Run in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is the second largest marathon in the UK. With a race distance to suit all abilities, there is no excuse not to join us!
Edinburgh Marathon Festival – 26 and 27 May 2012
About
Edinburgh Marathon Festival is the second largest marathon in the UK. With a race distance to suit all abilities, there is no excuse not to join our team!
The beautiful route takes runners from the centre of the capital, through Portobello Promenade and out along the scenic East Lothian coastline before finishing at Musselburgh racecourse where hundreds of spectators will be waiting at the finish line.
The 2011 event saw 12,000 people take to the streets of Edinburgh making it the largest mass participation event in Scotland. Almost 400 runners dawned a pink vest and joined Team Breast Cancer Care.
Breast Cancer Care is an affiliate charity for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2012. We have guaranteed entries for the weekend of running including the full marathon, half marathon, team relay, 10k and 5k race.
Secure your place through Breast Cancer Care and experience the buzz!
How we will support you as part of Team Breast Cancer Care
In return for pledging to raise money for us, we will support you by providing:
- a state of the art running vest
- a welcome pack full of fundraising and training advice
- a training plan and top tips from our sports ambassador, Denise Lewis
- support and advice from a dedicated member of the sports team
- regular newsletters and emails to keep you updated
- a goody bag
- a fantastic post-race reception including food and refreshments in our marquee at the end of the race for you and your family
- complimentary leg massages for our runners in our marquee
- fundraising materials
- 20 per cent off your first purchase from Sweaty Betty - specialists in performance wear for women.
We hope to welcome you to Team Breast Cancer Care very soon!
Race day
To make sure you are fully prepared for your Edinburgh Marathon we have included some key information to ensure that your race day runs as smoothly as possible.
10k route
The 10k route starts next to the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Hub in majestic Holyrood Park, which will be the centre of activity for the marathon weekend. The route starts on Queens Drive and will take in the Royal Palace of Holyrood House, Dynamic Earth, Salisbury Craigs, Dunaspie Loch and some glorious panoramic views across Edinburgh before finishing back at the festival hub next to Holyrood House. A route map will be uploaded soon.
5k route
The 5k route takes a single loop of Holyrood Park running clockwise around the park exclusively on Queens Drive. It starts next to the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Hub passing St Margaret's Loch before heading around Arthurs Seat. Glorious panoramic views across Edinburgh await you as you make your way past Dunaspie Loch. Before you know it you are heading downhill quickly passing Salisbury Craigs, Dynamic Earth and the Royal Palace of Holyrood House before finishing to rapturous applause.
Full marathon
Half marathon
Team relay
Relay team timings
The first leg runner will wear the ChampionChip around their ankle (with the velcro strap provided). Once they cross the start line the team time will begin. The ChampionChip must be passed to each team member at the changeover points and this MUST be worn around the ankle. Their will be a timing mat at each changeover point. As soon as one leg finishes the time for the next leg starts.
Breast Cancer Care will have cheering squads on the route so look out for us.
Once you have crossed the finish line, come and find Breast Cancer Care in the Charity Village. We will have soup, rolls, refreshments, goody bags and a massage ready and waiting!
Race packs
Your race pack consists of your race number and running chip, which will measure your time during the race, will be posted to you two weeks in advance of the event from the event organisers.
Overseas runners
To classify as an overseas runner you have to have an overseas address. Your race packs will be not sent - all overseas runners have to register and collect their race packs the day prior to the race day at the Overseas Registration desk which is situated at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival Hub - will be located in the iconic Holyrood Park in the centre of Edinburgh
Timings
Timings for all runners will be recorded using the ChampionChip system.
How is my leg time measured?
The finish time for a leg is the start time for the next leg. There will be one timing mat at each changeover point. After the incoming runner crosses the timing mat their leg time will stop. The outgoing runner leg time starts when the incoming runner crosses the timing mat.
Baggage
Runners will be able to store baggage in a tent next to the start area. More information will be in your race pack with your running number.
Buses/transport/parking
It is highly recommended that you do not drive on the day of the race due to limited parking. Lothian buses run every 10 minutes.
Public buses between the start and finish line
Lothian buses operate over 50 bus services in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas of Midlothian and East Lothian. For bus numbers and timetables, please visit the public buses and transport section of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival website.
