10 Scottish marathons you can take part in this year

TAKING part in a marathon is a great way to raise money for your favourite charity and keep you motivated to stay fit and active. Here in Scotland, we have a whole variety of marathons on a mix of terrains and in beautiful locations across the country. We take a look at just a few marathons you can get your running shoes on for this year

Picture: The Edinburgh Marathon is popular with runners

Edinburgh Half Marathon

Location: Edinburgh, Lothian.

Date: May 29th

Picture: Scotland has some of the best locations for marathons

Distance: 26.2 miles

Entry fee: £33

The Edinburgh half marathon is ideal as a first marathon or if you’re looking to secure a personal best. The terrain is described as flat and fast, making it less physically than those with inclines.

The marathon proudly supports Macmillan Cancer Support as the official charity but other affiliate charities are also given generous donations by participants including Alzheimer Scotland, Breast Cancer Care, British Heart Foundations, Maggie’s and Prostate Cancer UK.

Picture: Scotland has some of the best locations for marathons

Sign up for the half marathon here.

Glencoe Marathon Gathering

Location: Glencoe, Highland

Date: Sunday 2nd October

Distance: 26.2 miles

Entry Fee: Marathon: £80, Half Marathon: £70, 10K: £45

The Glencoe Marathon Gathering is a serious challenge of fitness, robustness and resilience and a true test of endurance.

Embarking on the gathering will see participants follow the route between Glencoe and Glen Nevis, take on the Devil’s Staircase and a 500 metre climb over the eastern edge of Aonach Eagach Ridge. The Mamores Half Marathon and Cornerstone Canter join the marathon route at Kinlochleven while the Glen Nevis 10K circumnavigates and summits Cow Hill behind Fort William adding 360 degree views of highland mountains and coastlines.

Glencoe Marathon Gathering allows participants to fundraise for any charity of their choice. The 2015 event supported Venture Scotland and Project Northern Light.

Sign up here.

Fort William Marathon

Location: Fort William, Highland

Date: July 31st

Distance: 26.21 miles (approx)

Entry fee: £45

The Fort William Marathon follows a multi-terrain route but is described as Scotland’s friendliest marathon. The race takes place in the heart of the Scottish Highlands and takes participants on a journey through some of the area’s most stunning scenery including Ben Nevis, Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal and Neptune’s Staircase, The Commado Memorial, General Wade’s High Bridge and the old railway viaduct.

Sign up here.

Strathearn Marathon

Location: Perthshire

Date: 12th June

Distance: 26.2 miles

Entry fee: £25

Held in Perthshire, the Strathearn Marathon is one of the stand-out events in the Scottish running calendar. The race is organised by Strathearn Harriers and follows quiet B roads in Strathearn, starting and finishing at Cultybraggan Camp just outside Comrie, with about 1500 feet ascent.

Runners are able to chose which charity to fundraise for to help them persevere through the stretch.

Sign up here.

Loch Ness Marathon

Location: Bught Park, Inverness

Date: 25th September

Entry fee: £48

The Loch Ness marathon is full of breathtaking views of the Scottish landscape. The route takes participants along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness and into the centre of Inverness. Popular among those who wish to raise money for a good cause, enjoy the settings and achieve own personal goals, the race is a notable fixture in the running calendar.

The official charity for 2016 is Macmillan Cancer Support who support those affected by cancer. Five affiliate charities (Alzheimer Scotland, Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, Highland Hospice, MND Scotland & MS Society Scotland) have also been chosen to recieve donations.

Sign up here.

Loch Rannoch Marathon

Location: Kinloch Rannoch, Perth & Kinross

Date: 16th October

Distance: 26.2 miles

Entry fee: £33

Loch Rannoch marathon takes runners on a relatively flat perimeter of the loch with some undulating sections. As well as putting your fitness to the test and raising money for a good cause, runners can also take in some great scenery during the race which starts and finishes at Weller Poley Park.

Sign up here.

Dundee Running Adventure Marathon

Location: Dundee, Tayside

Date: TBC

Distance: 26.2 miles

Entry fee: TBC

Dundee Running Adventure Marathon is a multi-terrain marathon which follows a route round the city of Dundee and is open to 300 runners.

In contrast to the flat and fast terrain of Edinburgh, Dundee is described as rough and ready and unlike any other marathon in Scotland. Beginning at Camperdown Park, the route follows a clockwise course taking in the city’s popular Green Circular cycleway. Runner pass through wooded areas, parkland and along a lengthy stretch of the northern banks of the River Tay.

With relay changeover points, potential traffic-crossing hotspots and testing undulations it’s unlikely you will finish the adventurous marathon with a personal best.

Charities supported by DRAM include St Mungos, Genetic Disorders UK and Cancer Research UK, however, other charity donations are welcome.

Moray Marathon

Location: Elgin, Moray

Date: TBC

Distance: TBC

Entry Fee: TBC

Moray Marathon is the longest running marathon in Scotland having first taken place in 1982. Its terrain is varied with sandy and rocky shores, rivers, lochs and mountainous areas all included. The race follows a clockwise loop with the starting and finishing line in the Cooper Park in Elgin with the 13th century Elgin Cathedral forming an outstanding backdrop.

River Ayr Way Challenge

Location:

Date: 19th September (TBC)

Distance:

Entry fee: TBC

Since opening in 2006, the River Ayr Way attracts around 100,000 people each year. Of all the events held throughout the year, the River Ayr Way Challenge is the most popular. The event is inundated with people taking part as a sponsored event and raising money for a good cause. Recent challenges have seen money raised for various charities including Cancer Research UK, the Fairy Box Charity and Scottish Cancer Support.

Entry for the event will open on April 1st.

Jedburgh Three Peaks Marathon

Location: Jedburgh

Date: TBC

Distance: 38 miles

Entry fee: TBC (approx £30)

The Jedburgh Three Peaks Marathon includes the three peaks of the Eildons, roughly 3700ft of ascent. The marathon is part of the Jedburgh Running Festival which also includes a half marathon and 10k race. Over 30 miles of the course is off-road and several sections are usually very muddy, making it ideal for anyone who wants to push their fitness limits and try a new kind of running experience.

2015’s entry fee was donated to their main charity Scottish Action for Mental Health as well as various other charities of their choosing.