UK Marathon Calendar 2009

From the Highlands to Land's End, and big city settings to wild rural corners, you're sure to find something to suit in our annual UK marathon calendar

Posted: 16 February 2009

Whether you've made the decision to tackle 26.2 miles for the first time, or are on the hunt for a tougher challenge, this is the guide for you.

If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly urban spectacular, take your pick from long-standing favourites such as the Blackpool Marathon (April 5) or Leicester City Marathon (October 11). Or pit yourself against some of the UK’s most dramatic scenery in the likes of the Brathay Windermere Marathon (May 17) or Beachy Head Marathon (October 24).

With over 50 events taking place across the length and breadth of the UK, our 2009 Marathon Index has all the inspiration you need to embrace your new (or next) marathon challenge.

Exmoor Coastal Marathon, May 9

Spring
When is it?	What is it?	2008 Race Ratings	Run this if you like...
May 3	North Dorset Village Marathon	New event	Country lanes; south-west scenery; trying new events
May 3	Suffolk Heritage Coast Run/Walk 26/13/6	80% (see more)	Suffolk coastal paths; the variety of road, heath and sea wall
May 3	Three Forts Marathon, West Sussex	90% (see more)	Tough courses with more than 3,000ft of climbing; running off-road and finding your own way round (there are no marshals); small fields - there were only 200 runners last year
May 9	Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series: Exmoor	86% (see more)	Dizzying clifftop views; monstrous, masochistic climbs; cockle-warming grub at the finish
May 9	Orpington Mara*fun	87% (see more)	Raising funds for a good cause; friendly, local races; a mix of surburbia and greenery
May 10	Halstead and Essex Marathon, Essex	94% (see more)	Lovely country lanes; PB potential; personalised drinks
May 16	White Peak Marathon, Derbyshire	91% (see more)	Traffic-free, off-road, point-to-point racing; steep downhill finishes
May 17	Brathay Windermere Marathon, Cumbria	96% (see more)	Views over Windemere Lake; running through woodlands and plenty of hills
May 17	Cape Wrath Challenge Marathon, Highland	100% (see more)	Enjoying a week-long programme of races; beach BBQs; end-of-series ceilidh
May 25	Newry City Marathon, Co Down	100% (see more)	Touring one of Northern Ireland’s oldest cities; running along the banks of the River Clanrye
May 31	Albert Bartlett Edinburgh Marathon	77% (see more)	Early starts; haggis at the pre-race pasta party
May 31	Needles XC Marathon, Isle of Wight	92% (see more)	A challenging course, with a small field (the race has a limit of just 150)

Summer
When is it?	What is it?	2008 Race Ratings	Run this if you like...
June 6	Dartmoor Discovery 32 Ultra Marathon, Devon	96% (see more)	Scaling tors; beautiful moorland scenery; running through National Parks
June 13	Mourne Way Marathon, Co Down	New event	Going off-road; mountain, coast and countryside views; running through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
June 13	Saab Salomon South Downs Marathon, West Sussex	94% (see more)	Running through White Ways Country Park and Arundel Castle, with a relay option
June 14	Bustinskin Coastal Challenge 26 Race 2, Dorset	New event	Fossils on the wild Jurassic coast; challenging trails
June 14	Cheltenham Circular Challenge	New to RW	Cotswold valleys and villages; walking or running; raising money for local causes
June 19	Colworth Marathon Challenge, Bedfordshire	87% (see more)	Your 26.2 miles spread across three off-road races in three days
June 20	The Trionium Picnic Marathon, Surrey	99% (see more)	Two-laps of island running; prizes galore and stadium finishes
July 18	Moors The Merrier Marathon, West Yorkshire	100% (see more)	Ginger cake at water stations; map-reading; running the Yorkshire Moors
July 19	Fairlands Valley Challenge Marathon, Herts	93% (see more)	Finding new parts of Hertfordshire; multi-terrain courses; following instructions and reading maps to navigate; great post-race grub - especially barbecues and bread pudding!
July 25	Faversham Marathon, Kent	97% (see more)	Running laps; smaller fields; traffic-free park running
August 9	Salclear Isle of Man Marathon, Isle of Man	84% (see more)	Two laps of island running; prizes galore; stadium finishes
August 9	Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 Trail Marathon, Wiltshire	75% (see more)	Running on trails; a choice of distances; beautiful scenery; castles and cathedrals
August 30	SportingBet Guernsey Marathon, Channel Islands	New event	Re-launched races; touring flower-lined lanes and sandy beaches

