What's a good first marathon that's easy to get an entry into?

flazio

Hi, I'm training for a half marathon this year with the aim to do a full one next year. It seems marathons like Dublin, London etc are really hard to get entry into so I'm asking what's a good atmosphere marathon that's a bit more straightforward to get an entry for. It can be in this country or anywhere in the EU.

Murph_D

Cork, although it sold out early this year, unusually. Also Limerick, Galway Bay, Belfast - rarely much pressure. Similarly Manchester, Brighton, Frankfurt.

Good luck!

sonyvision

You can't put Dublin and London in the sale difficultto get a spot. London is one of the world series and is extremely difficult to get. On the other hand if your involved in a running group Dublin allows individuals to transfer the tickets later in the year. People always get injuried!.

I'm doing budapest in October, two weeks before Dublin. Plenty of tickets out there and weekend flights/hotels not to bad either. If you have friends who run there is always relay events OK the same weekend.

You can run Lisbon either, not hilly as it's a point to point course. I really enjoyed it. However for an event with loads of support Dublin has gotta be number 1 for me.

Reg'stoy

I don't know the odds of getting an entry to London or Berlin, but failed to get an entry for either of them for the last number of years. Getting an entry to Cork or Belfast is a near certainty if you sign up straight away, of the both…Belfast just edges it for me if you are looking to feed off the crowd.

Sports international is an option or indeed taking a charity place, my first Dublin was for charity back in 2008, but for the life of me I can't remember if I entered normally or got a charity place. Anyway running for a particular cause will get you an entry. As said above, you will find it hard to get as well a supported event than Dublin, last weekend's 1/2 was the closest I've come to it.

Personally speaking, I'd go for a charity place, you get an entry to Dublin so get to experience a wonderful race and a charity gets some much needed funds.

Pawwed Rig

Longford, Connemara, Westport, Limerick, Belfast, Dingle, Cork would all be easy enough to get into. if the goal is to run a marathon then any will suffice. Keep an ear out for a Dublin entry of you want to experience a big marathon day. Belfast is big enough but doesn't have the crowds like Dublin has.

Limerick is in a months time and you could still get an entry afaik (although not the best route unfortunately)

taxAHcruel

I quiet enjoyed the Frankfurt Marathon. And it's one of the cheaper cities to get to. And does not seem to sell out.