MORE than 30,000 runners took part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival over the weekend, with today's half and full marathon bathed in sunshine as the entrants spent their final miles in East Lothian.

The half marathon took the runners on a 13.1-mile course from the centre of Edinburgh to Prestongrange Museum, between Prestonpans and Musselburgh, before looping back to the finish line at Pinkie playing fields.

The main race - taking in some fantastic East Lothian scenery along the coast road - traversed the Honest Toun, Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton, and close to Longniddry before heading back to the Musselburgh finish line.

Large crowds watched the sweat-drenched athletes pass through East Lothian - and although there were extensive road closures, there were no reports of any major problems.

In the elite fields, Kenyan Boaz Kiprono took a decisive victory in the men’s marathon race, breaking clear in the last mile to blow away the opposition in a winning time of 2 hours, 19 minutes and 55 seconds.

Moroccan runner Abdelhadi El Mouaziz took a crowd-pleasing second place in 2 hours, 20 minutes and 14 seconds, followed closely by crowd favourite and star of ‘Running with the Kenyans', Japhet Koech, with a time of 2 hours 22 minutes and 15 seconds.

Afterwards, Kiprono said: "I was well prepared today so I was hoping to run and win. The weather today was a bit cold for me, but the course was flat and good. I hope to come back to defend my title next year.”

The women’s race was dominated by Kenyan Eddah Jepkosgei. she led from the gun to a four minute victory in 2 hours, 39 minutes and 53 seconds. 

The podium at the finish line at Pinkie Playing Fields, Musselburgh,  was completed by Hailey Haining, Kilbarchan AAC in 2 hours, 43 minutes and 3 seconds, and Katie White, Garscube Harriers in 2 hours, 47 minutes and 40 seconds.

Afterwards, Jepkosgei said: "The weather was good today, I enjoyed it. I’d love to come back next year and defend my title and better my time.”

There was a thrilling race at the front of Sunday morning’s half marathon as Darrell Hastie of Gala Harriers stormed to victory in the last mile with a winning time of 1 hour, 10 mins and 38 seconds.

Sunderland Harriers' Andrew Powell took second place with a time of 1 hour, 10 mins and 48 second, and Spain’s Francisco Urbano Sales finished in third with a time of 1 hour, 10 mins and 54 seconds.

It was a cat and mouse race with Sunderland-based Powell pushing the pace in the latter half, but Hastie had the critical finishing kick.

33 year old Hastie said: "It was really good, it’s a beautiful course, the weather was fantastic - perfect conditions for running in with next to no wind.

“I was sitting in 5th place when a group broke away early on. I thought one or two of them might drop off. At about 10 miles the front two had gotten away and fourth and fifth started to drop off. I managed to work hard and catch them." 

“When I got them I thought I might have a chance of sneaking third place, I was feeling quite good. Then I thought if I really start to work hard, I might have a squeak! With two miles to go at the turn, I thought I’ve got nothing to lose and I’ll have a crack at it and see if I can get them, and I managed to reel them in! Really pleased.”

Northumberland’s Tracy Millmore was the winner in the women’s race which she led from start to finish. The Birtley AC runner was pleased to have topped the podium in her first ever outing at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

The 33 year old said: "It was really good, the weather was great, conditions were perfect and it was a great run, I enjoyed it.”

“I lead all the way from the start. I just wanted to see how I felt and go as hard as I could. I’m thinking about running the marathon next year so will hopefully be back!”

Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival director, said: "2016 has been another incredible year for Edinburgh Marathon Festival with record-breaking performances, tens of thousands of participants and millions raised for good causes.

“We are proud to host a truly world-class running event for people of all ages and abilities from across the globe. Congratulations to everyone who took part. Thanks for making the 2016 Edinburgh Marathon Festival one of the UK’s greatest mass participation events. Come and see us again next year!”    

More than 1,500 runners from the Edinburgh Marathon Festival official charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, took part and together with hundreds of other charities, are hoping to raise more than £4.5 million.

Entries for the 2017 Edinburgh Marathon Festival which takes place on Bank Holiday Weekend on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May 2017 are open with an early bird discount for everyone who registers before 12th June atwww.edinburghmarathon.com