It’s your choice - with our knowledge.
XMiles 2026 Race Guide
As 2025 wraps up, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your goals for the year ahead. What race will you take on in 2026? Whether you’re chasing a new PB, stepping up to longer distances, or planning your first big event, there’s something special about setting your sights on the next challenge.
With so many incredible races out there, picking the right one can be tough, but that’s where we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ve handpicked some of the top events to consider for 2026, from iconic city marathons to stunning trail adventures. So, get your shoes ready and start planning your next start line!
- Bucket List Marathons
- Major Marathons
- Local To XMiles
- England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
- Sponsored By XMiles
Planning on taking part in one of these races but not sure how to fuel for it? Our Nutrition Calculator is a great tool that can help you plan your nutrition, no matter your level or length of race!
Bucket List Marathons
Midnight Sun Marathon

The Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø offers a unique combination of nature, culture and running fun. Here you can participate in one of the world's northernmost marathons - surrounded by mountains, fjords and an Arctic summer where the sun shines all night!
Price: 1100 kr. (roughly £82)
Where: Tromsø, Norway
When: 20th June
Athens Classic Marathon

Recognized as the original marathon course, and inspired by the legend of the messenger who ran from the town of Marathon to Athens with news of the Athenian victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., the Athens Marathon is like no other, and running it is considered a pilgrimage!
Price: From €55 (2025 price, 2026 not announced yet)
Where: Marathon, Athens, Greece
When: November (Date announced closer to the time)
Marathon du Médoc

Not like your average marathon, this race is interspersed with several activities: musical breaks with 50 orchestras scattered around the course, 23 wine tasting stops, oyster tasting at the 38th kilometre, and steak at the 39th kilometre.
Price: From €110
Where: Pauillac, France
When: 5th September
Major Marathons
TCS London Marathon

The London Marathon is one of the most famous and prestigious events of its kind in the world. The route has remained largely unchanged since the inaugural race in 1981 and encompasses many of the capital’s most mesmerising landmarks, old and new.
Where: London, UK
When: 26th April
Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo Marathon, first run in 2007, celebrated its 10th anniversary milestone in 2016. Tokyo Marathon 2017 featured a new course, which finishes at the Tokyo Station/ Gyoko-dori Ave.
Where: Tokyo, Japan
When: 1st March
Boston Marathon

The Boston is traditionally held on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897, the event was inspired by the success of the first marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics.
Where: Boston, USA
When: 20th April
BMW Berlin Marathon

The Berlin Marathon was established in 1974 by Horst Milde, a baker and running enthusiast in the city. It is a flat and fast course, suitable for all marathon lovers.
Where: Berlin, Germany
When: 27th September
Bank of America Chicago Marathon

The Chicago Marathon is the fourth-largest race by number of finishers worldwide. The Chicago Marathon is flat and fast, in fact, it has been the host to five world-record times.
Where: Chicago, USA
When: 11th October
TCS New York Marathon

The New York Marathon is the world’s largest marathon, with more than 53,000 finishers in 2019 and over 98,000 applicants for the 2017 race.
Where: New York City, USA
When: 1st November
Local To XMiles
Run To The Sea Bournemouth

From Moors Valley Country Park to Hengistbury Head, this 50km point-to-point course takes you through a variety of terrain, including wonderful forest trails and coastal paths.
Price: £61 to £63
Where: Bournemouth, Dorset
When: 3rd October
Jurassic Coast Ultra Run
Starting and finishing by the beach of Studland Bay, this challenging and hilly 30 mile ultra run will take you on a wonderful tour of the Jurassic Coast and Isle of Purbeck.
Price: £45
Where: Jurrasic Coast, Dorset
When: 5th September
England
AJ Bell Great Manchester Run

Celebrate all that is great about Manchester in this annual must do event. Choose from a Half Marathon or 10k course starting and finishing in the vibrant Manchester City Centre.
Price: £43 to £50
Where: Manchester
When: 31st May
GetPRO Bath Half
Take part in one of the UK's most established road races, the Bath Half Marathon! Join 15,000 other runners on the flat, picturesque course and enjoy the electric atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a total novice, this event is perfect for everyone.
Price: £15 to £45
Where: Bath, Somerset
When: 15th March
Wales
Ultra X Wales 2026

Ultra X Wales 2026 takes place each July in the Brecon Beacons, with six distances through the stunning Black Mountains near Abergavenny, combining runnable and technical trails with support at regular checkpoints.
Price: £19.50 to £280
Where: Snowdonia, Wales
When: 25th to 26th July
2026 ABP Newport Marathon Festival
The ABP Newport Marathon Festival is a thrilling festival of running and one of the most exciting days on the Welsh sporting calendar. The marathon boasts one of the flattest courses in Europe and has been named in a list of ’10 of the fastest marathons in the world’ by Runners World.
Price: Varies depending on length selected
Where: Newport, Wales
When: 19th April
Scotland
Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Voted the fastest marathon in the UK by Runner’s World. Enjoy fantastic all-encompassing routes which takes in some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks as well as offering picturesque views along the East Lothian coastline in a variety of distances.
Price: POA
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
When: 23rd to 24th May
The Maverick Ochil Hills Trail 2026
Celebrating the Ochils, this trail running experience offers all levels of running terrain and difficulty across five distances, from a forest trail 5k, a fast trail marathon and 50k that offers all of the best mix of forest and fell running.
Price: £10 to £89
Where: Stirling, Scotland
When: 8th August
Northern Ireland
Hillsborough Castle & Gardens Running Festival

Starting and finishing within the beautiful grounds of Hillsborough Castle, this family-friendly running festival is one for everyone to enjoy, and with three distances on offer, there is a race for any ability.
Price: £36 to £80
Where: Royal Hillsborough, Northern Ireland
When: 26th July
The Gralloch

The Gralloch is a celebration of gravel riding, a test of determination, skill, and endurance set against the stunning backdrop of the Galloway Forest Park. As Britain’s first UCI Gravel World Series event, it challenges racers to conquer a demanding off-road course on some of the finest gravel tracks in the UK.
Great North Swim

The Great North Swim brings thousands together for a unique weekend of open water action, community, and Lake District beauty. Whether you’re tackling your first open water swim or going all-out for a 10K, there’s a place for you in the water.
Where: Windemere, England
When: 12th to 14th June
Windermere Marathon

One of the UK’s most scenic and challenging road marathons, the Windermere Marathon isn’t about PBs, it’s about the experience. With hills, breath-taking views, and a sense of achievement like no other, this is a true runner’s marathon.
Where: Windemere, England
When: 14th June
Altra 13 Valleys Ultra

13 Valleys celebrates the 13 unique valleys of the Lake District National Park which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them all together. You can choose between one trail distance: 2 Valleys (22km) and three ultra distances: 5 Valleys (55km), 7 Valleys (110km) and 13 Valleys (180km).
Where: Lake District, England
When: 25th to 27th September
It’s your choice - with our knowledge.