Next race
Sunday, 5 September 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Forest road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
The New Forest Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each September on a forest road in Brockenhurst, United Kingdom. Natural scenery and the presence of free-roaming animals make it distinct from urban UK marathons. The route passes heathland, forest roads, roaming ponies, and open stretches through the national park. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
New Forest Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 1,200 finishers
Course & terrain
Starts and finishes in Brockenhurst in the New Forest. The route passes heathland, forest roads, roaming ponies, and open stretches through the national park. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
The New Forest Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 16 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
The New Forest Marathon uses open online registration at newforestmarathon.co.uk with no ballot or qualifying time for the general field. Sign-up for the September race typically opens the previous year and places are allocated first-come, first-served. Charity bibs are available through partner organisations when general entry closes.
Getting there
Bournemouth (BOH)
Bournemouth Airport
19 km / 12 mi
Southampton (SOU)
Southampton Airport
21 km / 13 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Brockenhurst.
The Southampton Marathon draws approximately 1,350 finishers each April on an urban road in Southampton, United Kingdom. The event combines big-city logistics with a smaller-field atmosphere than London's spring marathon scene. The route passes the old walls area, parks, and port-city roads connected to the south coast waterfront. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 11 April 2027
The Abingdon Marathon is a traditional multi-lap race in Oxfordshire, drawing about 1,000 finishers each October on a flat, fast course at the Abingdon Airfield. The four-lap format on closed airfield roads is popular with UK runners chasing personal bests. October cool English weather and the simple, traffic-free course make it one of Britain's fastest autumn marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
The Brighton Marathon is one of the UK's largest spring marathons, with more than 11,000 finishers running from Preston Park to a finish at Hove Lawns on Kingsway. The course passes the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Marina, and a mid-course out-and-back on Madeira Drive before the final miles through Hove to the seafront. April race-day atmosphere in Brighton — with crowds on the seafront — makes it a favourite UK destination marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 11 April 2027
The TCS London Marathon is one of the world's most popular races, famous for its incredible charity fundraising and electric atmosphere. The fast course passes Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. With gentle undulations and around 127 metres of total climbing, it consistently produces fast times — including Sabastian Sawe's 1:59:30 men's world record and Tigst Assefa's 2:15:41 women's-only world record, both set at the 2026 race.
Next race: Saturday, 24 April 2027
The Newport Marathon Festival draws approximately 1,999 finishers each April on an urban road in Newport, United Kingdom. It is widely regarded as one of the fastest full marathons in Wales. The route passes the River Usk, city bridges, and wide roads used for one of Wales's faster marathon layouts. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
The Cardiff Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers on an urban road in Cardiff, United Kingdom. The course starts and finishes at Cardiff Castle. The route passes Cardiff Bay, the Millennium Stadium, and Bute Park. Mostly flat with minor rises around the bay.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
