The Runner's Journal · Race guide
Major UK running events 2027
The biggest UK road races, explained properly. Compare dates, current entry information, course character and who each event is likely to suit — then enter safely through the official organiser.
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23 events shown
Half Marathon · South West
GetPRO Bath Half
First-time half marathoners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A fast, traffic-free two-lap course through the centre of Bath, with long runnable sections and strong support around the busiest parts of the route.
Who should consider it?
First half marathons, controlled PB attempts and runners who like seeing supporters more than once.
Course-specific tip
Treat the first lap as controlled work rather than a race. Use landmarks from lap one to break the second lap into manageable sections.
Worth knowing
The lap format and crowd density can make the opening kilometres feel faster and easier than they are.
Half Marathon · East of England
TTP Cambridge Half Marathon
First-time half marathoners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A flat course through Cambridge’s historic streets, college grounds and surrounding roads, balancing city landmarks with more open running.
Who should consider it?
Fast times, first-time half marathoners and runners looking for a scenic spring event.
Course-specific tip
Popular central sections can be congested. Start in the correct pace area and wait for clear road before settling into goal rhythm.
Worth knowing
The event regularly sells out; pre-registration is worthwhile if this is a priority race.
Marathon · South East
Brighton Marathon
All levels
Read the course guide
What the course is like
Starts in Preston Park before moving through Brighton and onto extended seafront sections. The course mixes city support with exposed coastal running.
Who should consider it?
Runners who want a large spring marathon, coastal scenery and a lively finish without relying on a ballot.
Course-specific tip
Run the early gradients conservatively and save mental energy for the later seafront. Pace by effort if there is a headwind rather than fighting to hold an exact split.
Worth knowing
Coastal conditions can change quickly and the event does not normally offer deferral, transfer or refund options.
Half Marathon · London
London Landmarks Half Marathon
First-time half marathoners and atmosphere seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A central London sightseeing route through Westminster and the City, passing major landmarks on closed roads with frequent turns and dense course entertainment.
Who should consider it?
A first half marathon, charity runners and anyone who values landmarks and atmosphere more than the cleanest racing line.
Course-specific tip
Expect turns, GPS disruption and early congestion. Run by effort, stay alert to runners changing direction and do not chase lost seconds by weaving.
Worth knowing
General ballot entry has closed; use only official charity partners for remaining places.
Marathon · North West
adidas Manchester Marathon
First-time marathoners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A fast urban route through Manchester and Trafford with long, runnable sections, strong local support and a start-and-finish operation centred around the Old Trafford area.
Who should consider it?
First marathons, runners chasing an even pace and anyone prioritising crowd support over scenery.
Course-specific tip
The flat profile makes it easy to start too quickly. Lock into marathon effort early and be prepared for exposed sections if the wind picks up.
Worth knowing
The 2027 public allocation reached capacity quickly. Check official charity options rather than unofficial resale offers.
Marathon · Wales
ABP Newport Marathon Festival
First-time marathoners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A very flat route combining Newport city landmarks with quieter roads and the open landscapes of the Gwent Levels.
Who should consider it?
PB attempts, Boston-style qualifying goals and runners who prefer a smaller event than London or Manchester.
Course-specific tip
Use the flat terrain to run evenly, but prepare for wind on the exposed rural sections. Practise holding focus when crowd support becomes thinner.
Worth knowing
Marathon, half-marathon and 10K options share the festival; confirm the correct distance and start information when booking.
Marathon · London
TCS London Marathon
All levels with marathon preparation
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A largely flat, point-to-point course from Greenwich through central London, passing Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf before the finish on The Mall.
Who should consider it?
Runners who want a world-major atmosphere, huge crowds and an unforgettable first or goal marathon.
Course-specific tip
Avoid weaving in the crowded opening miles, keep the early downhill controlled and use effort rather than instant GPS pace around Canary Wharf and the tunnels.
Worth knowing
Places are highly competitive. Only use the official ballot, charity or approved tour-operator routes; entries cannot simply be bought from another runner.
Marathon · Northern Ireland
Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon
Prepared first-timers and experienced runners
Read the course guide
What the course is like
An AIMS-certified point-to-point tour of Belfast, starting at Stormont and finishing in Ormeau Park with varied urban terrain and extensive local support.
Who should consider it?
