The Edinburgh Half Marathon must rate as one of the flattest and fastest half marathon's in the UK a definite one to try for a PB potential.

Taking a slightly different route from previous years due to redevelopment work in the centre of town the race now starts in Potterrow by the university buildings. Although the university buildings do offer places to shelter and bathrooms the area can still be very busy and crowded with the number of runners. It can also be a bit of an odd start with a number of different waves starting around corners from each others although it is very well managed.

From there it is a fairly easy downhill into the centre of town - in a marked improvement from previous years, the route now passes many Edinburgh landmarks. A brief out-and-back into Holyrood park is quite crowded but a fantastic view. A long downhill to the coast is then a good opportunity to pick up some time on nice open roads.

The coast has always been one of the selling points of this route with fantastic open views and a flat route to the nearby town of Musselburgh with a further out and back past the town. This out and back can be tough seeing the large number of fast runners already on the back leg, and does seem to continue for a long time but is very flat and does eventually continue to a finish in a large playing field with plenty of room for all runners.

Overall an excellent and very flat fast route, although it can be very busy. 

Best for:

Those wanting a PB

Fans of big races 

Not for:

Those who don't like crowded fields

Those looking for something different