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Edinburgh Marathon 11 June 2006 |
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Early Discussions In recent years, the number of sporting events held in Edinburgh has increased. Events now include - The Edinburgh Marathon, held in June - The Great Caledonian Run - The David Lloyd Great Mile Run Most Marathons around the year are held in the spring and autumn, leaving the summer clear for the athletics season. It has been suggested that moving the Edinburgh Marathon to September would increase the number of participants, and that the Marathon could become part of a month-long Athletics Festival in the Capital. There were over 5,000 participants in the 2004 Edinburg Marathon. It is hoped that the number will be 10,000 in 2005. The London and Brussels Marathons each attract 30,000 participants. Edinburgh Evening News - 4 May 2005, p.4. |
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Marathon Date Agreed 11 June 2006 A decision has apparently been made to hold the Marathon again in June. However, despite this decision, a record number of participants are expected this year. - There were 3,900 runners in the inaugural marathon in 2003. - Last year the number had increased to 9,500. - In 2006, it is hoped that there will be15,000 entrants and 100,000 spectators. - There are already 4,500 registered (7 January) Registrations will close in May 2006. Route In previous years, the route has started in Holyrood Park. The route is to be changed for 2006, to accommodate more runners. It will be: - Princes Street (START) - Lothian Road - Melville Drive - Old Town - Holyrood Park - Leith - Granton - Silverknowes - Granton - Leith Docks - Portobello - Holyrood Park (END). Edinburgh Evening News - 7 January 2006 2005, p.15 |
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Update - February 2006 |
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Cash Crisis Edinburgh's 2006 Marathon will be the 4th marathon in recent years. The event started again in 2003 after a gap of 20 years. However, its organisers report that they are struggling for cash. It is thought that the 2006 event is now running at a loss of £50,000. A major sponsor was found for the 2003 and 2004 events, but none has been found for the 2005 and 2006 events. As a result, the organisers report difficulty in finding the cash to pay for big-name runners. They say that they may need to scale down expenditure on promoting the 2006 event, they may need to put a cap on the number of entrants. They will also need to consider whether or not they are able to afford to pay for TV coverage of highlights of this year's event.. Edinburgh Evening News - February 25, 2006: p.5. |
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Web Site For further details of this year's Edinburgh Marathon, please see the edinburgh marathon web site. |