The Belfast Marathon sold out this week, a full two months earlier than last year and a remarkable six months before race day. It’s a sign of how strong the running scene has become in Northern Ireland, but also a bit of a nightmare if you were planning to sign up on your next payday. Maybe you thought you had time. Maybe you just didn’t think it would sell out this bloody. Either way, you’re now staring down the barrel of a marathon-shaped hole in your spring/summer calendar. Sure, you could try your luck with a charity entry or risk the murky world of “transfer available?” posts on Facebook, but between donation minimums and dodgy sellers, neither option is ideal.
The good news? All is not lost. We’ve rounded up five marathons, some close to home, others just a short flight away, that take place the exact same weekend as Belfast. Perfect if you still want to follow your training plan, run with that training group and cross a finish line that Sunday.
🏁 May 3rd 2026 – Great Limerick Run Marathon
If your eyes widen at the thought of entering a marathon and your phone is already ringing off the hook with “Did you get in yet?” texts, there’s still hope. The Great Limerick Run starts in Pery Square in Limerick at 9 am, winds its way through the city streets, along the scenic River Shannon and through the grounds of the University of Limerick, with the finish awaiting you on O’Connell Street.
Despite the city centre setting, the marathon course is described as “flat terrain” and spectator friendly, so yes, you can still aim for that PB.
The morning begins right where the wide roads do, and the finish is in the heart of the city where the crowds can cheer you off, just don’t forget that one more gel you swore you’d take before the riverbank.
- 💷 Entry Fee: €69.50 (early bird)
- 🔗 Race Website: greatlimerickrun.com
🏁 May 3rd 2026 - Newcastle Gateshead Marathon
If you fancy a trip across the Irish Sea and like the idea of finishing your marathon on an athletics track, this one’s for you. The route starts in Gateshead, winds past landmarks like the Tyne Bridge, the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, and the Millennium Bridge, before finishing with a lap inside Gateshead International Stadium. It’s a fast course on closed roads, popular with runners chasing a spring PB, and the stadium finish adds a touch of drama to the final stretch. You’ll have up to six hours to cross the line before the roads reopen, which is more than enough time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the North East.
- 💷 Entry Fee: £41
- 🔗 Race Website: runthrough.co.uk
🏁 May 3rd 2026 – Southampton Marathon
Fancy a spring marathon by the sea with a fresh new route to boot? This one starts and finishes at Guildhall Square in Southampton, takes in the city-centre buzz, the waterfront views, a run through Southampton F.C.’s St Mary’s Stadium, and over the Itchen Bridge. The elevation is modest (296 m total climb) so it’s reasonably kind on the legs and could suit a “just get me to that finish line” mindset. It manages to blend some city flavour, shutter-clicking landmarks and shoreline miles, if you’re looking for a change of scenery from Belfast but don’t want to hop across to Paris just yet, this ticks the boxes.
- 💷 Entry Fee: from £55 (early bird)
- 🔗 Race Website: southamptonmarathon.co.uk
🏁 May 3rd 2026 - Prague Marathon
So you’ve missed out on Belfast and now you’re eyeing up the Stag Capital of Europe for your next great run. Why not? The Prague Marathon starts and finishes in the heart of the old town, weaving through cobbled streets, over the Charles Bridge and along the Vltava River. It’s as scenic as marathons come, with a flat, fast course that threads past medieval towers, pastel buildings and the occasional hen party wondering why you’re running instead of drinking. It’s also eye-wateringly expensive at €120, which makes it pricier than Dublin, but think of it as paying for atmosphere, architecture, and the privilege of pretending you’re cultured for the weekend.
- 💷 Entry Fee: €120
- 🔗 Race Website: runczech.com
🏁 May 3rd 2026 - Biarritz International Marathon
If you’re looking for something a bit more exotic after your Belfast-entry mis-adventure, how about running along the Basque coast, past surfers, seaside cafés and lighthouses? The Biarritz Marathon starts (and finishes) at the Stade Aguiléra and guides you through Biarritz and the nearby villages of Arcangues, Bassussarry, Arbonne and Bidart, weaving in around 6 km of ocean-front views.
It’s not exactly pancake flat, you’ll have around 480 metres of elevation gain, so if you’ve been used to sea level strolls you might feel the quads by mile 20.
And yes, you’ll want to treat it like a mini break: run early, then maybe reward yourself with waves, Basque cider and the odd scenic vista afterwards.
- 💷 Entry Fee: €75
- 🔗 Race Website: marathonbiarritz.com
There you have it. A quick round-up of five marathons taking place the very same weekend as Belfast, so you can still train with your mates who managed to snag an entry while plotting your own 26.2-mile adventure elsewhere. Who knows, you might even come home with a better tan, a faster time, or at least a story that tops “I ran through an industrial estate on the Boucher Road again.”
It’s by no means an exhaustive list. The early May weekend is one of the busiest in the spring-summer marathon calendar, with events all across the UK and Europe, so you’re spoiled for choice. Just remember that some of these races have early bird prices that won’t hang around forever, so don’t leave it until the next payday or you’ll be back here again next year, reading an article like this one.