Welcome To Run St Magnus!
St. Magnus Marathon and Relay
The UK’s Most Northerly Marathon
Sunday 5th July 2026
The Birsay Community Association welcomes you to the eighth St. Magnus Marathon.
To be held on Sunday 5th of July 2026.
The marathon starts at 9:30am from Kirkwall’s St. Magnus Cathedral, the marathon route follows that associated with the journey undertaken by his followers after the martyrdom of the Viking Earl Magnus to the ancient Christ’s Kirk in Birsay, finishing at the nearby Birsay Community Hall. A challenging but beautiful scenic route through Orkneys west mainland. Run the full marathon or join a team of three for the Relay event.
Wilst they wait for you at the finish, family and friends can join in the popular St. Magnus 5K Fun Run which follows a circular route around the Birsay Hall, sign ups on the day.
Entries for Marathon & Relay
All entries are via Entry Central; there will be no entries on the day of the race. Transfers are allowed until Sunday 21st June, 2026; this can be done via entry central. After that date race entries are not exchangeable.
Health and Safety
Clear route maps will be posted at Registration and can be found on St Magnus Marathon Facebook page; we ask you to study these clearly before the race. The route is well signposted, it is almost all on public roads, not closed to traffic. Due to UK Athletics rules, runners must NOT wear headphones when running. The organisers are being assisted by a number of volunteer marshals. The safety of all is paramount and it is a condition of entry that competitors must follow the instructions of the marshals. First aid will be at the finish line and, if required on course, a marshal will contact First Aiders via our dedicated communications system. The marshals will be on the course for the required time to oversee all capabilities of runners, noting that runners must enter emergency contact details on the back of their bib number.
Facilities
There are changing facilities at Registration including toilet facilities; car parking is available and details will be included with the Registration Pack. Marathon runners’ finish bags will be transported to the finish at Birsay Hall. There will be 7 water stations on the Marathon route, and water will be available at the finish. Catering and refreshments will be available from 10am on the day at the Birsay Hall, where there is a childrens playpark. A prize giving will be held in the Hall after the event.
Travelling to Orkney
By railway, coach, or car make your way to either Aberdeen or Scrabster, the harbour by Thurso, from where you can travel by NorthLink Ferries, or to Gill’s Bay, near John O’Groats, to travel with Pentland Ferries: both coach and train links connect with these ferry services.
Where to stay
Excellent camping and caravan, and Hostel, facilities are available immediately next door to the finish at the Birsay Community Hall, with self-catering and bed & breakfast accommodation throughout the parish. Orkney also has more of these, as well as excellent hotel accommodation, in the larger towns of Stromness and Kirkwall. Please go to www.visitorkney.com for more information on travel and accommodation.
If you require any further information do not hesitate to contact the organisers by email or facebook.