Runners wanting a major city marathon with strong community atmosphere and a less predictable profile than the flattest UK courses.
Course-specific tip
Include hills in training and resist judging the whole race by the opening kilometres. Arrange transport around the separate start and finish locations.
Worth knowing
Check the official route and transport plan when the final participant information is released.
10K + Half Marathon · Midlands
AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run
All levels
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A large city-centre event starting around Centenary Square, with urban landmarks, crowd support and a more rolling profile than the flattest UK road races.
Who should consider it?
Runners wanting a major-event atmosphere with a choice between 10K and half-marathon distances.
Course-specific tip
Include rolling terrain in training and avoid forcing goal pace uphill. Regain rhythm gradually after each climb instead of sprinting the descent.
Worth knowing
Confirm which distance, start time and wave you have entered because both races operate on the same day.
Marathon · Yorkshire
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
Hill-ready and experienced runners
Read the course guide
What the course is like
Starts and finishes in Headingley and travels through Leeds, its outer suburbs and surrounding countryside. It is considerably more demanding than a flat city marathon.
Who should consider it?
Runners motivated by atmosphere, purpose and challenge rather than the easiest possible PB course.
Course-specific tip
Train on sustained climbs and practise controlled downhill running. Pace by effort from the beginning and keep something in reserve for the later hills.
Worth knowing
The route is tough enough to make flat-course pace predictions misleading.
10K + Half Marathon · South West
AJ Bell Great Bristol Run
All levels
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A city course featuring central Bristol and long sections around the Portway, with a mixture of enclosed city running and more exposed road.
Who should consider it?
Runners who want a lively city event with 10K and half-marathon options.
Course-specific tip
Use the quieter Portway miles to settle rather than surge. Be ready for wind and for GPS pace to become less reliable around enclosed sections.
Worth knowing
The two distances may use different route sections and timings; check the final participant guide.
10K + Half Marathon · North West
AJ Bell Great Manchester Run
All levels and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
Large, closed-road city races with prominent Manchester landmarks, entertainment and a central finish on Deansgate.
Who should consider it?
First mass-participation events, PB attempts and runners who thrive on noise and crowd support.
Course-specific tip
Arrive early because the event footprint is busy. Settle after the opening crowd surge and keep enough energy for the loud but demanding final city-centre kilometres.
Worth knowing
Select the correct 10K or half-marathon entry and confirm your wave before travelling.
Marathon · Scotland
Edinburgh Marathon
First-time marathoners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
Begins in central Edinburgh, descends towards the coast and continues through East Lothian before finishing in Musselburgh.
Who should consider it?
PB attempts and runners who prefer a fast course with a scenic coastal second half.
Course-specific tip
Do not spend the early downhill by running faster than planned. Prepare for an exposed coastal section and a psychologically demanding out-and-back later in the race.
Worth knowing
The finish is outside central Edinburgh, so plan post-race transport and meeting points before race morning.
10K · North East
AJ Bell Great North 10K
All levels
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A city 10K taking in Tyneside landmarks and the Tyne Bridge, with music, entertainment and a major-event finish atmosphere.
Who should consider it?
First 10Ks, summer race goals and runners who want Great Run atmosphere over a shorter distance.
Course-specific tip
Do not assume the bridge approach is flat. Run climbs by effort and make your move only once you have cleared the final meaningful rise.
Worth knowing
Summer conditions may require a more conservative pace and earlier hydration planning.
Half Marathon · North East
AJ Bell Great North Run
All levels with hill preparation
Read the course guide
What the course is like
An iconic point-to-point route from Newcastle across the Tyne Bridge to the coast at South Shields. The profile is rolling rather than flat.
Who should consider it?
Big-event atmosphere, charity running and anyone who wants one of Britain’s best-known race experiences.
Course-specific tip
Train for long gradual climbs, not just short hills. Hold back before the later descent and be prepared for coastal wind near the finish.
Worth knowing
Entry demand is extremely high and transport between the start and finish requires advance planning.
10K · London
Vitality London 10,000
First 10K runners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A flat central-London course from The Mall into the City and back, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.
Who should consider it?
A first major 10K, sightseeing and runners seeking a fast closed-road event.
Course-specific tip
Do not sprint the crowded opening kilometre. Use effort where tall buildings disrupt GPS and save a controlled increase for the return towards The Mall.
