Everything you need to know about taking part in the Alloa Half Marathon.
The Alloa Half Marathon is one of Scotland’s longest-running half marathons. Organised by Alloa Round Table, the event takes runners on a 13.1-mile road course through Clackmannanshire, with the Ochil Hills providing the backdrop.
Importantly, the race is organised as a fundraising event, with proceeds helping Alloa Round Table support local charities, community groups and good causes throughout Clackmannanshire.
The 43rd Alloa Half Marathon will take place on 21st March 2027.
The race starts at 9:00am.
Full race-day timings, including registration and transport information, will be confirmed in the final race instructions.
The race starts and finishes at:
Lornshill Academy
Tullibody Road
Alloa
FK10 2ES
The race village, registration, baggage facilities, toilets and other runner facilities are located at Lornshill Academy.
The Alloa Half Marathon is the official half marathon distance of:
13.1 miles / 21.1 kilometres
The course is measured and certified by an accredited course measurer.
The Alloa course is well known for being relatively fast, with long, flat sections running beneath the Ochil Hills.
Starting from Lornshill Academy, the route takes runners through Sauchie, Fishcross, Tillicoultry, Alva, Menstrie and Tullibody before returning to Lornshill.
There are some undulating sections – and experienced Alloa runners will know all about the climb around mile 11!
Don’t let that put you off. Once you’ve conquered it, you’re on the home stretch towards Alloa and the finish.
It certainly can be.
The long, relatively flat sections of the course have produced some very quick performances over the years.
The current course records are:
Just remember to save something for that mile-11 climb!
Yes.
Runners should be capable of completing the half marathon within 3 hours.
Road closures are progressively removed as the race passes through the course, so runners outside the event time limit may be required to continue using pavements and obey normal road rules.
The Alloa Half Marathon is one of the biggest participation events in the area.
Around 2,700 runners took part in the 2026 event, supported by volunteers and spectators from across Clackmannanshire and beyond.
Early Bird Entry
Available from 1 September 2026 until 31 December 2026
The booking fee includes postage and packaging of your race number.
General Entry
From 1 January 2027
Your entry includes your place in the Alloa Half Marathon, chip timing, race number, on-course support and water stations, medical provision and a finisher’s medal and T-shirt for runners completing the race.
And, unlike many commercial races, your entry also helps support the local community. The Alloa Half Marathon is organised by Alloa Round Table as a fundraising event, with proceeds distributed to good causes.
You must be at least 17 years old on race day to take part in the Alloa Half Marathon.
Your age on race day determines your race category.
Race categories are:
Your age on race day will determine your category.
Once the race reaches its maximum capacity, general entries will close.
The Alloa Half Marathon attracts thousands of runners, so we recommend entering early if you know you want to take part.
Entries are non-refundable and non-deferrable.
Please check the terms and conditions when entering for the latest rules regarding cancellations, transfers and deferrals.
Remember that Alloa Half Marathon is a fundraising event rather than a commercial race, with proceeds supporting charitable and community causes.
Please do not simply give your race number to another runner.
Race numbers are linked to the registered runner’s personal and emergency information, and running under someone else’s number can create serious problems in a medical emergency.
Any permitted transfer process and deadline will be communicated by the race organisers.
The best way to get to the race is by train into Alloa station – you can then catch the free dedicated Alloa Half Marathon shuttle buses from Alloa bus station to the start/finish.
If you’re driving, you can park in one of the town centre car parks and use the same free shuttle buses.
If cycling, there are adequate bike stands for securing your bike.
There will be a drop-off point at the start/finish for coaches and cars, however there is no parking.
There is no runner parking at Lornshill Academy or in the immediate surrounding streets.
Please do not attempt to park around the school. Road closures associated with the race may prevent you from accessing your vehicle until later in the day.
Runners travelling by car should use designated parking in Alloa town centre.
Shuttle buses operate between Alloa town centre and Lornshill Academy before the race and return runners after the event.
Full parking and shuttle-bus arrangements will be published before race day.
Yes.
A designated drop-off area operates at Lornshill Academy on race morning.
