Portobello Beach Race

Portobello Beach Race

The Portobello Beach Race takes place on 30 August 2026 and is licensed by Scottish Athletics. The course is run on the sand at low tide and is approximately 4 miles in length.

The race starts on the beach immediately below Towerbank Primary School, heads east along the shore to a marker at the pumping station at the Joppa end, then returns along the full length of the beach to a turnaround below the Cat and Dog Home with the finish back at the start. The route is timed around low tide; participants may need to climb over groynes or run around seaward ends and could get their feet wet.

Entry is limited to 350 runners. The online entry fee is £10 and entries are restricted to athletes aged 16 and over on race day. Race numbers are non-transferable and non-refundable and no one will be allowed to compete without a race number. On-the-day entries may be available if the limit has not been reached.

Prizes are awarded in Open male and female categories and in age-based veteran categories, with a limit of one prize per person. Proceeds from the event are donated to Towerbank Primary School to support equal access to extra-curricular activities and to other local good causes chosen by the club.

Registration is based at Powerleague Portobello, 10 Westbank Street, Edinburgh. Toilets are available at Powerleague and about 200 m west along the promenade. A safe bag-drop will be provided. Limited car parking is available at the public car park in Bridge Street and on nearby side streets; Portobello is also served by multiple Lothian bus routes and is a 20–25 minute walk from Brunstane train station. The finish area will offer water, snacks and a cake stand and there are cafes and restaurants on the promenade. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.