ABP Southampton Marathon Festival

The ABP Southampton Marathon Festival returns to Dock Gate 8, City Cruise Terminal on Saturday 7 November, with the ABP Southampton Marathon as its main event. It's one of the South Coast's biggest running days, usually drawing more than 10,000 people to the start line.

There's a bit of history behind this one. The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025, and it's now set to keep running through to 2030 under a renewed five-year sponsorship between Associated British Ports and ReesLeisure. If you've done it before, you'll know the race morning tradition: a Spitfire flypast over the start line. Every finisher gets a medal that forms part of the five-year Penta Marathon Series, which culminates in the Hampshire Rose by 2030.

It's also a big day for local charity. Southampton Hospitals Charity is the lead local partner, and plenty of runners use the event to raise money for causes like Macmillan Cancer Support, MND, and mental health. If you're thinking of signing up, that's a good place to start if you've got a particular cause in mind.

All the details are at southamptonmarathon.co.uk, and the start is at Dock Gate 8, City Cruise Terminal on 7 November.