Event Spectator Information Pack

Welcome to the Edinburgh Marathon Festival (Saturday) spectator information pack.

Plan your day using the information below and come along to cheer runners at the start, along the course, or at the finish, your support makes a real difference.

Whether you’re cheering on friends and family or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Edinburgh Marathon Festival promise an incredible day of energy, excitement, and inspiration. From the 5K and 10K to the Junior and Kids’ events, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Share with your friends and Family!

• Saturday Spectator Pack - click here.

• Marathon Spectator Pack - click here.

• Half Marathon Spectator Pack - click here.

• Team Relay Marathon Spectator Pack - click here.

Questions

If you have any questions please refer to the Edinburgh Marathon Festival FAQ section.

🚗 Please view the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Transport Information and plan your travel arrangements accordingly. 

⚠️ For more information on view our Edinburgh Marathon Festival FAQ section.

📍 Know the Course & Key Times: Familiarise yourself with the route, especially start and finish lines in Holyrood Park.

👟 Dress Comfortably: Edinburgh weather can be changeable—wear layers, comfy shoes, and be ready for anything!

⏰ Arrive Early: Get to your spot 15–30 minutes ahead to settle in, find a good viewpoint, and enjoy the build-up.

💧 Stay Energised: Bring water and snacks to keep you going throughout the day.

📸 Capture the Memories: Snap a few great moments—but always be mindful of runners and others around you.

⚠️ Respect the Course: Stay outside the race barriers and follow instructions from marshals and stewards.

🎉 Make it a Day Out: Bring a friend or the family and share in the celebration—your support means the world to the runners!

1. Start Line

📍 Location: Next to Broad Pavement Carpark, Holyrood Park (what3words location:///woods.this.stable).

2. Course  

📍 Location: Queen's Drive (what3words location:///salads.crush.notes).

🏃 This stretch is part of the route for the 2K, Junior 5K, 10K, and 5K races, cheering here can really lift runners during a key part of their event.

3. Finish Line 

📍 Location: Holyrood Gait, next to Dynamic Earth (what3words:///clots.venue.couple).

📸 Great photo opportunities with Arthur’s Seat and the Scottish Parliament as a backdrop, it’s a beautiful place to capture the moment.

The Start & Finish Lines

📍 Start Line: Next to Broad Pavement Carpark, Holyrood Park (what3words location: ///backed.shade.defeat).

🏁 Finish Line: Holyrood Gait, beside Dynamic Earth (what3words location:///bring.flip.gifted). 

ℹ️  We would encourage all spectators to make their way here to cheer on the runners across the various events.

ℹ️ There are various crossing points in operation, so please follow Event Team instructions at all times and don't attempt to walk on the course!  

10K Route

5K Route

Junior 5K Route

2K Route

1.5K Route 

Kids Kilo Route

EMF Event Hub Opening Hours:

📅  Saturday 23rd May

⏰  07:30 - 18:00

📍 Dynamic Earth (what3words location:///sung.bolt.frogs).

In the Event Hub, you will find:

• Event Number Station (for Saturday & Sunday participants)

• Run4It shop, including EMF merchandise

• Charity stands: Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society & Alzheimer Scotland

• Food outlets

• Lost Property (for Saturday events, at the Event Number Station) 

Our events do not use live tracking, however there are many other ways your family & friends can track participants:

1. Strava Beacon 

Compatibility: Apple and Android

Strava Beacon allows runners to share their real-time location with anyone they want. When Beacon is activated, the runner can go into the Strava app and select any contacts they want to send a notification text to with their location. 

The link sent to you via text will open in a browser, so you don't need to have the Strava app, or be a Strava user, to see your runner. 

To find out more, visit the Strava website.

2. Find My 

Compatibility: Apple 

The "Find My Friends" app is available on iPhone and allows users to share their location with friends and family members Here's how it works:

The runner can choose to share their current location with specific individuals for a set period of time or indefinitely. They have control over who can see their location and can customise sharing settings for each person.

The runner can send invitations to friends or family members to share their location. Once the invitation is accepted, you'll see each other's real-time location on a map.

To find out more, visit the Apple website.

3. Google Maps 

Compatibility: Apple and Android

Google Maps offers a feature called "Location Sharing" that allows users to share their real-time location with others. Here's how it works:

Access: The runner open Google Maps, navigate to the menu, and select "Location Sharing."

Sharing: The runner chooses contacts to share their location with and sets a duration for sharing.

Real-time tracking: You will receive a notification and can view the runner's real-time location on a map.

To find out more, visit Google Support.

4. Whatsapp Live Location

Compatibility: Apple and Android

Live Location allows you to share your real-time location with the members of an individual or group chat.

• Open an individual or group chat.
• Tap attach > Location > Share live location.
• Select the length of time you'd like to share your live location. Your live location will stop being shared after the selected amount of time.
• You can also enter a comment and emoji.
• Tap send.

To find our more, click here.

Join in one of the UK’s most popular running events and experience the Edinburgh Marathon Festival on 29/30 May 2027.

Whether your aim is to return to running and smash an old PB, or take a challenging step-up to a new distance, there’s something for everyone! Choose from 9 distances including marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10k, 5k and junior events and run beautiful routes through the heart of Edinburgh.

🏖️ May Bank Holiday weekend

🏰 Beautiful routes

📍 9 distances to choose from

🥇 Scotland's biggest running festival

Enter now to guarantee your place - www.edinburghmarathon.com

Make sure you keep up-to-date with all the Edinburgh Marathon Festival action by following our social media channels: Facebook & Instagram.

We will be sharing lots of exciting updates in the lead up to the Edinburgh Marathon Festival so stay tuned!

📲 Tag us in your event photos via our official hashtag #EMF2026 #EdinburghMarathonFestival

You may be familiar with MyRunning if you've participated in an event with us previously, but regardless of if you are new, or if you want a refresher on what you can do within your MyRunning account, here are some of the highlights... 

🗓️ Plan your event year - With everything from a marathon to half marathons, 10ks, 5ks and fun runs. MyRunning has a host of UK events for you to choose from.

🏃 Training plans - available for beginner, intermediate or advanced runners. Ability to access them from your MyRunning dashboard.

🤝 Fundraising - Our fundraising section in MyRunning allows you to easily see your total fundraising amount in the one place. 

🛍️ Discounts from partners - With an entry you have access to MyRunning benefits which has great discounts from partners like Run4it.

🏆 Results and event stats -  When you’ve taken part in other MyRunning events, take a trip down memory lane and view your previous finish times and category positions.

 Click here to create a MyRunning account today for free!