Full entry policy — transfers, deferrals, refunds
Edinburgh Marathon's approach to entries is meaningfully different from most major UK marathons. While London, Brighton, and Manchester all prohibit person-to-person transfers, Edinburgh operates an official portal that allows you to pass your entry to another runner within a defined window. It's one of the most runner-friendly entry policies in the UK.
Edinburgh Marathon's transfer terms, window dates, and fees are published annually on the official website. Policy details can change between years. The information above reflects recently published terms — always check edinburghmarathon.com for the current 2027 specifics before making any decisions.
How to transfer your Edinburgh Marathon entry — step by step
The Edinburgh Marathon transfer process runs through the official race website. Both the seller (original entrant) and the buyer (new runner) need to complete steps. Here's the typical process — exact steps may vary slightly for 2027, so always follow the instructions on the official website.
Edinburgh Marathon operates a defined transfer window — typically opening a few months after entries go live and closing several weeks before race day. Log in to your account on the official Edinburgh Marathon website to check whether the transfer portal is currently active. Transfers outside the window are not possible.
Before initiating the transfer, agree the sale price with your buyer. Use Edinburgh Marathon's community forums, running clubs, or BibBuddy's community to connect with runners looking for a place. Be clear about what's included in the entry. Read our guide to safely buying and selling a race entry before exchanging any money.
Log in to your Edinburgh Marathon account and navigate to the entry management section. Select the transfer option and enter the new runner's email address or details to send them the transfer invitation. You'll receive confirmation that the transfer invitation has been sent.
Your buyer receives an invitation email to complete the transfer. They log in or create an account, accept the transfer, complete their runner profile (emergency contacts, medical information), and pay the transfer fee to the race organiser. The fee is paid to Edinburgh Marathon — not to you. Your sale price is settled separately between the two of you.
Once complete, both runner and buyer receive confirmation. The new runner will be issued a new bib number — they should not use your original number. Settle your payment using a safe method — see our safe bib transfer guide for the best payment methods and verification steps — and only after both parties have received transfer confirmation from the race organiser.
Don't send or receive money for an Edinburgh Marathon entry transfer until both parties have received official confirmation from the race organiser that the transfer is complete. See our full guide to safe bib transfer payments →
Finding a buyer or seller for Edinburgh Marathon
With an official transfer portal, Edinburgh Marathon is one of the few UK races where buying and selling entries is entirely legitimate. The market for Edinburgh entries is active — the race sells out every year, meaning demand from runners who missed out is real and consistent.
Good places to find buyers or sellers:
- Edinburgh Marathon official community: The race's own social channels and forums are the first port of call — runners looking for entries often post there
- UK running Facebook groups: "UK Running Chat", "Scotland Running Club" groups, and Edinburgh-specific running communities regularly have transfer posts
- Local running clubs: Edinburgh Athletics Club, Portobello Running Club, and others — members often know runners looking for places
- BibBuddy: When the platform launches, Edinburgh Marathon transfers will be listed — the race's official transfer policy makes it one of BibBuddy's core events
Since the transfer is official, you're offering a legitimate, fully-compliant place. The buyer pays the transfer fee separately to the race. A fair seller price is typically the original entry fee plus a small amount for time spent — not a significant markup. Edinburgh Marathon entries are in demand, but pricing too high puts runners off a legitimate process that should be accessible.
Charity place holders
If you hold a charity place, your situation is different from a general or ballot entry. Charity places are typically arranged separately between the runner and the charity, and the race's transfer portal may not apply to them in the same way.
Contact your charity directly as soon as you know you can't race. Options vary by organisation — some charities allow a replacement runner to take the charity place (keeping the fundraising live), while others require the place to revert to them. The earlier you notify them, the more options they have.
How Edinburgh compares to other major UK marathons
Edinburgh's transfer policy stands out in the UK marathon landscape. Here's how it compares to the other major races:
Need to buy or sell an Edinburgh Marathon entry?
BibBuddy connects runners for official race transfers — Edinburgh's transfer portal makes it one of the cleanest transactions in UK running. Join the waitlist to be first when we launch.
Join BibBuddy Waitlist →Frequently asked questions
Yes. Edinburgh Marathon operates an official person-to-person transfer portal. Transfers are permitted within the defined window and require a transfer fee paid to the race organiser. Check the official Edinburgh Marathon website for the 2027 transfer window dates and fee once published.
The transfer fee is paid to the race organiser by the new runner. Based on recent years, expect a fee in the range of £10–25. Your personal sale price (what you charge the buyer for the entry itself) is a separate matter agreed between the two of you.
Deferral is available in limited circumstances — pregnancy deferral has been offered in previous years. General deferrals for injury are not guaranteed. Contact Edinburgh Marathon directly with your circumstances and check the current deferral terms on the official website.
The 2027 transfer window dates have not yet been published. Check the official Edinburgh Marathon website and your runner communications for the announcement. Historically, the window opens several months after entries go live and closes a few weeks before race day.
An official transfer through the Edinburgh Marathon portal issues the new runner a new bib number with their own identity, medical information, and emergency contacts. An unofficial swap means the new runner races under the original runner's identity — which creates safety risks and is against race rules. Read our guide to safe bib transfers →