Worth knowing
Entry can sell quickly. The official site states that 2027 registration opens on 27 September 2026.
Half Marathon · Wales
Cardiff Half Marathon
All levels and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
Starts near Cardiff Castle and passes the city’s stadiums, Penarth Marina, Cardiff Bay, the barrage and Roath Park before a civic-centre finish.
Who should consider it?
Fast racing, big crowds and runners building a SuperHalfs collection.
Course-specific tip
The barrage and bay can be exposed, so use effort if it is windy. Do not spend too much energy responding to the crowd in the fast opening kilometres.
Worth knowing
Demand is high and entry is ballot-led; check the official registration timetable.
Marathon · Yorkshire
Altra Yorkshire Marathon
All levels with hill preparation
Read the course guide
What the course is like
Starts and finishes near the University of York, combining historic city surroundings with long rural sections through nearby villages.
Who should consider it?
Autumn marathoners who enjoy varied scenery, local support and a less metropolitan race.
Course-specific tip
Avoid overworking the smaller undulations and save energy for the return towards York. Rural stretches reward disciplined pacing and a rehearsed fuelling plan.
Worth knowing
Do not assume “mostly flat” means effortless; late gradients can feel significant after 20 miles.
Half Marathon · London
Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon
First-time half marathoners and sightseeing runners
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A scenic route through four Royal Parks and past central London landmarks, with most of the later running taking place on park roads and paths.
Who should consider it?
A first half marathon, charity fundraising and runners who prioritise scenery over the fastest possible course.
Course-specific tip
Park sections can narrow and become congested. Run the shortest clean line available without weaving and stay patient through busy turns.
Worth knowing
Ballot and charity routes operate separately; charity registration fees usually come with fundraising commitments.
Half Marathon · South East
Oxford Half
First-time half marathoners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A closed-road route through central Oxford, University Parks and residential areas, passing many of the city’s historic university landmarks.
Who should consider it?
Scenery, fast running and an accessible first autumn half marathon.
Course-specific tip
The route contains frequent visual distractions and some tighter sections. Run smoothly through turns and avoid wasting energy overtaking where the road narrows.
Worth knowing
The event sells out; register interest with the organiser rather than waiting for the final entry phase.
Half Marathon · North West
ASICS Manchester Half
First-time half marathoners and PB seekers
Read the course guide
What the course is like
A famously flat Trafford-based route with a start and finish operation around the Old Trafford and Lancashire Cricket Club area.
Who should consider it?
A first half marathon, even pacing and serious PB attempts.
Course-specific tip
Flat does not mean easy: keep the opening pace controlled and check wind direction. Watch for street furniture and cycle-lane bollards on urban roads.
Worth knowing
Demand is high and priority registration matters. Check the official site for the confirmed 2027 date.
10 Mile · South East
AJ Bell Great South Run
All levels and first-time distance runners
Read the course guide
What the course is like
Ten flat coastal miles around Portsmouth and Southsea, starting near Southsea Castle and featuring naval landmarks and extended seafront running.
Who should consider it?
Runners moving beyond 10K, PB attempts and anyone wanting a distinctive intermediate race distance.
Course-specific tip
Wind is often the decisive factor. Run by effort into a headwind, use groups sensibly and avoid spending all your energy before the final seafront miles.
Worth knowing
An exposed coast can make a nominally flat course much harder than expected.
10K + Half Marathon · Scotland
AJ Bell Great Scottish Run
All levels
Read the course guide
What the course is like
City-centre 10K and half-marathon routes combining Glasgow architecture, parks, music and sustained crowd support.
Who should consider it?
A lively autumn city race, first-time 10K runners and half-marathoners who enjoy atmosphere.
Course-specific tip
Expect more variation than a track-flat course. Keep effort steady on rises and use the crowd to lift you later rather than forcing the first miles.
Worth knowing
Confirm the 2027 route, date and pricing once the organiser opens the next edition.
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Choose well
How to choose the right event
Match the course
A flat course can support a PB, but hills, turns, congestion and wind can matter as much as the elevation label.
Check entry terms
Read the organiser’s rules on transfers, refunds and deferrals before paying. Never buy an unofficial bib.
Plan the logistics
Point-to-point races, early starts and separate event villages can add significant walking and travel before the race begins.
Train for the reality
Prepare for the actual terrain and likely conditions—not only the distance shown on the entry page.