Stubbington Green Runners

IF you can't get into next year's London Marathon and don't fancy a hop across the English Channel for the Paris Marathon, then how about a trip north of the border for the 2009 Albert Bartlett Edinburgh Marathon?

Next Spring's race takes place on Sunday, May 31st, and organisers have been in touch to announce that they have changed the format of entry to the event. This year there will be no ballot as organisers accept entries on a first come, first served basis until they reach an 11,500 limit, or January 15th, 2009, whichever is soonest.

"Running club members will not be guaranteed their entry after January 15th," explained event manager, Harry Moore. "To ensure your runners get a place please ask them to enter the marathon before we reach 11,500 entries or 15th January 2009, whichever is soonest. www.edinburgh-marathon.co.uk

"We are offering free entry to British sub 2:40 males and sub 3:00 females. Free entry also if you have run a sub 73 min (male) or sub 1:25 (female). You need to have run below these times after the 1st January 2007."

There will be a number of improvements to the 2009 marathon which includes: 

1. Changes to the start and finish areas give more space to runners/supporters.
2. Goody bag. We are replacing our cotton finishers t-shirt with a technical Asics running t-shirt.
3. There will not be a compulsory EXPO for 2009. All running packs (timing chip, running number, final competitor instructions) will be posted out to UK runners. The compulsory Expo will be replaced with a pre race party/Ceilidh (mini EXPO) in the city centre.
4. We will have more shuttle buses for spectators and runners and are also introducing other changes to make the shuttle buses a more efficient service.