Date: 24th May 2026
Start time: 10am
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Entry: £30
Sponsorship: £600
Organiser: Edinburgh Running Festival
Contact: Acorns Events team
Telephone: 01564 825037
Please read the full terms and conditions before signing up.
Run at the Edinburgh Marathon 2026 with #TeamAcorns
Join #TeamAcorns for the second largest marathon in the UK. The Edinburgh Marathon has sold out every year since 2008, so get your place secured today.
Fast and flat, this course was voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runners World, ideal if it’s your first marathon or you are looking for a PB.
The marathon features in a weekend of events as part of the Edinburgh Running Festival. This has grown over the years and is now a major fixture in the Scottish sporting calendar.
The full weekend of events attracts around 30,000 runners, with thousands more lining the course to support. There are nine races on offer over two days including the Marathon, Half Marathon, 5k, 10k and more. There really is something for everyone, so why not make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Secure your charity place today
We are excited to offer a limited number of charity race entries for the 2026 marathon! Each place has a minimum fundraising target. Your charity entry includes:
- An Acorns water bottle and t shirt to use while you’re training
- Bespoke support from our specialist Events team to help with your training and fundraising
- Monthly check ins with our Events team as you build towards the big day
- A fundraising pack with ideas to help you meet your fundraising target
- An Acorns running vest to wear proudly on the big day
- Finishers’ t shirt
- Personalised event number with accurate timing chip
- Hydration and energy gel on route, and hydration and nutrition at the finish
- Results posted in your account within 48 hours
- A unique themed medal
- Post race finishers’ pack
Not quite up for the full marathon? That’s perfectly okay, every step counts!
Join us at the Edinburgh Running Festival and take on one of the incredible alternative challenges, whether it’s a 5k, 10k, or half marathon, you’ll experience the stunning sights of Edinburgh while making a huge difference.
No matter the distance, you’ll be a valued part of #TeamAcorns, helping to create lasting impact for the children and families supported by Acorns. Let’s go the distance together, your journey starts here!
Take on a race
Friends or family coming to cheer you on?
Let us know, and we’ll send them an Acorns Cheer Kit – complete with banners, noisemakers and plenty of spirit! Help your supporters go the extra mile and make some serious noise as you race towards the finish line!
Marathon route
Starting at Potterrow with the stunning backdrop of The University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall, this scenic city-centre marathon route showcases some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks.
Early in the course, you’ll pass Greyfriars Kirkyard, home to the beloved Greyfriars Bobby, before crossing the historic Royal Mile between St Giles’ Cathedral and the magnificent Edinburgh Castle.
Another highlight comes as the route winds through Princes Street Gardens, offering views of the striking Scott Monument, before leading past the Scottish Parliament and the dramatic backdrop of Arthur’s Seat and the Palace of Holyrood.
The course then follows the coastline to Portobello promenade and on to Musselburgh, where runners pass the world’s oldest golf course and the grand Gosford House. With a final flat stretch and a welcome descent of nearly 90 metres, the route concludes near sea level with a spectacular coastal finish – one of the fastest and most picturesque marathon endings in the world.
Already have a place in the race?
If you already have a place, you can still join #TeamAcorns and help to raise funds for local children and families. Our Events team will be on hand to support you throughout.
Kick start your fundraising
We’re here to support you all the way! By signing up for the event you will receive an Acorns running vest, support from our Events team to help with your training and fundraising and the amazing feeling you’ll get from knowing you’re making a real difference to local children! Here are some simple ways to give your fundraising a boost, if you need more support we’d be happy to help. Just get in touch at events@acorns.org.uk.
I want to join #TeamAcorns
If you have secured your place in the Edinburgh Running Festival and would like to support Acorns through your run, please fill out the form below and one of our team will be in touch soon.
Event details
Date: 25th April 2027
Time: 9am
Location: London
Entry Price: £100
Minimum Sponsorship: £2,600
Contact: Acorns Events team
Telephone: 01564 825037
Join #TeamAcorns at the TCS London Marathon 2027!
Join over 56,000 other runners taking on the most iconic 26.2 miles in the world at the TCS London Marathon 2027. Take in the incredible sights of London’s landmarks on this world famous route and help us provide vital care and support for local children and their families.
Thousands of people line the streets making the atmosphere incomparable, and an incredible day to remember!
Public ballot
The best way to secure a place in the TCS London Marathon 2027 is through the public ballot. This usually opens shortly before the 2026 race.
If you’re lucky enough to secure a place, you can still run as part of #TeamAcorns.
Charity places
Acorns Children’s Hospice has a limited number of charity places in the London Marathon which come with a minimum fundraising target.
To register your interest for one of our charity places in the TCS London Marathon 2027, please fill out the form below or contact our Events team.
If you were lucky enough to…
…secure a place, we would be delighted to welcome you to #TeamAcorns! By joining #TeamAcorns, you’ll receive:
- Dedicated support from our specialist Events team.
- The chance to join our London Marathon 2027 community to share tips, ask questions and learn from others, through a WhatsApp group and online meet and greet sessions.
- A personalised Acorns running vest with your name.
- An Acorns water bottle to help you during those months of training!
- A Q&A with a qualified physiotherapist to help look after those legs and feet!
- Access to a wide variety of fundraising ideas, materials and resources.
- Cheer squad materials for your friends and family.
- On the day cheer squad support to motivate you as you tackle the 26.2 miles!
Take a look at the London Marathon 2025!
London Marathon 2025 highlights
London Marathon 2025 in photos
Register your interest
Please fill out the form below to register your interest for the TCS London Marathon 2027.
