We know from experience that the course you choose can make or break your marathon performance. A flatter race can make running feel smoother, save energy, and give you the best chance of a personal best — but that’s not the only reason to pick one.
At Runderwear, our team have clocked up marathon miles across the UK and around the world. From 6 Star medal holders to first-time finishers, we’ve seen first-hand how every runner has their own motivation. Sometimes it’s about chasing that elusive PB, other times it’s soaking up the atmosphere, ticking off a bucket-list race, or simply running strong from start to finish.
That’s why we’ve pulled together this guide to the fastest, flattest marathons in the UK. Whether you’re aiming for a qualifying time or just want a smoother 26.2 miles, you’ll find the perfect course here to match your goals.
*Updated on: 01 October 2025
Based on our experience, here are 10 of the UK’s flattest and fastest marathons to inspire your next race:
1. Boston Marathon - UK
Often described as the flattest marathon in the UK, the Boston Marathon takes place in the historic market town of Boston, Lincolnshire. While it shares its name with the famous American race, this event has its own unique charm: a course that is virtually pancake-flat, winding through the peaceful Lincolnshire countryside.
Elevation: 6m
Race Highlights:
- Virtually flat terrain from start to finish
- Scenic route through farmland and rural villages
- Marathon, half marathon, and relay options
- Cash prizes across multiple categories
- Perfect choice for personal best attempts
Held every April, the Boston Marathon (UK) is an excellent spring racing option for runners looking to test themselves on one of England’s most forgiving marathon courses. Whether you’re aiming for a PB, a qualifying time, or simply a smooth and enjoyable 26.2 miles, this event delivers.
2. Newport Marathon
The ABP Newport Marathon has earned its reputation as one of the flattest marathon courses in Europe. This Welsh event combines city landmarks, stunning coastal views, and picturesque villages into one fast course.
Elevation: 19m
Race Highlights:
- Over 70% of finishers achieve personal bests
- Flat, fast course perfect for first-timers and experienced runners
- Festival atmosphere with multiple race distances
- Scenic route through South Wales
- Excellent spectator support
Newport's position along the coast provides not only flat running but also beautiful scenery, making it one of the fastest marathons in the UK for both enjoyment and performance.
3. Manchester Marathon
Regarded as one of the flattest, fastest, and friendliest marathons in the UK, the Manchester Marathon has become hugely popular among runners seeking quick times. The course runs entirely on closed roads through the city center and past iconic football stadiums.
Elevation: 50m
Race Highlights:
- Finishes outside Old Trafford Stadium
- Routes through the heart of Manchester
- Vibrant, supportive atmosphere throughout
- Excellent for sub-3 hour and sub-4 hour attempts
- One of the four most popular marathons in Europe
The Manchester course's urban setting provides constant crowd support while maintaining the flat profile that runners need for fast times.
4. London Marathon
While not exclusively the flattest marathon in the UK, the London Marathon holds the distinction of being the fastest marathon course in the UK and one of the fastest in the world. The course's relatively flat profile, combined with perfect organization and elite pacing, creates ideal conditions for record attempts.
Elevation: 51m
Race Highlights:
- Course record: 2:01:25 (Kelvin Kiptum, 2023)
- Women's world record set here: 2:15:50 (Tigst Assefa, 2025)
- World-class field ensures fast pacing
- Exceptional crowd support over 26.2 miles
- Iconic route through Britain's capital
The London Marathon demonstrates how a relatively flat course, combined with optimal race conditions, creates one of the fastest marathons in the UK and worldwide.
5. Abingdon Marathon
Located in Oxfordshire, the Abingdon Marathon offers runners one of the flattest courses in southern England. The race follows country lanes and quiet roads, providing a peaceful running experience.
Elevation: 72m
Race Highlights:
- Minimal elevation gain throughout
- Scenic rural setting
- Less crowded than major city marathons
- Historic town finish
- Friendly, community atmosphere
6. Eastbourne Marathon
Running along England's south coast, the Eastbourne Marathon provides a flat, fast course with sea views. The coastal location means minimal hills and often favorable running conditions.
Quick clarification here because this catches people out: there are TWO marathons in Eastbourne, and only one is flat. I'm talking about the Eastbourne Marathon (usually July), not the Beachy Head Marathon which is basically one of the hilliest races in the UK with 300 steps and over 1,300m of elevation. Definitely not what we're after!
The proper Eastbourne Marathon is brilliant though, it's four flat laps of 10.55km along the Western Lawns on Eastbourne's scenic lower promenade.
Race Highlights:
- Properly flat coastal loops – no surprises
- You get those lovely sea views throughout
- Four-lap course means great crowd support (they see you multiple times!)
- Perfect for good-for-age qualifications or marathon debuts
- Summer racing by the seaside – what's not to love?
The multi-lap format might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it does mean consistent conditions and you know exactly what's coming.
7. Shakespeare Marathon (Stratford-upon-Avon)
Running a marathon in Shakespeare's birthplace sounds romantic, right? Well, it's also properly flat, which is even better. The Shakespeare Marathon follows a two-lap course (one lap for the half) through Stratford-upon-Avon and along the Stratford Greenway.
Elevation: 47m
Race Highlights:
- Genuinely flat and fast route designed for PBs
- Most of the course on closed roads through town
- The rest on the Stratford Greenway – a hard, compact footpath (not trails)
- Historic town center atmosphere
- Two-lap format means you know what's coming on lap two
- Usually in late April, so good spring weather
8. Milton Keynes Marathon
Now here's a marathon that really embraces being flat. Milton Keynes was literally designed with straight roads and wide boulevards, which makes it perfect for marathon running. This multi-award-winning event takes place during the early May bank holiday weekend.
