Andrew Square have 70 minutes to run the 5.5 miles back to Edinburgh Park Central, while those up for the challenge have 60 and 50 minutes respectively to get back from the Foot of the Walk and Newhaven.
There are no road closures or official route in place and organiser Blast Running said the event was more a test of local knowledge and strategy “to plot your own fastest, flattest, or most fun route back to Edinburgh Park Central”.
All successful participants will receive a goodie bag and a race memento, and there are prizes for the first male and female runners to make it back from each start location.
Although the race is not chip timed, last year’s winner Arthur Crummie completed the 7.5 miles from Newhaven to the finish line in an impressive 33 minutes and 40 seconds.
An optional £1 of the £20 entry fee going towards Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research to honour the daughter of Blast Running competitor and marshal Alan Glynn, who died from the disease in 2011.
Race director Catriona Bruce spoke ahead of last years’ inaugural event and said that she was inspired by London’s annual “Fulham Dash” which sees runners sprint 1.5 miles to beat the District Line to board the same train they got off from.
Registration will take place between 7am and 7.40am at Patina Bakery, with those planning to enter on the day advised to enter by 7.15 am.