Five days. 975 kilometres. Two teams. One unforgettable challenge.

Race the Capitals is the UK’s ultimate relay. Team North and Team South battle it out across stunning countryside, iconic cities and historic capitals.

Choose your distance. Pick your team. Join the race.

Check out the full route and every leg below!

We kick things off in Edinburgh, before heading south through the breathtaking Scottish countryside. The opening stages are hilly but stunning - some of the most scenic half marathons you’ll find anywhere in the UK.

Transport back to Edinburgh for the first three legs is available via car and train. Between Galashiels and Carlisle a car will be required to transport to the legs

As night falls, the relay pushes on through the Lake District and into Lancashire by morning.

We set off early from Lancaster, with the route winding through Lancashire and Cheshire. Along the way we pass through Preston, Wigan, Warrington and a string of picturesque Cheshire villages, before reaching Tarporley.

All legs are accessible via train.

Here, the relay pauses for our halfway party - where runners, supporters and the community come together to celebrate hitting this huge milestone.

At the halfway mark, North v South takes over Tarporley for a night of celebration. The village comes alive with music, food and drinks, as runners, supporters and locals gather to mark the milestone together.

Come along and join the celebrations!

We kick off bright and early in Tarporley, shaking off the halfway celebrations as the route heads through Shropshire and Herefordshire, finishing in Hereford before the night runners take over. Expect plenty of rolling green countryside along the way.

Transport via train and organiser pick up can be arranged for all legs.

Overnight, the relay pushes on towards Cardiff, before turning back and reaching Bristol by morning. 

Saturday’s stage takes us from the Welsh border to Newbury. The route passes around Bristol and Bath, then cuts across the beautiful North Wessex Downs before heading towards Newbury.

There are plenty of train stations along the way - making it easy to join for your leg and hop on a train home afterwards.

Sunday brings us a Race Down the River. We kick off at Windsor Castle. We then have 4 10ks down the Thames Path for all abilities before a final half run by the four time half marathon runners.

It is party day. Starting in Kew we have the North v South Boat Party following the runners down the Thames. This ports at Westminster as we head to Finish Line Festival to party long into the night!

After 975 kilometres and five unforgettable days on the road, the relay comes together in London for the Finish Line Festival. It’s the moment the batons are handed in, the miles are complete, and both North and South celebrate side by side.

The festival is a chance to welcome every runner home - with music, food, drinks and a buzzing atmosphere to mark the end of the journey. Friends, family and supporters gather to cheer the final miles and share in the achievement.

The Finish Line Festival is the culmination of the Race the Capitals experience, where every step and every story comes together in one big celebration.