Autumn & Winter
When is it?	What is it?	2008 Race Ratings	Run this if you like...
September 6	Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon	61% (see more)	Fantastic crowds; gentle hills; a relay challenge
September 6	Kent Coastal Marathon	78% (see more)	Coastal scenery; challenging hills; vocal supporters
September 12	DRAM (Dundee Running Adventure Marathon)	85% (see more)	A mixture of trail, path and pavement; running the banks of the Tay; small, friendly fields
September 13	Mizuno Yorkshireman Marathon, West Yorks	94% (see more)	Demanding off-road courses; entering team events
September 13	Moray Marathon, Moray	80% (see more)	Uncomplicated, gently undulating races; Scottish coastal views; dolphin and whale watching en route
September 13	Experian Robin Hood Marathon	84% (see more)	Touring Nottingham’s sights; big-city races; flat and fast courses
September 13	Wyre Running Weekend Marathon, Lancs	New event	Chasing a PB; sea views; friendly crowds of spectators
September 20	Anglesey Marathon, Gwynedd	87% (see more)	Quiet country roads and beautiful scenery
September 20	Green Chain Marathon 27, Kent	80% (see more)	Following the Thames; going off-road; exploring south-east London
September 25	Atlantic Coast 3-Day Challenge, Cornwall	100% (see more)	Hills, hills and more hills; multi-day challenges; Cornish coastal scenery
September 27	New Forest Marathon, Hampshire	86% (see more)	A mixture of road and trail running; a tranquil forest setting
September 27	Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon, Channel Islands	95% (see more)	Rolling countryside and pretty green lanes; small hills and valleys
October 4	Baxters Loch Ness Marathon, Highland	98% (see more)	Bagpipes and Highland music en route; stadium finishes; point-to-point races; moorland scenery; Nessie-spotting
October 4	Isle of Wight Marathon, Isle of Wight	74% (see more)	Tradition - this is Britain's longest continuously run marathon; hills; sea breezes; bargain price tag
October 4	The Great Clarendon Marathon, Wilts	92% (see more)	Hills; stiles; multi-terrain, point-to-point racing; following the Pilgrim's Way; cathedral cities
October 11	The First Eden Project Marathon, Cornwall	New event	Multi-terrain challenges; environmental issues
October 11	Leicester City Marathon, Leics	80% (see more)	Predominantly flat courses; city running; hot food served at the finish
October 18	Abingdon Marathon, Oxon	90% (see more)	Late-season PBs on a flat, scenic rural course; helpful marshals and cheering crowds
October 18	Dartmoor Vale Marathon, Devon	89% (see more)	Beautiful Devon countryside; quiet country lanes; fancy-dress fun runs for the rest of the family
October 18	Spires and Steeples Challenge 26, Lincolnshire	95% (see more)	Trails, tracks and fields underfoot; historic castles and villages
October 24	Beachy Head Marathon, East Sussex	97% (see more)	3,500ft of South Downs ascents; windy, muddy, tough courses; cattle- and sheep-dodging; pub stops along the way; free swimming and hot food at the finish
October 24	Snowdonia Marathon, Gwynedd	96% (see more)	Tough marathons in spectacular settings with huge hills and unpredictable weather
October 25	Brentwood Multi Mile Marathon, Essex	93% (see more)	Multi-lap courses; woodland scenery; off-road running
October 25	Trionium Greensand Marathon, Surrey	New event	Climbing to south east England's highest point; autumnal scenery; cooked breakfasts

Have we missed any?
We'll be updating this list as more events are confirmed over the months ahead but please do get in touch if you spot any omissions.

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