Join SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival - a celebration of running through the streets of Scotland's Capital - and a fantastic day out for both runners and spectators alike!

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival takes place on the May Day Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May.

There are 9 events you can enter, suitable for all abilities of runners - from a 1km Kids run, through 5 and 10km all the way to the full 26.2 mile Edinburgh Marathon!

Each event at the 2026 Edinburgh Marathon Festival promises to be a huge amount of fun, with flat courses taking participants around and through the picturesque Holyrood Park.  Half and full Marathon runners will see even more of the city, running past many of the iconic Edinburgh landmarks, and along part of the Lothian coastline.

There are 9 events you can choose from, each with a different price and fundraising target:

Edinburgh Marathon (26.2 miles)

Time: 10:00 Sunday 24 May 2026
Entry Fee: £35
Fundraising Target: £400

Edinburgh Half Marathon (13.1 miles)

Time: 08:00 Sunday 24 May 2026
Entry Fee: £20
Fundraising Target: £250

EMF Team Relay (4 x 6.5 miles)

Time: 10:00 Sunday 24 May 2026
Entry Fee: £60 (for team of four people)
Fundraising Target: £600 (for team of four people)

EMF 10K (10 kilometres)

Time: 09:00 Saturday 23 May 2026
Entry Fee: £10
Fundraising Target: £150 

EMF 5K (5 kilometres)

Time: 11:00 Saturday 23 May 2026
Entry Fee: £0
Fundraising Target: £100

EMF Junior 5K (5 kilometres - recommended for 11-18 year olds)

Time: 12:00 Saturday 23 May 2026
Entry Fee: £0
Fundraising Target: £20 

EMF Junior 2K (2 kilometres - recommended for 9-12 year olds)

Time: 13:00 Saturday 23 May 2026
Entry Fee: £0
Fundraising Target: £20

EMF Junior 1.5K (1.5 kilometres - recommended for 6-8 year olds)

Time: 13:30 Saturday 23 May 2026
Entry Fee: £0
Fundraising Target: £20

EMF Kids’ Kilometre (1 kilometres - recommended for 3-6 year olds)

Time: 14:00 Saturday 23 May 2026
Entry Fee: £0
Fundraising Target: £20

What's included?

Your registration fee includes a lot more than just the event.  All participants will receive:

• SSAFA running vest
• SSAFA training support
• Wicking finisher's t-shirt
• Finisher's medal & distance keyring
• Finisher's pack
• Personalised event number with accurate timing chip
• Event baggage facilities
• Hydration & nutrition at the finish
• Results posted in your account within 48 hours
• Fantastic running experience

How to register

Simply go to the Edinburgh Marathon Festival website and select the distance/event you wish to take part in. 

Then select "SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity" as your charity of choice.

Once you have registered, the SSAFA team will be informed, and will get into contact with you separately and provide you with additional advice and information (and your SSAFA running top).

If you would like any more information, please email Scott.Cunningham@ssafa.org.uk.