Choosing between Boston Marathon and Edinburgh Marathon? This page puts the essentials side by side — next race date, elevation, typical weather, field size, and entry difficulty — with a short overview of each course below.
The headline differences between both races. Follow each marathon link for the full route map, elevation chart, and entry details.
| Detail | Boston Marathon | Edinburgh Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Monday, 19 April 2027 at 10:00 am | Sunday, 30 May 2027 at 10:00 am |
| Elevation | Net downhill with famous Newton hills - approx. 50m above sea level. ↑ 248 m · ↓ 388 m · net −140 m | Hilly with notable climbs - approx. 66m above sea level. ↑ 120 m · ↓ 120 m · net 0 m |
| Typical weather | Cool to mild; often windy | Cool to mild and humid spring |
| Typical participants | Approximately 26k finishers | Approximately 30k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Very competitive | Very competitive |
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and the only major requiring qualification for most runners. Starting in Hopkinton and finishing on Boylston Street, the course features the challenging Heartbreak Hill and legendary New England crowd support. It is the pinnacle race for competitive amateur marathoners.
The Edinburgh Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 30k finishers on an urban road in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The course starts in Edinburgh and finishes in Musselburgh on the coast — point-to-point. Hilly only in the first few miles leaving Edinburgh.
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