Bus times and information: 0131 555 6363.
Shuttle buses provided by event organisers
The race officials provide transport between the start and finish line for runners and spectators. Full and half marathon tickets cost £3.50 as you will only need it one way. Spectators can by a two-way ticket for £6 ensuring they see you at the start, the finish and back into the city again. Relay team tickets cost £24 for the team. Purchase your tickets on the Edinburgh Marathon Festival website.
Parking
Travelling by car is not recommended but parking will be available at the finish line for 5pm. Please see the following link to book your parking.
For any queries regarding the race at anytime please call the marathon officials on 01620 890 444.
You can find more information on the Edinburgh Marathon Festival website.
Join our team
26 and 27 May 2012
Following the success of the last three years, Breast Cancer Care has been chosen as an Affiliate Charity for our fourth year running for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 2012.
How to enter
If you are interested in taking part in Scotland’s biggest and fastest marathon we would be delighted for you to join Team Breast Cancer Care.
Public registration for this event opened on 1 September 2011, please visit the official race website to register your place.
Guaranteed charity places
We have charity guaranteed places available for the 2012 Edinburgh Marathon; Scottish Half Marathon and Hairy Haggis Team Relay. When you join Team Breast Cancer Care our support network will be there for you every step of the way while you raise money to help people affected by breast cancer, all we ask in return is a small registration fee and lots of enthusiasm.
What we provide
In return for pledging to raise money for us we will support you by providing you with:
- a state of the art running vest
- a support pack full of fundraising and training advice
- a training plan and top tips
- support and advice from a dedicated member of the sports team
- regular newsletters and emails to keep you updated
- 20% discount at Sweaty Betty
- a goody bag packed with everything you need to get you back on your feet!
- fundraising materials to help you including balloons, posters and collection tins
- a great reception to meet and thank our runners
- and a big cheer round the course on race day!
Hairy Haggis Team Relay
If running a full marathon fills you with fear, don't despair. The Hairy Haggis Team Relay is a great event giving athletes of all abilities the chance to experience marathon fever without having to run the 26.2 miles individually.
Teams of four compete in consecutive legs, splitting the marathon distance between them.
If you already have a place
If you have secured your own place, we would still be delighted to have you join our team. We don’t set a minimum sponsorship target, we just ask you to raise as much as you can.
To join the team, please log in to the Edinburgh marathon website, click on ‘Enter for Breast Cancer Care now’ and select ‘I already have a paid place’ (half way down the page) – this will notify us that you wish to join our team.
For any assistance with registering on the Edinburgh Marathon Website you can call us on 0141 353 8330 to speak to a member of our team.
Training tips
Training is essential to your Edinburgh Marathon Festival preparation. The more you put in the more enjoyable your experience will be!
We have designed some guidelines for you to follow, please see below our training plans.
Our week by week training plan specifies how far and how often you should run. It also tells you when to rest in order to get the most out of your training. If you're running a marathon, we suggest you should start your preparation 16 weeks before the race. The increase in mileage in our training plan is designed to help you improve your fitness level for the big day.
Use our stretching guide to help you fully prepare for yourself for your training sessions and on race day.
Don’t forget to keep visiting this page to get the most up-to-date advice.
Fundraising
Reaching your fundraising target can be a challenge, but don’t worry as we have some useful tips to help you plan and coordinate your fundraising.
Check out our seasonal fundraising ideas to ensure that your fundraising is fresh and on trend.
All sponsorship should be collected and returned to Breast Cancer Care by 20 August 2012.
Social networks
Remember, it’s your network of friends, family, colleagues and contacts who will support you with your training and fundraising. Keep them updated every step of the way with your Facebook profile, blog or Twitter account.
Tell them how your training is going (with pictures for added impact) and let them know how you’re getting on with your fundraising target. You can even upload pictures on the day to show everyone your progress along the route! If you follow Breast Cancer Care on Facebook and Twitter, we’ll keep you up to date with the goings-on here, and keep you on track with support and tips.
Fundraising materials
Download your very own fundraising planner to follow to ensure that your fundraising activities run as smoothly as possible.
Use this downloadable poster to promote your fundraising events.
