Industry insights
How UK marathon weekends can boost your holiday let income
3 Feb 2026
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By Amanda Sanders
Major UK marathons attract tens of thousands of runners every year, along with friends, family and support crews. For holiday let owners, these events create predictable spikes in demand that present a clear opportunity to increase earnings, especially when pricing and presentation are handled correctly. From London and Manchester to Edinburgh and Brighton, marathon weekends consistently deliver higher occupancy and stronger nightly rates. This guide explains how hosts can take advantage of marathon demand through smart pricing and simple property tweaks that appeal directly to runners.
Why marathons drive strong booking demand
Large running events generate significant short-term accommodation demand. The TCS London Marathon alone attracts more than 50,000 runners each year, with many travelling from outside the capital and staying multiple nights to allow for race-day logistics and recovery.
Source: London Marathon Events
Unlike leisure travellers, runners often book early, stay longer and prioritise location, comfort and convenience over luxury extras. This makes marathon weekends particularly valuable for well-positioned holiday lets.
UK marathon calendar: Key dates hosts should plan for
Major marathon events are announced well in advance, giving holiday let owners a valuable opportunity to prepare pricing, availability and marketing early.
City | Marathon event | Typical date | Why it matters for hosts |
London | TCS London Marathon | April | One of the world’s largest marathons, attracting 50,000+ runners and supporters. High demand across central and Greater London. |
Manchester | Manchester Marathon | April | Fast, flat course with strong international participation. Demand spreads across Manchester and surrounding areas. |
Brighton | Brighton Marathon | April | Popular coastal event with limited hotel supply, increasing demand for holiday lets. |
Edinburgh | Edinburgh Marathon | May | Destination marathon with many runners staying multiple nights. Demand extends into nearby towns. |
York | York Marathon | October | Autumn event with strong domestic participation and city-centre accommodation pressure. |
Loch Ness | Loch Ness Marathon | September | Destination race drawing international runners who often book well in advance. |
Cardiff | Cardiff Half Marathon | October | One of the UK’s largest road races, creating intense short-term accommodation demand. |
Dates may vary slightly each year. Hosts should always confirm official race calendars.
Source: RunThrough UK
How to adjust pricing for marathon weekends
Increase rates strategically
Marathon demand often supports higher nightly rates, but runners remain price conscious. The goal is to maximise revenue without deterring bookings.
Best practice includes:
Increasing rates once marathon dates are confirmed
Setting minimum stays of two or three nights
Monitoring comparable properties in your area
Travelnest’s Smart Pricing tools help hosts adjust rates dynamically based on demand signals and local booking trends, allowing you to stay competitive while increasing returns.
Open availability early
Many runners book accommodation months in advance to secure a convenient location. Opening your calendar early improves visibility and booking confidence.
With Travelnest, availability is synced automatically across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and other channels, ensuring early demand is captured wherever guests search.
Making your property attractive to runners
Pricing alone is not enough. Small presentation changes can significantly increase appeal.
Highlight runner-friendly features
Runners typically look for:
Comfortable beds and blackout curtains
Reliable hot water and good shower pressure
Quiet surroundings for pre-race rest
Space to stretch or prepare kit
Including these details in your listing helps your property stand out during event searches.
Emphasise location and transport links
Clear information about transport and accessibility builds confidence:
Walking distance to start or finish lines
Proximity to train, tube or tram stations
Early morning transport options on race day
Add simple extras that make a difference
Low-cost touches that runners appreciate include:
Flexible early check-in or late checkout where possible
Secure space for trainers or kit drying
Recommendations for nearby cafés and supermarkets
These details often translate into better reviews and repeat bookings.
Marketing marathon stays without limiting future demand
Rather than rewriting your entire listing, subtle messaging works best:
Reference suitability for event weekends
Highlight quiet locations and transport links
Add a short note about marathon demand during key dates
Travelnest’s listing optimisation service helps ensure your messaging appeals to runners during event periods without narrowing your audience for leisure stays throughout the rest of the year.
How Travelnest helps hosts maximise marathon demand
Travelnest supports hosts during high-demand event weekends by providing:
Smart Pricing recommendations based on real-time demand
Multi-channel distribution across major booking platforms
Centralised calendar management to prevent double bookings
Expert guidance on pricing and minimum stay strategies
Our property experts can also help identify which local events are most valuable for your location and how far in advance to prepare.
Final thoughts
Marathon weekends offer one of the most reliable short-term income opportunities for UK holiday let owners. With predictable dates, motivated guests and longer stays, they reward hosts who plan ahead.
By combining smart pricing, early availability and runner-friendly presentation, you can boost occupancy, increase nightly rates and generate stronger reviews during key event periods.
Travelnest makes it easy to capture this demand, helping you manage pricing, bookings and visibility from one place.
Get in touch with our team or log in to your Travelnest dashboard to start preparing your property for upcoming marathon weekends.
