Scotland’s capital city was voted the second best destination in the UK for a city marathon, behind only London and ahead of Brighton, Dublin, Liverpool, as well as Manchester. The award by Running Fitness magazine builds on the Edinburgh Marathon’s recent success after the race joined the world’s elite road races by becoming the first in Scotland to be officially recognized by the IAAF, the athletics governing body.
Running Fitness magazine editor, David Castle, said: “"It’s little surprise that Edinburgh Marathon is a firm favourite with readers of Running Fitness magazine.
“If you couple the beauty of the Scottish capital with excellent organisation and a brilliant atmosphere, then you have a race that ticks many people’s boxes. Add to that the fact that it has to be one of the fastest marathon courses in the country and you’ve got a real winner."
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is second in UK marathon size only to London. The International Association of Athletics Federations bronze label recently awarded to the Edinburgh Marathon puts the race among the top 75 in the world making it a pivotal part of the sporting calendar for runners.
Since it started it has had an economic impact of more than 25 million for the capital and helped raise more than 30 million pounds for hundreds of charities. Together with the Edinburgh Marathon Festival’s partnership charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and hundreds of other other charities, the organisers are hoping to break all previous records and raise even more in 2013.
As well as the full marathon, the festival also includes a half marathon, a relay race, a 10K, a 5K and junior races.
Entries are now open for the 2013 event, which takes place on May 25 and 26.
Edinburgh Marathon Festival director, Neil Kilgour said: “We’re proud that we’ve helped build the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in to one of the UK’s major running occasions.
“Edinburgh Marathon Festival has it all- a great city that acts as a stunning backdrop to the events and a programme of races that means that everyone is catered for from kids to veterans. We’re looking forward to next year and welcoming back the thousands of runners who’ve supported us over the years plus the thousands who will be joining us for the first time.”
Entries are open for the 2013 event, which takes place on May 25 and 26. To enter go to www.edinburgh-marathon.com