This spring (Sunday 1 March), the annual non-profit charity race The Meadows Marathon is back in Edinburgh. From a 5k to a marathon, there are plenty of races for all interested.
Established by two University of Edinburgh students in 2007, the event is a branch of the Edinburgh Students’ Charities Appeal (ESCA) and since its inception, the race has fundraised more than a whopping £200,000 for charity. With high energy crowds all around the Meadows, it’s a scenic event with races for all running abilities.
The event is organized by a team of volunteer Edinburgh-based students, and all proceeds go directly to ESCA’s two chosen charities. This year, the Meadows Marathon is raising money for local Edinburgh charity Street Assist Edinburgh, whose aim is “to reduce vulnerability during Edinburgh’s busy Night-Time Economy,” and Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity.
From a 5K, 10K, to a half or full marathon, participants will be able to sign up to run alone or as a team. The race route starts at Edinburgh Future’s Institute (EFI) and consists of the Meadows park’s circuit, where 18 laps equal a full marathon, and just two laps make up your 5k race. It offers a flat course circuit perfect for catering to all running abilities. The finisher’s medal is also made from recycled materials! The event is perfect for keen runners and those wanting to work on their race times before running any of the bigger city races and Marathons later this year.
So, with five weeks to go, why not challenge yourself to a run whose proceeds will go to a good cause? Registration closes on 15 February, but tickets will also be purchasable on the day from 8:30am. And if you’re not an avid runner, there’s no reason the event should deter you — whether you want to volunteer, support from the sidelines, or just want to be part of the day’s uplifting environment, the Meadows Marathon means fun for all.
Image provided by Alicia Boljkovac for The Student