2023 Edinburgh Half Marathon

Starting on Holyrood Park Road with the picturesque backdrop of Holyrood Park, this incredible city centre route brings you past the impressive Surgeons' Hall, designed by William Henry Playfair in 1832.

This part of city is a fabulous mix of history, and festival culture. You will run past Scotland's premier dance and opera house, the Festival Theatre, which comes alive with a variety of world-class productions, particularly during the summer festival months.

The route then turns right, and meanders down the historic Royal Mile, heading towards and past the somewhat controversial Scottish Parliament building. Here you can look up and take in the spectacular Arthurs Seat and Salisbury Crags, as well as the Palace of Holyrood, before departing the Royal Park and heading east towards the coast.

As you reach Musselburgh, you'll run past the oldest golf course in the world, where it's documented that golf has been played as early as 1672, before heading further East on the flat towards the historic village of Prestonpans before turning and heading back towards the beautiful finish line within the vast playing fields of Pinkie School.

With a descent of almost 90 metres to near sea level, we believe this is the fastest half marathon route in the world.