What if I didn’t get a place at the 2025 TCS London Marathon?
The TCS London Marathon saw a record-breaking 840,318 people enter the ballot for 2025!
If you missed out on a spot for London, we’ve got you covered with our top alternatives within the UK, Europe, as well as our favourite beginner friendly marathons!
Running marathons takes a lot of preparation, both physically and mentally - it is essential to plan your marathons to avoid injury or burnout for the coming year. Marathon training is no small feat, and we applaud your efforts. Whether you have been running for a while or have just started, using a good beginner marathon training plan is one of the best first steps towards your marathon goal. The next step is signing up for a marathon, through either a ballot place, or for a charity.
While you might be feeling disappointed to have not got a place for London, there are many other marathons out there, some you may not even be aware of. Almost every city has a marathon, and after 20 weeks of marathon training, rigorous nutrition preparation and planning, kit testing and research, it would be a huge shame to miss out on putting that training to good use & getting that distance covered.
Prepare, plan and know your entry submission dates for the best chance of getting involved!
BEST UK ALTERNATIVES TO RUNNING THE TCS LONDON MARATHON
Loch Ness Marathon - September 2024
With spectacular scenery, a fantastic atmosphere and a truly memorable experience – this race features on the bucket list for so many runners around the world.
The Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside world famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting and continues through stunning Highland scenery, taking you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands. Why not make a Highland weekend of it and come with family or friends? There’s plenty to entertain runners and spectators over the weekend.
Blackpool Marathon - April 2025
Blustery Blackpool Marathon will blow the cobwebs off your beginner marathon training plan. It will surely spice up the monotony of your long runs! You will get to run the course of Blackpool's promenade, Blackpool tower, pier and its significant coastal landmarks and tourist attractions that many people travel hours for every year. Arguably one of the favourite coastal marathons, this flat and fast route is the perfect day out for the whole family who have come along to support you.
Manchester Marathon - April 2025
The Manchester marathon is considered an excellent beginner friendly marathon due to its super-fast course, great crowd support, infrastructure, and entertainment for all. It is renowned for being one of the friendliest marathons in the UK and widely acclaimed as the best marathon for first-timers.
With such high acclaim as the flattest, fastest, and friendliest marathon in the UK, what's not to love? The finish line is even outside of the famous Old Trafford Stadium. With such a fast course available, there is also the opportunity to see elites as they chase PBs and aim to break records.
Belfast Marathon - May 2025
The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon is one of the leading marathons in the UK and Ireland. The race starts at Stormont and finishes in Ormeau Park, running through all four areas of the City; North, South, East and West. The Belfast event is renowned for the incredible local support and crowds to cheer you on throughout your 26.2 mile journey. There is an event to suit all levels of fitness including a Marathon Run, Wheelchair Race, Team Relay and 8 Mile Walk, attracting over 15,000 participants annually.
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon - May 2025
This marathon boasts a brand-new route, starting and finishing at Headingly stadium. The circular route is an excellent introduction to long-distance marathon running. It takes you through Leed's scenic countryside and iconic landscapes such as Woodhouse Moore, Headingly, Adel, Bramhope, and Otley. While this marathon has more hills than the others, this fantastic awareness marathon gives you just enough of a challenge to come back for more.
BEST EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVES TO RUNNING THE TCS LONDON MARATHON
Lisbon Marathon - October 2024
The EDP Lisbon Marathon is considered one of the most beautiful races in the world. Starting from Cascais and finishing at Praça do Comércio, the marathon course is 100% sea and river side, providing a unique view for the whole race.
It is also becoming a top international race, attracting the top elite athletes and thousands of foreigner runners from all over the world.
Copenhagen Marathon - May 2025
The Copenhagen marathon is described as more than a race, but an experience. The flat and atmospheric course takes you through the Inner City of Copenhagen, passing iconic landmarks such as Rosenborg Castle, the Marble Church, Tivoli, and Kongens Nytorv.
Thousands of spectators will immerse you in a huge street party at Dr. Louise’s Bridge, before the journey continues with cheers, music, and DJs through Nørrebro, Vesterbro, Frederiksberg, and Østerbro.
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon - October 2025
The TCS Amsterdam Marathon is ranked fourth fastest marathon cities, so if you’re looking for a quick course or a PB, this is a good bet! Highlights of the course include the start and finish in the Olympic Stadium, the passage through the Rijksmuseum and along the Heineken Experience, stretches along the Amstel and through the Vondelpark.
Choose from the full marathon, half marathon or 8K and finish in the legendary Olympic Stadium!
BEST MARATHONS FOR BEGINNERS
Chester Marathon - October 2024
As the 6th largest marathon in the UK and 3x time winner of the UK’s Best Marathon, it is also the only marathon in the UK that spans across both England and Wales. The route takes in the beautiful surrounding landscapes and villages that both countries have to offer.
You can expect some fast times over this stunning PB marathon course on closed roads covering 19 miles in England and 7 miles in Wales. You will run past all Chester's iconic landmarks before heading out to the stunning Cheshire and North Wales countryside and villages; returning alongside the River Dee for an unforgettable finish on Castle Drive. The support in the villages and communities along the course is one of the many highlights of the race.
Yorkshire Marathon - October 2024
One of the big favourites, the Yorkshire Marathon, is a regular sell-out. The course boasts excellent potential for the personal best chasers, as it lacks steep climbs and hills. It is only slightly more elevated than the Manchester marathon. You will get a great view of Yorkshires' traditional architecture at the starting line, University of York. You will witness York Minister, Northwood Trail, Stamford Bridge, and much more along the route.
Brighton Marathon - April 2025
Beginner marathons rarely get better than this when it means taking a trip to the southern coast. Beginner marathon training is well rewarded at the Brighton marathon, with busy, enthusiastic crowds of runners and sporting enthusiasts supporting their peers and families. In addition, there are traditions of celebrating the completion of the Brighton marathon in the Event Village and for runners to cool off in the sea right after their run.
Our top picks for autumn 2024 or looking ahead to 2025 are the perfect motivation to get yourself started on a marathon training plan.
We know that long-term training rarely goes to plan and takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and discipline. If you’ve perhaps started a training plan & needed to adjust it or weren’t able to keep up with it, don’t worry, we can help you get back on track with training & even reroute you to another race - there are many other marathons that become available later on which you can still apply to.
Marathon training plans with Coopah are personalised and effective in considering your race date, how much time you have prior to your race and the time you are desiring to achieve, to help you effectively plan and succeed in your marathon goals.
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