Shakespeare Marathon

Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://www.shakespearemarathon.org.uk/
2025 Marathon Date: 27/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 26/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 02:32:50
% Sub-3s: 2–5%
# Sub-3s: 10–49
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Shakespeare Marathon is a longstanding spring race held in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the historic birthplace of William Shakespeare. With a course that blends English market-town charm and quiet countryside, it offers a calm and focused alternative to the UK’s larger urban marathons.

The course begins and ends near the centre of Stratford-Upon-Avon and follows a two-lap route through rural Warwickshire. It includes long stretches on country roads with gentle undulations, and while there are no major climbs, the rolling profile and two-lap format demand concentration and energy conservation in the second half.

Late April weather in central England is generally cool and mild, with a reasonable chance of cloud cover or light rain. These conditions often suit sustained effort, though wind can occasionally affect exposed stretches of the course.

The event is well organised, with a supportive atmosphere, clearly marked roads and a small-field feel. Crowd support is modest but friendly, especially around the town centre and at the finish line. Aid stations are spaced appropriately and provide all the essentials for performance-focused runners.

For sub-3 marathoners, the Shakespeare Marathon offers a quietly challenging test. Its smaller scale and rural course allow for consistent pacing, though the repeated loop and mild elevation shifts can make negative splits difficult. With the right mindset and preparation, it remains a strong choice for runners seeking a low-key but reliable spring marathon in the UK.