Officially opening in 1583, the University of Edinburgh has produced many distinguished characters, from Nobel laureates and Olympic champions to space explorers and prime ministers.

It was also here that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired to create his notorious character, Sherlock Holmes and James Young Simpson pioneered anaesthetics through his discovery of the properties of chloroform.

Starting on Potterrow in the grounds of one of the oldest universities in the world, this incredible city centre start takes you through the very heart of Edinburgh.

As you pass Greyfriars Bobby on your left, you also take in the National Museum of Scotland on your right, before heading over the High Street and down The Mound.

You then run past the Scottish National Gallery and into Princes Street Gardens, with the iconic Edinburgh Castle as your backdrop.

The route then takes in the ‘Gothic Rocket’, otherwise known as the Scott Monument, as it meanders down the historic Royal Mile, heading towards and past the somewhat controversial Scottish Parliament building.

Here you can look up and take in the spectacular Arthurs Seat & Salisbury Crags, as well as the Palace of Holyrood, before departing the Royal Park and heading east towards the coast. As you reach Musselburgh, you’ll run past the oldest golf course in the world, where it’s documented that golf has been played as early as 1672 and then heading further eEast on the flat to Gosford House, an imposing neo-classical mansion which was one of the last great architectural commissions of the celebrated Scots architect, Robert Adam.

As you turn and head back along the coast, you’ll see the beautiful finish line ahead, one of the greatest sights for any marathon runner.

With a descent of almost 90 metres to near sea level, Jon Rowell completed his 26.2 mile marathon in 4:16.30 which was a personal best by 11 minutes.