Event details
Date: 26th April 2026
Time: 9am
Location: London
Entry Price: Free
Minimum Sponsorship: £2,500
Contact: Acorns Events team
Telephone: 01564 825037
Join #TeamAcorns at the TCS London Marathon 2026!
The TCS London Marathon is one of the most well-known races in the world and you have the opportunity to take on this huge challenge and to support Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets creating an incredible atmosphere. You will pass some of London’s most iconic landmarks and be joined by over 56,000 runners attempting the 26.2 mile distance.
Public ballot is now closed
The TCS London Marathon 2026 is a hugely popular event with most runners successfully gaining a place through the public ballot. If you’re lucky enough to have secured a place, we’d love to hear from you and have you run as part of #TeamAcorns.
Charity places
Applications for our 2026 charity places are now closed. Please register your interest to run for Acorns in the TCS London Marathon 2027.
If you were lucky enough to…
…secure a place, we would be delighted to welcome you to #TeamAcorns! By joining #TeamAcorns, you’ll receive:
- Dedicated support from our specialist Events team.
- The chance to join our London Marathon 2026 community to share tips, ask questions and learn from others, through a Whatsapp group and online meet and greet sessions.
- A personalised Acorns running vest with your name.
- An Acorns water bottle to help you during those months of training!
- A Q&A with a qualified physiotherapist to help look after those legs and feet!
- Access to a wide variety of fundraising ideas, materials and resources.
- Cheer squad materials for your friends and family.
- On the day cheer squad support to motivate you as you tackle the 26.2 miles!
Have your own place?
If you already have a place at the London Marathon 2026, you can still join #TeamAcorns and help to raise vital funds for local children and families. Our Events team will be on hand to support you throughout, including sharing fundraising ideas, providing a running vest to wear on the day, and more.
Take a look at the London Marathon 2025!
London Marathon 2025 highlights
London Marathon 2025 in photos
I have my own place
If you have a ballot place in the London Marathon 2026 and would like to support Acorns through your run, please fill our the form below and one of our team will be in touch soon.
Event details
Applications for Acorns charity places in 2025 are now closed.
Find out more about our charity places in the TCS London Marathon 2026.
Date: 27th April 2025
Time: 9am – 12.30pm
Location: Blackheath, London, SE3 7BT
Entry price: FREE
Minimum sponsorship: £2,500
Organiser: TCS London Marathon
Contact: Acorns Events team
Telephone: 01564 825037
Join #TeamAcorns at the TCS London Marathon!
The TCS London Marathon is one of the most well-known races in the world and you have the opportunity to take on this huge challenge and to support Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets creating an incredible atmosphere. You will pass some of London’s most iconic landmarks and be joined by 40,000 runners attempting the 26.2 mile distance.
If you were lucky enough to…
…secure a place, we would be delighted to welcome you to #TeamAcorns! Please use the form below to join the team.
You will receive:
- Dedicated support from our specialist events team.
- The chance to join our London Marathon 2025 community to share tips, ask questions and learn from others.
- An Acorns running vest.
- An Acorns water bottle to help you during those months of training!
- A Q&A with a qualified physiotherapist to help look after those legs and feet!
- Access to a wide variety of fundraising ideas, materials and resources.
- Cheer squad materials for your friends and family.
- On the day cheer squad support to motivate you as you tackle the 26.2 miles!
Kick start your fundraising
We’re here to support you all the way! By signing up for the event you will receive an Acorns running vest, support from our Events team to help with your training and fundraising and the amazing feeling you’ll get from knowing you’re making a real difference to local children! Here are some simple ways to give your fundraising a boost, if you need more support we’d be happy to help. Just get in touch at events@acorns.org.uk.
Please choose an option:
If you already have a place in the London Marathon and would like to support Acorns through your run, please fill out the form below and one of our team will be in touch soon.
Let us know if you’re interested in a charity place for the London Marathon 2026. Complete the form below and we will be in touch when applications open.
Event details
Date: 26th May 2024
Start time: 9am
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Entry price: £30
Minimum sponsorship: £600
Organiser: Edinburgh Running Festival
Contact: Acorns Events team
Telephone: 01564 825037
Please read the full terms and conditions before signing up.
Register your interest for 2025
Register your interest for 2025
Come and join #TeamAcorns at Scotland’s BIGGEST running festival!
This ever-growing festival of running is now a major event in the Scottish sporting calendar. Starting in Edinburgh, the course heads out through East Lothian offering stunning views and an unforgettable running experience. The marathon route is one of the fastest in the UK making that elusive personal best a distinct possibility!
The full weekend of events attracts around 30,000 runners, with thousands more lining the course to support. There are 9 races on offer over two days including the marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10k, 5k and junior races. There really is something for everyone, so why not make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Charity places
Registrations for the Edinburgh Marathon 2024 are now closed, but we would love for you to run for us! Use the button below to register your interest and we will inform you about next year’s event details as soon as they are released.
Already have a place in the marathon?
If you already have a place, you can still join #TeamAcorns and help to raise funds for local children and families. Our events team will be on hand to support you throughout.
Kick start your fundraising
We’re here to support you all the way! By signing up for the event you will receive an Acorns running vest, support from our Events team to help with your training and fundraising and the amazing feeling you’ll get from knowing you’re making a real difference to local children! Here are some simple ways to give your fundraising a boost, if you need more support we’d be happy to help. Just get in touch at events@acorns.org.uk.
I want to join #TeamAcorns and I already have a place!
If you already have a place in the Edinburgh Marathon and would like to support Acorns through your run, please fill out the form below and one of our team will be in touch soon.