Major travel disruptions will hit Edinburgh and East Lothian from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24, 2026, as the Edinburgh Marathon Festival forces over 100 road closures, strict parking restrictions, and extensive public transport alterations.
The weekend sports event features 5k, 10k, and junior races on Saturday, followed by the half-marathon and full marathon on Sunday morning.
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Local councils and transport operators have urged residents and visitors to plan ahead due to the scale of the infrastructure changes.
Bus and Rail Adjustments
Lothian Buses confirmed that 27 of its services, including city, airport, and sightseeing routes, will experience diversions or altered schedules to accommodate the race courses.
Organizers stated they are working closely with local councils to minimize local impacts and maintain essential connections for commuting workers and residents.
Rail travelers face similar adjustments, with ScotRail operating a normal Sunday timetable but implementing safety queuing systems at key stations before the event and at Musselburgh station afterward.
To manage the influx of travelers, additional rail staff will be deployed across the network throughout the weekend.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, highlighted the operational readiness for the busy weekend, which also coincides with the Melrose 7s rugby tournament on Friday and Saturday.
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"Scotland is hosting two fantastic events over the weekend of 22 to 24 May, and we’re looking forward to helping customers travel to both the Edinburgh Marathon Festival and Melrose 7s," said Campbell.
The transport director urged passengers to allow extra travel time and prepare for station crowds.
"We’re encouraging customers to plan ahead, check their journey before travelling, and allow themselves a little extra time, particularly for the Edinburgh Marathon Festival where queuing systems will be in place at some stations to help manage customer flows safely," said Campbell.
The rail operator also advised passengers to buy tickets in advance to ensure smoother transfers.
"Buying return tickets in advance will also help make journeys smoother, and our staff will be on hand throughout the weekend to support customers," said Campbell.
Road Restrictions by Zone
Road restrictions are divided into seven distinct geographic zones, with the first two covering Edinburgh city center and the coast, while zones four through seven impact East Lothian.
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Specific high-traffic areas facing full closures include Queen’s Drive, Holyrood Park Road, Potterrow, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Canongate, and portions of Seafield Road East.
