The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Two-lap loop, entirely traffic-free seafront |
| Start | North Promenade, Blackpool (FY1 1SA) |
| Finish | North Promenade, Blackpool (same as start) |
| Registration | Open entry - no ballot |
| Total Finishers | 673 (2026) |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 9--13°C |
| Cutoff Time | 7 hours |
| Free Race Day Transport | No shuttle needed (same start and finish) |
| Course Certification | UKA certified |
The Blackpool Marathon runs two identical laps of the North Promenade, entirely traffic-free on both the carriageway and the seafront walkways. The Irish Sea is to your left throughout. It is one of the flattest marathon courses in England - there are no hills, no camber changes, and no hidden sting in the second lap.
For the PB-chaser, the flat profile and cool April temperatures make Blackpool a realistic target race. The one caveat is exposure: the North Promenade has no shelter from westerly wind coming off the Irish Sea, and a moderate breeze adds meaningful resistance on the outward legs of each lap. Check the forecast in the week before the race. In calm conditions this is one of the easier courses in the north of England to run fast on.
With 673 finishers in 2026, this is a deliberately small event. The intimate field means fewer runners in your target pace range than at a city marathon, so arrive with your own pacing plan rather than relying on finding a group. The low entry numbers also mean the start area is uncrowded and the water stations stay well-stocked.
Entry
| Registration Type | Open entry - no ballot |
| Entry Opens | Several months before the April race date |
| Cutoff Time | 7 hours (enforced due to road closure restrictions) |
| Finisher Reward | Medal and commemorative technical t-shirt |
The Run Blackpool Festival Marathon uses open entry - there is no ballot and no Good For Age system. Register directly at runblackpoolfestival.com. As a smaller community race, places typically remain available several months before the event; you are unlikely to miss out if you register early in the year.
All finishers receive a medal and a commemorative technical finisher t-shirt. The 7-hour cutoff is a hard limit imposed by road closure restrictions; anyone running beyond that pace should enter the half marathon instead.
Register at runblackpoolfestival.com →Race Weekend
Saturday: Number collection at the event HQ on the Middle Walkway, North Promenade (FY1 1SA), from 9am to 2pm. Pre-collection is available Tuesday to Thursday the week before the race, 10am to 4pm at the events office. The Saturday programme also includes the 10k (10:30am start), 5k (1pm), and 2k (2pm) - the promenade is active all day.
Sunday - Race Day: Number collection reopens at 7am and closes at 8:45am. The marathon and half marathon both start at 9am from the North Promenade. Wheelchair athletes start at the front; buggy runners and Nordic walkers start at the rear. The race uses staggered positions but a single gun. Water stations are spaced approximately every 3 miles. Portable toilets are at the start/finish; public toilets are available on the route for a 40p charge.
Getting there: Wilton Parade tram stop is a 1-minute walk from the event HQ and is the most convenient public transport option. Blackpool North station is approximately 1 mile away. Buses 1, 2, and 21 serve the area. There is no parking on the Middle Walkway itself, but Blackpool has public car parks throughout the town.
Bag storage: A marquee near the HQ holds bags during the race. Do not leave valuables - the area is not manned while the race is underway.
Where to Stay
The start and finish are the same location on the North Promenade (FY1 1SA), north of Blackpool North Pier. Any hotel on the seafront between North Shore and the town centre is within easy walking distance of the race HQ. There is no transport equation to solve and no reason to stay anywhere other than the promenade strip. Aim for FY1 or FY2 postcodes for the best proximity.
Book 2 to 4 months in advance. Blackpool is a popular leisure destination year-round and spring weekends fill quickly, particularly around Easter.
Blackpool's grandest Victorian seafront hotel, directly on the North Promenade. The closest large hotel to the race HQ. Period interiors, sea-view rooms.
Reliable chain hotel on the promenade with sea views. Standard room quality, convenient for the race.
Blackpool has a dense stock of B&Bs and guesthouses along the North Promenade and the streets directly behind it. Search FY1 postcodes for best proximity to race HQ.
Reliable mid-range chain. Confirm the North Shore location - Blackpool has several Premier Inns; the northernmost is closest to the race.
