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Top Marathons In Wales 2027: Road Races And Mountain Trails
Wales offers a varied selection of marathons, from relatively flat city roads to demanding mountain routes and coastal trails. Whether you're preparing for your first 26.2 miles, hoping for a personal best or looking for a tougher challenge, there are several events to consider throughout the year.
Newport offers a fast road marathon through the city and surrounding Gwent Levels, while Tenby combines rural roads with the beautiful scenery of Pembrokeshire. The Great Welsh Marathon is moving to Swansea for 2027, and Marathon Eryri takes runners through some of North Wales' most dramatic mountain landscapes.
This guide covers four marathons held predominantly on roads in Wales, together with Chester Marathon, which crosses the border into North Wales. We've also included three trail marathons for runners looking for something different.
Wales Marathons 2027 At A Glance
Race And Date | How To Enter |
Newport Marathon, 18 April | General registration and alternative entry options. Check current availability. |
The Wales Marathon, 4 July | General registration. |
Great Welsh Marathon, 17 October | General registration. |
Marathon Eryri, 30 October | Entry arrangements to be confirmed. |
Chester Marathon, 10 October | General registration. Cross border race starting in England. |
Snowdonia Trail Marathon, 11 July | General registration. |
Rabbit Run Wales Marathon, 17 July | General registration. |
Run To The Castle Marathon, 14 August | General registration. |
Road Marathons In Wales 2027
Newport Marathon: 18 April 2027
Newport Marathon forms part of the Newport Marathon Festival, alongside the half marathon, 10K and shorter races. The event is known for its relatively flat course, attracting runners looking for a personal best as well as those completing the distance for the first time.
The route starts and finishes on Usk Way, beside Newport's riverfront. Runners complete an opening loop through the city centre, passing Newport Market, High Street and Newport Castle, before heading towards the International Sports Village. The course then continues into the Gwent Levels, turning around at Redwick and passing through the Newport Wetlands and Goldcliff areas.
The later stages include another circuit around the wetlands before runners return towards Newport, with views of the Transporter Bridge ahead of the finish. Runners can apply through the event's official registration platform, with entry availability subject to change.
The Wales Marathon: 4 July 2027
The Wales Marathon is part of Long Course Weekend Wales, a three day endurance sports festival based in Tenby. The weekend combines swimming, cycling and running, with the marathon taking place on the final Sunday alongside shorter running distances.
The marathon follows a closed road course through Pembrokeshire, starting in Tenby and passing through the surrounding countryside. The route includes several climbs, making it more demanding than flatter road marathons such as Newport. The event finishes back in Tenby, where runners are welcomed by spectators.
Runners can enter the marathon separately without taking part in the swimming or cycling events. Tenby's beaches, harbour and historic streets provide the setting for the wider weekend, making it an option for runners who want to combine a marathon with a visit to the Pembrokeshire coast.
Great Welsh Marathon: 17 October 2027
Great Welsh Marathon moves to Swansea in 2027 after more than a decade in Carmarthenshire. The relocation also brings a change of season, with the event moving from its traditional spring date to October.
The organiser has confirmed that the new marathon will follow a continuous 26.2 mile loop, starting and finishing in Swansea. The course is being designed to showcase the city's landmarks and coastal setting around Swansea Bay, although the complete route map and elevation profile have not yet been published.
Organisers are planning for up to 7,500 runners at the first Swansea edition, with ambitions to establish it as one of Wales' largest city marathons. The city's waterfront and proximity to the Gower Peninsula also provide opportunities for visitors extending their stay beyond race day.
Marathon Eryri: 30 October 2027
Marathon Eryri, formerly known as the Snowdonia Marathon, takes place in Llanberis and follows a demanding route around Yr Wyddfa. First held in 1982, it has become one of the UK's best known mountain road marathons.
The established course climbs through Llanberis Pass towards Pen y Pass before descending towards Beddgelert. Runners then continue along the A4085 towards Waunfawr, where a steep climb to Bwlch y Groes leads into the final descent back to Llanberis. Although predominantly on roads, the route includes a section of farm track and a shorter unmetalled section.
