Stirling Half Marathon is back. After an absence from the Scottish running calendar, the race will return on Sunday 16 May 2027 with a new partnership, a closed road course and priority entries now open.

The event is being delivered by Up and Running Events and London Marathon Events, bringing together Scottish race organisation and the team behind some of the UK's biggest mass participation events.

Runners who registered their interest have been given first access to entries, priced at £45, before the general release next week. The priority window is limited.

What awaits them in May is a 13.1 mile journey through one of Scotland's most historic cities. Organisers say the new course will take runners on closed roads through Stirling, with landmarks and landscapes forming an important part of the experience.

The return is particularly significant because Stirling has previously demonstrated its potential as a Half Marathon destination. Earlier editions brought thousands of runners to the city, with routes showcasing Stirling Castle and the surrounding countryside.

The precise 2027 route has yet to be revealed, leaving one of the biggest details still to come. The current entry information identifies King's Park as the event location, while organisers are promising a course through Stirling's historic streets.

The involvement of London Marathon Events also adds an intriguing new dimension. Alongside the TCS London Marathon, the organisation has extensive experience delivering major running and mass participation events, while Up and Running Events already operates races across Scotland.

For now, the biggest news is simply that Stirling has its Half Marathon again. On 16 May next year, runners will return to the city for 13.1 miles on closed roads and the beginning of a new chapter for an event many Scottish runners will remember.

Entries will be available via the runABC race hub here.

Image by jacqueline macou from Pixabay