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Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon race photo

Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

GBApr 25, 202742.195km · 21.1km
Race date in 200 days
Apr 25, 2027 Sun
City · Distance
Stratford-upon-Avon · 42.195km · 21.1km
Entry fee
£41Varies by event and entry period
Official website ↗D-day as of Oct 7, 2026
Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon race photo
About the raceRunner storiesHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

It will be held in Stratford-upon-Avon, England on April 25, 2027.

Full marathon and half marathon open in course where the vehicle is controlled.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2
Daniel Campbell-MilesRan in 2026 · Finish time 04:05:42
“My friend was feeling much stronger, so he pushed on without me and I ran the last 12k of the race solo.”

Daniel Campbell-Miles slowed his pace in the heat late in the 2026 Shakespeare Marathon, running the final 12km alone. He finished in 4 hours, 5 minutes, 42 seconds, cherishing the moment he held his daughter's hand near the finish as his favorite finish-line memory.

Read the original on Newport & District Running Club
Dave PhillipsRan in 2018 · Finish time 06:10:00
“But what a hot day again.”

Dave Phillips started early to meet the time limit at the 2018 Shakespeare Marathon, alternating running and brisk walking under strong sunshine. He endured the unshaded former railway stretch, then entered the finish with his grandchildren in 6 hours, 10 minutes.

Read the original on Massey Ferguson Runners Club

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon presented by Nuun 2024

RunThrough

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

General entry · Marathon

Entry cost £45

Enter through RunThrough (a 5% booking fee applies separately).

Organizer's page

General entry · Half

Entry cost £41

Enter through RunThrough (a 5% booking fee applies separately).

Organizer's page
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon course map and elevation

The 42.195km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 09:00
Time limit6 hours
Show more

Full marathon 6 hours

EventStartTime limit
Marathon42.195km09:006h
Half21.0975km09:00—
START

Stratford-upon-Avon town centre

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

Recreation Ground, Stratford-upon-Avon

Finish · Google Maps
Show more

Starting from the city center, it passes through Ludington and Welford-on-Avon before returning to the Stratford Greenway. Half marathon is 1 lap, and the full route is 2 laps via Long Marston.

The Shakespeare Marathon & half marathon is a competition held in Stratford-upon-Avon,

well-known as Shakespeare's hometown, and is hosted by Runthrough Events in conjunction with the Stratford Rotary Club.

Since the entire road is controlled, there is no chance of encountering vehicles,

and thanks to these conditions, it is also popular with runners aiming for personal best.

Course starts from the town center, passes next to the racecourse and continues towards Luddington and Welford-on-Avon,

before joining the well-paved Stratford Greenway and returning to the village.

Half marathon goes around this section once and passes finish at the Recreation Ground,

and full marathon marathon completes a second loop extending further to the Longmaston section and finishes at the same point.

There are many sections that alternate between Tudor-era streets along the Avon River and the countryside of Warwickshire,

so there are many participants who want to enjoy running while touring Shakespeare's ruins.

Organizer
RunThrough · Stratford Rotary Club
Typical race-season temperature: around 8°C (47°F)
Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers
Aid stations
Water supply approximately every 5km

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Restrooms

Water stations

Finisher medal

Where and when to collect your Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition
Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

Stratford-upon-Avon railway station, about a 1.1-mile walk to the event village/Recreation Ground area.

Start is in the town centre, heading past the racecourse toward Luddington and Welford-on-Avon.

Date confirmed as Sunday 25 April 2027.

Getting to the finish

Same as start — Recreation Ground, Stratford-upon-Avon, reachable via the same ~1.1-mile walk from the rail station.

Half marathon finishes at the Recreation Ground;

full marathon does two loops before finishing at the same venue.

More details

No dedicated race shuttle;

Stratford-upon-Avon Park & Ride runs extended Sunday hours from 7:30 AM as an alternative to driving into town.

Stations & transport near the venue

The Stratford Park and Ride service is scheduled to run from 7:30 am.

Half marathon runners should use the shopping-centre car park (3–4 hours);

full marathon runners should use the long-stay car park.