Elevation: 115m
Race Highlights:
- The city was designed to be flat, so you're running exactly as the urban planners intended
- Tree-lined boulevards and leafy lanes make it surprisingly scenic
- Routes through the Open University Campus add character
- Fast and flat course ideal for PB attempts
- Great atmosphere with strong local support
- Part of a whole weekend of running events
The Milton Keynes Marathon has won multiple awards, and when you're running along those perfectly flat roads, you'll understand why. It's Buckinghamshire's most popular weekend of running for good reason.
9. Goodwood Motor Circuit Marathon
Right, this is a bit different, you're literally running on a racing circuit. The Running Grand Prix at Goodwood Motor Circuit gives you the chance to run where racing legends have driven, and it's absolutely pancake flat.
Elevation: 34m
Race Highlights:
- Flat race circuit at the foot of the Sussex Downs
- Smooth tarmac racing surface throughout
- Traffic-free and closed circuit
- Multiple distance options if you want to bring friends (5k to 50k)
- Definitely gets you a PB opportunity
- Historic motorsport venue
Running laps of a motor circuit isn't for everyone. It's not the most scenic marathon you'll ever do, but if you want guaranteed flat conditions and a unique experience, this is brilliant. Plus, the smooth racing tarmac is exceptionally kind to your legs.
10. Chester Marathon
Okay, I'll level with you, Chester Marathon isn't quite as flat as the others on this list. It's got some gentle undulations through the city. But it still deserves a spot here because it's predominantly flat and remains one of the fastest marathons in the UK.
Elevation: 47m
Race Highlights:
- Mostly flat with only gentle rolling sections
- Stunning Roman city setting – proper history
- Two-lap course through the historic center
- Strong community atmosphere and crowd support
- Beautiful architecture keeps you distracted
- Still fast enough for PB attempts
The gentle hills at Chester are honestly more like ripples than proper climbs, and the historic setting makes them worth it. If you want flat with a side of spectacular scenery, Chester delivers.
Training for a Flat Marathon
Even though you're running a flat course, proper training remains absolutely essential. Don't think flat means easy – you've still got 26.2 miles to get through!
Tempo Work: I can't stress this enough – you need sustained pace efforts at or near your goal marathon pace. This builds your endurance at race intensity, which is crucial.
Long Runs: Build that aerobic base gradually with progressively longer runs. Try to include some portions at your goal pace so your body gets used to what race day will feel like.
Speed Sessions: Track workouts or intervals develop your leg speed and running economy. Even if you're not chasing a fast time, these make the marathon pace feel more comfortable.
Race Pace Practice: Regularly practice running at your target marathon pace. Pacing discipline is everything on race day, and you can't wing it.
Flat Course Training: Look, you don't need extensive hill training for a flat marathon. But do try to run on similar flat terrain during training – it helps your body adapt to the repetitive motion and consistent effort.
Race Day Strategy for Flat Courses
To get the best out of your flat marathon experience, here's what I've learned works:
Even Pacing: This is critical. Flat courses make it dangerously easy to go out too fast because everything feels effortless in the early miles. Resist that temptation. Stick to your plan.
Energy Management: Here's something people don't talk about enough – without hills to force natural recovery periods, you've got to consciously manage your effort throughout. The consistency of flat running can actually be tiring in its own way.
Mental Preparation: Flat courses can be mentally challenging because the terrain never changes. You need strategies to stay focused – breaking the race into chunks, focusing on form, whatever works for you.
Wind Awareness: Flat, open courses often expose you to headwinds or crosswinds. Be prepared to adjust your effort accordingly. Sometimes that headwind feels like you're running uphill anyway!
Hydration and Nutrition: Stick to your practiced fueling strategy religiously. Take advantage of aid stations efficiently, but don't try anything new on race day. Ever.
Choosing the Right Flat Marathon for You
Right, so you've got ten properly flat options here. How do you choose? Let me break down some considerations:
Experience Level: If this is your first marathon, I'd lean toward smaller events like Boston Lincolnshire, Abingdon, or Shakespeare. Less overwhelming, easier logistics. Experienced runners chasing specific times might target London, Manchester, or Newport.
Crowd Support: City marathons like Manchester and London offer continuous spectator support, which can be absolutely massive for your motivation. Rural races like Boston and Abingdon give you peaceful running instead.
Course Features: Some of you will love lap courses (Eastbourne, Chester, Goodwood) because you know what's coming. Others want variety and would prefer point-to-point or more varied routes like Newport or Manchester.
Entry Requirements: London requires ballot entry or a qualifying time, which adds complexity. Most other flat marathons offer guaranteed entry if you register early enough.
Travel Logistics: Think about accommodation availability, travel connections, and whether you fancy making it a weekend away. Some of these races are in brilliant locations for a mini-break.
Conclusion
Choosing from the flattest marathons in the UK gives you the best opportunity to achieve whatever you're aiming for – whether that's a first marathon finish, a personal best, a qualifying time for a major event, or just an enjoyable 26.2 miles without your legs absolutely hating you.
From the rural tranquility of Boston in Lincolnshire to the urban energy of Manchester, from the coastal beauty of Newport and Eastbourne to the world-class atmosphere of London, from the historic charm of Shakespeare's Stratford to the unique experience of Goodwood's racing circuit – the UK offers genuinely diverse options for runners seeking fast, flat courses.
The fastest marathons in the UK combine minimal elevation with excellent organization, optimal race-day conditions, and supportive atmospheres. By selecting the right race for your goals, training appropriately for the distance, and executing smart race-day strategy, you'll maximize your chances of achieving whatever marathon goal you've been working towards.
More Running Advice from the experts at Runderwear:
Alternatively view the full list of Runderwear running advice articles.
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