Taking place on Sunday, May 3, the race has a new starting point at Dock Gate 8 and a slightly altered route compared to previous years.
Here’s all you need to know about the event, including race start times, the route map and when the Spitfire flypast will be taking place.
What are the race start times at the 2026 Southampton Marathon?
In a change compared to previous marathons, all the distances will start at the same time.
This includes the full marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k runs.
Additionally, there will be a fun run later in the day that starts at 3.30pm.
What is the Southampton Marathon route map?
The full marathon route starts at Dock 8 and makes its way past Mayflower Park, the Red Funnel ferry terminals and Queens Park.
From there, runners will go up Terminus Terrace and then start heading towards Itchen Bridge.
The route continues through Woolston, going along the shoreline, including an extended section along Weston Parade.
Runners will then loop back through Woolston and return to the bridge for the second crossing.
The event website adds: “Onto the iconic sports section of the route, runners are navigated pitch-side of St Mary’s Stadium, home of Southampton FC Saints—a fantastic moment for local sport enthusiasts.
“From there, runners cross Northam Bridge toward Bitterne Triangle, a popular race-day highlight.”
The route then rejoins the waterfront through Riverside Park, following the River Itchen further inland and then heading along Burgess Road.
Runners will then pass the University of Southampton and University Road, before easing into a downhill stretch through the wide open green space of Southampton Common and back towards the city centre.
After going along London Road, full marathon runners will peel left before Above Bar Street, where the half marathon participants will finish.
The full marathon route goes past plenty of points of interest in the city (Image: Southampton Marathon Festival/OS Maps)
The route carries on through East Park, Palmerston Park, and Houndwell Park, down the High Street and then past Bargate before going through Queens Park.
After that, the route will mainly repeat what has come before, aside from a reduced out-and-back section along Weston Parade.
An interactive map of the route can be found on OS Maps here.
What road closures will be in place for the Southampton Marathon?
Several roads in the city will be closed in the morning and early afternoon to accommodate the marathon route:
Above Bar Street (closed between 6am on Saturday and 8pm on Sunday)
Albert Road North (8am to 2pm)
Archers Road exit onto The Avenue (9am to 3.30pm)
Banister Road exit onto The Avenue (9am to 3.30pm)
Bellevue Road (8am to 4pm)
Brighton Road exit onto The Avenue (9am to 3.30pm)
Briton Street (9.30am to 1pm)
Brunswich Place (8am to 4pm)
Burgess Road (closed westbound between 8am and 3pm)
Castle Way (9.30am to 1pm)
Church Lane (8am to 3pm)
East Park Terrace (8.30am to 12pm)
Hanover Buildings (9.30am to 1pm)
Heatherdeane Road (8am to 3pm)
High Street (9.30am to 1pm)
Highfield Lane (8am to 3pm)
Itchen Bridge (closed between 8am and 2pm)
John Thornycroft Road (8am to 2pm)
Jurds Lake Way (8am to 2pm)
Khartoum Road (8am to 3pm)
Kings Park Road (8am to 4pm)
Langdon Road (8am to 3pm)
London Road (8am to 4pm)
Macnaghten Road (8am to 3pm)
Marine Parade (closed northbound 8am to 2pm)
Melbourne Street (8.30am to 11am)
New Road (8.30am to 12pm)
Northam Road (8am to 2.30pm)
Northlands Road exit onto The Avenue (9am to 3.30pm)
Orchard Place (9.30am to 1pm)
Oswald Road (8am to 2pm)
Palmerston Road (8.30am to 12pm)
Platform Road (8.55am to 9.30am)
Pound Tree Road (8.30am to 1pm)
Rockstone Place exit onto The Avenue (9am to 3.30pm)
St Mary’s Street (8.30am to 11am)
Terminus Terrace (8am to 1pm)
University Road (8am to 3pm)
Victoria Road (8am to 2pm)
Vincents Walk (8.30am to 1pm)
Vosper Road (8am to 2pm)
Weston Parade (8am to 2pm)
Whitworth Crescent (8am to 3pm)
Whitworth Road (8am to 3pm)
Woodmill Lane (8am to 3pm)
More information about road closures and access to the docks on the day can be found on the event website here.
What time should runners arrive for the 2026 Southampton Marathon?
Organisers recommend that runners get to the site at least 90 minutes before their race starts.
Additionally, it is advised to have an extra 30 minutes in your normal journey time to the site due to road closures.
They’ve shared that there will be queues for parking and toilets, so it is best to be prepared.
Organisers add: “Once the last runner from the timing pens crosses the start line, that is it, as we have to get the roads re-opened quickly.”
When will the Southampton Marathon Spitfire flypast take place?
Before the races get underway, a Spitfire flypast will take place at 8.30am, which will last around eight minutes.
Neil Parkinson, chief pilot at the Spitfire Academy, said the audience can expect a lot from the aircraft display, including looping and rolling, low passes and aerobatics.
Will you be taking part in the Southampton Marathon this year? Let us know in the comments.