Source · checked Aug 23, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The number of participants in the competition is limited to approximately 3,700 participants for the marathon and half marathon,

and on-site registration is not accepted (as of the previous year).

As of the 2027 competition,

Entry fee is around 36 pounds until May 3, and the registration deadline is set for March 28 (based on the previous year, the amount may vary depending on the category).

Due to wide road closures, city traffic will be restricted on race day, so walking is recommended from the nearest Stratford-upon-Avon train station.

Times are local to Stratford-upon-Avon. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels near the Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon start line in Stratford-upon-Avon

Hotels that make race morning easy

7 places

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

49 experiences

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Golden Gower Coast & Mumbles Day Tour

Golden Gower Coast · Maritime Museum · Mumbles Coach Day Tour · ₩188,497

View on GetYourGuide

Discover Windsor and the Eton Riverside on a Private Tour

₩3,059,194

View on Klook

London Hampstead Road Locks Half-Day Guided Boat Tour

₩42,304

View on Klook

Liverpool FC Anfield Stadium & Museum Tour (Train)

₩304,245

View on Klook

Guided Welsh Food Walking Tour

Traditional Welsh Cuisine Walking Tour · ₩99,958

View on GetYourGuide

London Camden Lock Market Half-Day Small-Group Food Tour

₩122,423

View on Klook

British Museum Afternoon Tea Experience in London

₩81,092

View on Klook

Evening Food Tour of London’s Soho and Chinatown with a Local Guide

₩143,803

View on Klook

Stratford-upon-Avon Car Rental (EconomyBookings)

Compare rates from various rental car companies, self-drive (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Make reservation after checking price

View on EconomyBookings

Stratford-upon-Avon Airport–City Centre Private Taxi

Fixed rate advance reservation, pickup at the door, check price and reserve

View on Kiwitaxi

London Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Transportation Included)

₩165,591

View on Klook

London｜Private Airport Transfer Service to/from London Heathrow Airport

₩86,108

View on Klook

London｜Private airport pickup/drop-off service from London City Airport

₩90,166

View on Klook

Stonehenge & Bath Full-Day Tour from London

₩114,047

View on Klook

Cardiff in a Day: Castle & National Museum Tour

Cardiff Castle + National Museum of Wales Guided Tour · ₩161,643

View on GetYourGuide

Luxury Blenheim Palace & Cotswolds Villages Day Tour, Including Bampton (Departing from and Returning to London)

₩186,829

View on Klook

London Blenheim Palace Small-Group Historical Tour (Full Day)

₩124,322

View on Klook

Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & Cotswolds Tour

₩141,417

View on Klook

Brecon Beacons Waterfall Hike (Guided)

Guided hike to 4 waterfalls in Brecon Beacons National Park · ₩245,320

View on GetYourGuide

London Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Driving Experience

₩240,357

View on Klook

London Hidden Gems Half-Day Private Bike Tour

₩801,259

View on Klook

London City Highlights Half-Day Private Bike Tour

₩801,259

View on Klook

Day Trip from London to Stratford Upon Avon Warwick Castle

₩1,492,816

View on Klook

Oxford University Half-Day Guided Walking Tour

₩141,858

View on Klook

Bridgerton & Bath City Highlights Walking Tour (Including Music Listening)

₩37,400

View on Klook

Bath Private Interactive Treasure Hunt & City Walk

₩54,833

View on Klook

2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of London’s Notting Hill

₩42,477

View on Klook
Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Stratford-upon-Avon with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Distances and ratings for food and sights come from the place provider, and experiences are travel products in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Total cost and budget for Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · YesimFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Stratford-upon-Avon runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon

FAQ
When does Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sun, April 25, 2027 in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom.

How much is the Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 entry fee?

From £41, depending on the event and registration period.

What is the time limit for Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon 2027?

Full marathon 6 hours.

What distances does Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 offer?

Marathon · Half.

What time does Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 start?

The race starts at 09:00.

Where does Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 start?

Stratford-upon-Avon town centre.

Where does Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon 2027 finish?

Recreation Ground, Stratford-upon-Avon.

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