Edinburgh Marathon 2024
The Edinburgh Marathon is a fantastic annual event that gives runners the chance to get fit and raise thousands for charity.
Governed by Scottish Athletics and run in Scotland, the traditional distance of the event is 42.195 kilometres. The first marathon event in Edinburgh was in 1982.
The all-encompassing route takes in some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks as well as offering picturesque views along the East Lothian coastline.
Here we outline all you need to know ahead of the race.
About the Edinburgh Marathon
If you’re considering doing the Edinburgh Marathon, it’s good to prepare and consider if you can complete the route or are available when it’s on.
This year’s event takes place on May 26th, 2024, at 10am.
The sprawling route is 26.2 miles long and is known for being a ‘flat and fast’ route. It starts at Potterrow with the picturesque backdrop of The University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall and then runs through the city.
A charity entry place does not cost anything. Entries for this year’s event are now closed though.
It’s not just the marathon that takes place, as the 10k event and 5k race are also going ahead.
How to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon
Although the entries for this year’s marathon have closed now, you can still enter for other events and fundraise along the way.
The 10k race is on May 25th, at 9am. Charity entry is free and Standard Entry starts from £34.00. Entries will close as soon as it reaches capacity.
The 5k event is also on May 25th, but at 11am. Like the 10k, it is free to enter with a charity place. Standard entry is £22.75
Fundraising for the Edinburgh Marathon
Taking part in the marathon or the other races held this weekend is a great opportunity to fundraise about causes you’re passionate about.
It can be for a charity, someone you know or a local service that you care about.
Even though the event is in May, it’s not too late to start fundraising and it couldn’t be easier to get started.
Why fundraise?
You can start a GoFundMe for a plethora of charities and funds are automatically transferred to them.
Marathons are excellent opportunities to fundraise, with millions raised each time an event happens.
Fundraising for a cause you’re passionate about can be a good way to give you motivation while undergoing training and difficult running sessions.
Not only can you raise money for your chosen cause, but also awareness and get people interested in the issue you care about.
How to start fundraising
Whether you’re fundraising for a large charity, as a group, or on your own it can be tricky to know how to get started.
Luckily we have a lot of fundraising tips that can help.
The first thing you need to do is give your fundraiser a title. You need to make it clear why you’re fundraising and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Next, is a good, engaging picture. This can be of you running, the person who you’re raising money for or a striking image of the race.
And then the most important part of your fundraiser comes – the description. You need to try and include as much detail as you can here, like why you’re fundraising and what it is you hope you’ll achieve.
Here you can mention the Edinburgh Marathon, how your training is going and maybe some details about what you hope to achieve in completing it.
How GoFundMe will support you
Once you’re all set up, GoFundMe can help you on your journey of fundraising while you take part in the Edinburgh Marathon.
It is free to start a fundraiser on GoFundMe. You also don’t need to raise a minimum amount, so the pressure is off.
You can also raise money for any cause or charity close to you.
We also have a dedicated customer care team to help you along the way should you have any queries.
Get inspired by Edinburgh Marathon Fundraisers
The Edinburgh Marathon brings together thousands of people every year and each event we see so many great fundraising stories.
Marathon fundraising on GoFundMe is hugely popular, with all ages and abilities taking part.
If you’re stuck for inspiration or wondering how to get started, check out some of our previous marathon fundraisers:
Edinburgh Marathon in Aid of The Cuan Centre
Róisín Leddy has raised thousands so far with her marathon fundraiser.
She is raising vital funds for the The Cuan Centre, a social support and wellness group that provides support services for anyone affected by cancer and their families.
Action for ME : Edinburgh Marathon
Meg Evans is running for Action for M.E.
She said chronic fatigue/ME has had a devastating impact on her whole family for the last 10 years and her sister was diagnosed with ME at 13.
Stephen Mcelroy is fundraising as part of a group taking on the Edinburgh Marathon together. They have so far raised hundreds for MacMillan Cancer support.
Start your Edinburgh Marathon fundraiser
You can start fundraising as soon as you’re registered to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon.
Starting fundraising early can be a great motivator for you as you start your training plan.
It’s also a great way of keeping your supporters and donors informed about how you’re doing.