It gets extremely busy, so please arrive early.
The drop-off area normally closes before the race start to allow the site and surrounding roads to be prepared for the event.
Yes.
Lornshill Academy is approximately 1.5 miles from Alloa town centre, and there are walking routes from Alloa, Sauchie and Tullibody.
Some runners use the walk or easy jog from town as their race warm-up.
Yes. Bike stands are available at Lornshill Academy.
Yes. Toilet facilities are available at the race venue.
With thousands of runners attending, queues are inevitable immediately before the race, so we strongly recommend arriving early.
Yes.
Baggage storage is available at Lornshill Academy.
Please don’t leave valuables in your bag. Baggage is stored at the runner’s own risk and the organisers cannot accept responsibility for lost, damaged or stolen items.
Race packs and numbers are normally posted to runners shortly before race day.
The entry fee includes postage and packaging of your race number.
Information regarding the final posting date and arrangements for late entries will be published closer to race day.
Race-day collection is normally available for runners who enter after the final race-number postage deadline.
Full details will be included in the final race instructions.
If your number has already been posted, please bring it with you on race day.
Yes.
All runners receive both a personal/chip time and a race/gun time.
Your personal time measures the time between you crossing the start line and crossing the finish line.
Official race positions and prizes are determined by gun time in accordance with race rules.
Yes.
Water stations are positioned around the course, with water also available around the start/finish area.
The exact locations will be shown in the final race information.
Yes. The course has mile markers throughout to help you monitor your pace.
We aim to provide pacers across a range of popular finishing times.
Final pacing groups for the 2027 race will be announced closer to race day.
Traffic management and road closures are put in place around the course to allow the race to operate safely.
Closures are progressively introduced and removed as runners move around the course.
Please follow the instructions of race marshals and event staff at all times.
We strongly discourage runners from using conventional headphones.
Parts of the course may involve roads that are not completely closed to traffic, and runners need to be able to hear instructions from marshals, emergency services and other event personnel.
Bone-conduction headphones may be permitted subject to the race rules in place for the event.
Yes.
Professional first-aid and medical provision is available at the event and around the course.
If you feel unwell during the race, stop and notify the nearest marshal or member of the medical team.
If you see another runner in serious difficulty, please alert a marshal immediately.
Yes.
All finishers receive an Alloa Half Marathon finisher’s medal.
Yes. Finishers receive an Alloa Half Marathon T-shirt.
Yes.
The Alloa Half Marathon has traditionally offered prize money for the leading male and female finishers as well as an additional award for breaking the course record.
Full 2027 prize categories and values will be confirmed before race day.
Provisional race results are normally available shortly after the event.
A link to the official results will also be published on the Alloa Half Marathon website and social media channels.
Yes. Photographers will be positioned around the event and course.
Race photographs will be shared following the event, including through the Alloa Half Marathon’s social media channels.
Absolutely.
Spectators are welcome to support runners around the course and at the finish.
Please remember that road closures and traffic restrictions will be operating throughout Clackmannanshire, so plan where you intend to watch the race in advance.
Please always follow instructions from race marshals and never enter the live race route.
Yes – and we’d love to hear from you.
Events of this size simply couldn’t happen without volunteers.
The Alloa Half Marathon relies on a large team of volunteers helping with marshalling, the race village, runner support and other roles throughout the weekend.
The race is organised by Alloa Round Table, supported by volunteers, local organisations, emergency services, sponsors and partners.
The event is run as a major fundraiser for the community rather than as a commercial race.
Proceeds from the Alloa Half Marathon help Alloa Round Table support charities, community organisations, sports clubs, schools, individuals and other good causes.
Since the race began in 1984, more than £1 million has been raised for good causes.
By entering the Alloa Half Marathon, you’re not just entering a race – you’re helping us continue supporting the local community.
For general race enquiries, please contact:
For questions specifically relating to your race entry or registration, please use the contact details provided by our race-entry provider.
We’ll also publish important race-day updates on the Alloa Half Marathon website and social media channels as the event approaches.
