Image credit: Brighton Marathon

The London Marathon might be one of the most iconic races in the world, but it’s also one of the hardest to get into. With hundreds of thousands of runners entering the ballot each year and only a small percentage securing a place, missing out can feel hugely disappointing, especially if you’ve set your heart on training for a spring marathon.

The good news is that the UK is packed with brilliant alternatives. From big-city races with crowd-lined streets to scenic countryside courses and coastal routes, there are plenty of spring marathons that offer an incredible race-day experience. Some are fast and flat, ideal for chasing a PB, while others are all about the atmosphere, views and sense of adventure.

So if that rejection email from London landed in your inbox, don’t hang up your trainers just yet. Here are some of the best spring marathons in the UK to consider instead.

Brighton Marathon

Image: Brighton Marathon

Brighton knows how to throw a party and the city’s marathon is no different. This marathon has great support from locals and is now managed by London Marathon Events so you can expect slick operation. There’s now also a 10k and mile race that form part of the Brighton Marathon Weekend.

Date: 4 April 2027
How to enter: general entries are still available from £79.99

Norfolk Marathon

Image: Norfolk Marathon

Seaside views, fantastic countryside and chips at the pier to finish. The Norfolk Marathon is back for its second event in 2025 after proving a popular new race in 2024. There’s now also a half marathon option. You start and finish at the pretty town of Cromer on the north Norfolk coast.

Date: 2027 date to be confirmed but expect it to be in April.
How to enter: keep an eye on the race website.

Manchester Marathon

Image: Jon Super/Manchester Marathon

The Manchester Marathon has grown over the past 10 years to be the country’s second biggest marathon with runners coming back year after year. The course has had a few changes over the years and now takes in sections of the city centre, but it remains flat and fast with great support.

Date: 18 April 2027
How to enter: via the race website

Blackpool Festival Marathon

The marathon route at Blackpool Running Festival is a fast, flat two-lap course that’s ideal for anyone chasing a PB. With a 9am start, runners can get going before the day gets too warm. The completely traffic-free route follows both the main promenade roadway and seafront walkways, offering fantastic coastal views throughout. You can expect water stations approximately every three miles and an impressive finisher’s medal all for a bargain of £45.

Date: 25 April 2027
How to enter: via the race website from £45

Belfast City Marathon

The Belfast City Marathon route runs through all four areas of Belfast starting at Stormont Estate and finishing in Ormeau Park. In 2024, a record 5,500 runners to the streets of Belfast, making it the biggest marathon in the city’s history.

Date: 2 May 2027
How to enter: pre register via the race website.

Milton Keynes Marathon

Image: Milton Keynes Marathon

Milton Keynes used to be renowned for its super-sized roundabouts and concrete cows but since 2012 this Buckinghamshire town has another claim to fame – a great marathon that takes you on a single-lap loop through its leafy streets (there are an amazing 22 million trees) and along pretty canalside cycle paths before finishing in the MK Stadium. What’s more, the course has PB potential as there’s only 315ft of elevation. Held on the first May Bank Holiday Monday, it’s ideal for those with weekend commitments.

Date: 3 May 2027
How to enter: via the race website from £52

Edinburgh Marathon

Image: Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Taking place on the second May Bank Holiday weekend, you can enjoy a well earned rest the day after this race. The Edinburgh Marathon is the largest of its kind in Scotland. The course is fast and flat and has an elevation drop of almost 40 metres.It takes in some of Edinburgh’s landmarks before heading out of the city along the coast.

Date: 30 May 2027
How to enter: via the race website from £82

Still looking for the perfect race for a PB? How about one of the 5 flattest UK marathons?