See & Do
The race starts and finishes on the North Promenade north of Blackpool North Pier. You will run past most of the town's main attractions on the course itself. After the race, everything below is accessible on foot from the finish line in post-marathon shuffle mode.
Take the lift - 158m to the observation deck and a glass floor. The Tower Ballroom beneath it is worth seeing regardless. Entry includes both. An hour here does not require functioning legs.
The oldest and quietest of Blackpool's three piers. The race passes it twice on both laps. After the race, walk to the end - 520m out over the Irish Sea - for a different view of the promenade you just ran.
Blackpool's central promenade runs from North Pier south past the Tower to the Pleasure Beach - 2.5km (1.5 miles) of fish-and-chip shops, illumination gantries, heritage trams, and amusements. You ran some of this. After the race it is a legitimately pleasant flat walk.
After the Race
Blackpool sits at the junction of two types of post-marathon trip: flat northern cities (Manchester, Liverpool) that are ideal for recovering legs, and upland national parks (the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales) that are worth visiting but demand caution. Choose based on how your legs feel.
A genuinely flat city for post-marathon legs. The Science and Industry Museum (MOSI) on Liverpool Road is free and covers three hours easily. The Northern Quarter is the best neighbourhood for food. Manchester Piccadilly to the airport takes 18 minutes if you are flying home from Manchester.
The Albert Dock waterfront is entirely flat: Tate Liverpool, the Beatles Story, the Museum of Liverpool, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum are all within 200m of each other. Merseyrail connects the city centre to Liverpool John Lennon Airport in 25 minutes.
The lake shores at Windermere and Bowness are walkable at water level. However, the Lake District has no genuinely flat trails - any excursion into the fells involves real climbing. Go to look at the lakes and eat at the waterside pubs; leave the walks for the week after recovery.
Skipton itself is manageable: the castle, the covered market, and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal basin are all flat. The Dales themselves - Malham, Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough - are exclusively hilly terrain and better saved for when your legs have fully recovered. Skipton makes a worthwhile half-day stop even if you go no further into the national park.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Blackpool Marathon?
The Blackpool Marathon starts and finishes at the same point on the North Promenade. Any hotel on the seafront between North Shore and the town centre puts you within easy walking distance of the race HQ. No transport equation to solve.
How far in advance should I book for the Blackpool Marathon?
2--4 months is usually sufficient, but Blackpool is popular and spring bank holiday weekends fill quickly. Book earlier if the race coincides with Easter.
Is there free transport to the Blackpool Marathon start?
No shuttle needed - the start and finish are the same location. Wilton Parade tram stop is a 1-minute walk from race HQ. Blackpool North station is approximately 1 mile away.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the Blackpool Marathon?
North Promenade, FY1 or FY2 postcodes. The race HQ is at FY1 1SA, north of North Pier. Any seafront hotel between North Shore and the Tower is within easy walking distance.
When does number collection open for the Blackpool Marathon?
Saturday 9am--2pm and Sunday 7am--8:45am at the event HQ, Middle Walkway, North Promenade. Pre-collection Tuesday--Thursday the week before, 10am--4pm.
What is the weather like at the Blackpool Marathon?
Late April on the Lancashire coast: 9--13°C. The North Promenade is fully exposed to westerly wind off the Irish Sea - this is the main performance variable. In calm conditions, the flat course is excellent for a PB.
How do I get from the airport to Blackpool?
Manchester Airport is the nearest. Metrolink tram to Piccadilly (20 min), then train to Blackpool North via Preston (around 1hr 15min total). By road: M6 and M55, around 1 hour.
Is there a bag drop at the Blackpool Marathon?
Yes - a bag storage marquee near the event HQ. Do not leave valuables; the area is not manned during the race.
Should I bring a throwaway layer to the Blackpool Marathon start?
Yes. An April morning on the exposed North Promenade can be cold, particularly with a westerly wind. Bring a layer to discard at the 9am start.
How do I get back to Manchester or Liverpool after the Blackpool Marathon?
Blackpool North station is approximately 1 mile from the finish. Trains to Preston connect to Manchester Piccadilly (~1hr 15min) and Liverpool Lime Street (~1hr 20min). The Wilton Parade tram stop (1 min from the finish) runs to Blackpool North.