The race's substantial elevation changes distinguish it from flatter road marathons such as Newport. Its late October date and route through the mountains of Eryri make it one of the more demanding marathon challenges in Wales.
Running Across The Welsh Border
Chester Marathon takes place on 10 October 2027, starting at Chester Racecourse. Although the event is based in England, part of its course crosses the border into North Wales.
The route passes Chester Cathedral, the Eastgate Clock and the city's historic centre before heading into the countryside through Eccleston and Pulford. Runners then cross into Wales, passing through Lavister and Rossett before reaching Holt. The course returns to England across the River Dee at Farndon, continuing through rural Cheshire towards Chester.
The final section follows the Groves beside the River Dee before finishing on Castle Drive. The organiser describes the course as rolling rather than flat, with a combination of city streets and quieter country roads.
Trail Marathons In Wales 2027
For runners who prefer off-road challenges, Wales also has trail marathons that explore its mountains, woodland and coastline. These events involve different terrain from conventional road marathons, with uneven surfaces and potentially substantial climbs.
We've selected three events offering different experiences across North and South Wales. As trail routes can change, runners should check the organiser's latest course information before entering.
Snowdonia Trail Marathon: 11 July 2027
Snowdonia Trail Marathon takes place around Llanberis in Eryri, with runners tackling mountain paths and steep terrain. Unlike Marathon Eryri in October, which is predominantly a road race, this event focuses on off-road running through the mountains.
The organiser has redesigned its courses for 2027, so previous route descriptions should not be relied upon. The event retains its mountainous character, but runners should use the organiser's updated marathon route information when planning for the race.
Rabbit Run Wales Marathon: 17 July 2027
Rabbit Run Wales Marathon takes place at Merthyr Mawr, near Bridgend, combining woodland, valleys, sand dunes and coastal paths. The organiser advertises an approximately 42.2km route, providing a marathon option alongside the event's shorter trail races.
The course takes runners through the Merthyr Mawr Estate before extending along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. It includes the Ogmore area, Southerndown and Dunraven Bay, with sandy sections and a river crossing adding variety to the terrain.
Run To The Castle Marathon: 14 August 2027
Run To The Castle offers a coastal marathon from Aberdyfi to Barmouth, following a mixture of coastal paths and tracks. The route passes through Tywyn and Fairbourne before reaching Barmouth, with views across Cardigan Bay.
The event also offers a 42 mile ultra marathon, which continues beyond Barmouth to Harlech. A separate winter edition is scheduled for 16 January 2027, with a marathon option also available.
Run A Marathon In Wales For Charity
You don't need a dedicated charity entry to use a marathon as a fundraising challenge. If you've secured your own place in one of these events, you can choose a charity you'd like to support and raise money through sponsorship from friends, family and colleagues.
Running with your own entry gives you the freedom to choose a cause that's important to you, without committing to a charity's minimum fundraising target. Before getting started, contact your chosen charity to find out whether it can provide fundraising materials, advice or support. You can then set up a fundraising page and share your progress as you prepare for race day.
Which Marathon In Wales Should You Choose In 2027?
For runners looking for a relatively flat road marathon, Newport is a strong option, with a course known for fast times. The Great Welsh Marathon introduces a new city route in Swansea, although its elevation profile remains to be confirmed. Chester offers another road marathon option, combining historic city streets with countryside running and a section through North Wales.
Those interested in a more demanding road race can consider The Wales Marathon in Pembrokeshire or Marathon Eryri, where the climbs form an important part of the experience. Both combine established events with distinctive landscapes, from the Pembrokeshire countryside to the mountains of North Wales.
Trail runners have three different options in this guide. Snowdonia Trail Marathon provides a mountain challenge, Rabbit Run Wales combines woodland, sand dunes and coastal paths, while Run To The Castle follows the coast between Aberdyfi and Barmouth.
Whether your priority is a personal best, a mountain challenge or a marathon weekend somewhere new, these top marathons in Wales offer different ways to experience the country in 2027.
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