Online fundraising
Now you can raise sponsorship without all the hassle. No more dealing with cash and cheques, no more chasing friends after the event. Simply create a free, online fundraising page, personalise it with a photo and message, and email it to your friends, family and work colleagues. They can donate quickly and securely online with a credit or debit card. Online donations from UK taxpayers are worth almost a third more to us with Gift Aid, which can be claimed on online donations. Follow the instructions to set up your unique JustGiving page.
Once you’ve created your page, email the link to friends, family, colleagues and classmates. You can even add the JustGiving application to your Facebook page to make it even easier for your friends to donate.
For more information or help setting up your page, visit www.justgiving.com or call the Justgiving helpdesk on 0845 021 2110.
Please note: Justgiving money will only be attributed to the person who set up the Justgiving page, so please do not set up joint pages as we are unable to share the money between several people.
How do I pay in my sponsorship?
There are few ways in which your sponsorship money will reach us.
JustGiving
If you have decided to create a Justgiving fundraising page, then you do not need to do anything as all your sponsorship money will automatically be sent directly to our bank account. Please note that it can take up to four weeks to show up on your fundraising record at Breast Cancer Care.
Cheque
Please send all cheques to the address below:
Breast Cancer Care Events
Admail 4161
London
SE1 0ZB
Don’t forget to write your name, Breast Cancer Care number and event name on the back of your cheques.
Online
You can also pay money in directly on the Breast Cancer Care website. If you use our online paying in function then please remember to send us your sponsorship forms so that we can claim Gift Aid.
Enclosed in your welcome pack, which you will receive when you register for your event, will be your pay-in forms. You can send them to us along with your sponsorship money and sponsorship forms. Please do not send cash in the post.
Once you join Team Breast Cancer Care we will provide you with further fundraising tips and ideas!
FAQs
Questions
How do I sign up?
What is the minimum fundraising total I have to raise?
Will I receive a vest to wear on the day?
When will my welcome pack arrive?
What happens on the day?
Can I collect sponsorship online?
How do I pay in my sponsorship?
How do I withdraw from the event?
I am looking for accommodation for the event, where is best to stay?
All other questions
Answers
Please visit our 'Join our team' section.
What is the minimum fundraising total I have to raise?
If you have your own place in the race, there is no minimum sponsorship target – we just ask that you try and raise as much as you can.
If you have one of our guaranteed places, we ask that you pledge to raise a minimum of:
- £500 in sponsorship for a full marathon entry or a team relay entry
- £300 for the half marathon
- £150 for the 10k
- £100 for the 5k.
This also covers the cost of your race entry.
Will I receive a vest to wear on the day?
Yes! We will be sending out a state of the art running vest or T-shirt to you in the post about a month before race day. Please remember to specify which vest or T-shirt size you would like when confirming your place.
When will my welcome pack arrive?
We will send out your welcome in the post within two weeks of you signing up. While you wait for the pack to arrive, please click on the Fundraising tab (above) for some great hints and tips to get you started.
Please have a look at our 'Race day' section for all details on what to expect on race day or visit the Edinburgh Marathon Festival website.
Can I collect sponsorship online?
Yes. We recommend you sign up to JustGiving and follow their easy step by step guide to create your own online fundraising page. All money raised through your page will be automatically sent through to us and allocated to your record.
How do I pay in my sponsorship?
The easiest way to pay in your money is online. However, you can also send cheques in the post to:
Breast Cancer Care Events
Admail
4161
London
SE1 0ZB
Don’t forget to write your name, Breast Cancer Care number and event name on the back of your cheques.
How do I withdraw from the event?
You must notify Breast Cancer Care by emailing edinburgh.marathon@breastcancercare.org.uk or calling 0141 353 8330 if you are withdrawing your entry. If you have taken one of our guaranteed places you must notify us before 14 April. If you do not inform us, Breast Cancer Care will be charged for this place. You will be liable to cover the £75 administration cost for the cancelled place. If you do not inform us that you have cancelled your place before race day you will liable to pay £150 for the lost place.
You must also notify the race officials of your withdrawn entry. You can email them using info@gsi-events.com or call them on 01620 890 444.
I am looking for accommodation for the event, where is best to stay?
Please check the Edinburgh Marathon Festival website for advice on where to stay.
For all other questions or queries on the event, please see the Edinburgh Marathon Festival website.
