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RACING GUIDE · UK & WORLD
THE ULTIMATE
UK RACE GUIDE
From your first 10K to a World Marathon Major. Every race worth running — organised by distance, difficulty and date. Updated for 2026.
START HERE
BEST 10K RACES IN THE UK
The 10K is the perfect first race. Far enough to feel like an achievement, close enough to train for in 8 weeks. Here are the ones worth travelling for.
LONDON · ICONIC
VITALITY LONDON 10K
Closed roads through the heart of London — Big Ben, St Paul's, the Strand. One of the most atmospheric 10Ks in the country. Flat, fast and unforgettable for first-timers.
MANCHESTER · BIGGEST UK 10K
GREAT MANCHESTER RUN
The largest 10K in the UK with over 25,000 runners. City centre course, electric atmosphere, elite and mass participation on the same day. A bucket list 10K.
NORWICH · VOTED BEST UK 10K
CITY OF NORWICH 10K
Multiple times voted best 10K in the UK. Historic city streets, superb crowd support and a real race-day atmosphere. Surprisingly competitive for its size.
STEP UP
BEST HALF MARATHONS IN THE UK
13.1 miles. The perfect distance — long enough to be a real challenge, achievable with 10–12 weeks of consistent training. These are the ones that deliver.
NEWCASTLE · WORLD'S BIGGEST
GREAT NORTH RUN
Over 60,000 runners. Tyne Bridge start, sea finish at South Shields. The world's biggest half marathon and one of the loudest sporting events in the UK. An absolute must.
LONDON · MOST SCENIC
ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON
Hyde Park, Green Park, St James's, Kensington Gardens. Four Royal Parks, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace. The most beautiful urban half in the country. Sells out fast.
BATH · OLDEST & FLATTEST
BATH HALF MARATHON
Two laps through Georgian streets. One of the oldest half marathons in the UK, beloved for its flat fast course and incredible post-race atmosphere.
EDINBURGH · FASTEST IN SCOTLAND
EDINBURGH HALF MARATHON
City centre start, Musselburgh finish. Flat, fast and ideal for chasing a PB. Part of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival — upgrade to the full if you catch the bug.
CARDIFF · BIGGEST IN WALES
CARDIFF HALF MARATHON
Past Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium, finishing at Cardiff Bay. Massive crowd support, flat course and Welsh hospitality throughout.
HAMPTON COURT · MOST HISTORIC
HAMPTON COURT HALF
Past Henry VIII's Tudor palace, over Hampton Court Bridge, along the Barge Walk. One of the most unique and scenic half marathons in England.
THE BIG ONE
BEST MARATHONS IN THE UK
26.2 miles. The marathon is a different sport. Here are the UK races worth putting in your calendar — from iconic city events to stunning coastal routes.
LONDON · WORLD MARATHON MAJOR
TCS LONDON MARATHON
Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, 1.1 million ballot applications in 2026. The crown jewel. Enter the ballot every year. Apply for charity. Never stop trying.
MANCHESTER · FASTEST UK MARATHON
MANCHESTER MARATHON
The UK's second largest marathon with 36,000 runners. Flat, fast and friendly — the go-to choice for runners chasing a sub-4. Sells out quickly every year.
BRIGHTON · COASTAL EPIC
BRIGHTON MARATHON
UK's third largest marathon. Seaside course, superb crowd support, stunning coastal views. Part of the Brighton Marathon Weekend — the UK's hippest race city.
BUCKET LIST
THE 7 WORLD MARATHON MAJORS
Tokyo. Boston. London. Sydney. Berlin. Chicago. New York. Seven races. The most prestigious marathon series on the planet. Finish all seven and you earn the Six Star Medal.
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AFRICA · 24 MAY 2026
CAPE TOWN MARATHON
Candidate race for Major status. Table Mountain backdrop. If it passes evaluation — Africa's first World Marathon Major. One to watch.
STATUS: CANDIDATE RACE
THE BIG QUESTION
CAN ANYONE RUN A MARATHON?
Yes. With the right training plan and enough time. Here’s the realistic path from complete beginner to 26.2 miles.
WALK/RUN INTERVALS
1 min run, 2 min walk. 3x per week. Build the habit before the fitness.
RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY
20-30 minutes without stopping. You are now a runner. Enter a 5K.
FIRST 10K RACE
Your first race. Any time. Any pace. You finish and nothing is the same after.
HALF MARATHON
13.1 miles. The sweet spot. Many runners stop here — and that's perfectly fine.
THE FULL MARATHON
16-20 weeks of training. 4-5 runs per week. The average London finish time is 4hrs 39mins. You don't need to be fast. You just need to finish.
"The marathon doesn't care how long it takes you. The finish line is in the same place for everyone. What matters is that you cross it."