Where to sprint in Edinburgh
Every athletics track and sprint training spot in and around the city: who can use them, how to book, and the best free places for hill sprints, grass work and sand running.
See the map Book a session From Edinburgh Sprint Coach, based at Meadowbank. Information checked October 2026.The short answer
Edinburgh has two full outdoor athletics tracks open to the public: Meadowbank Sports Centre, which also has a 60m indoor track and must be booked through Edinburgh Leisure, and Saughton Sports Complex, resurfaced in 2026, where you can just turn up. For free sprint training, use flat grass at The Meadows, Inverleith Park or Leith Links, slopes in Holyrood Park or on Blackford Hill, and the sand at Portobello.
Tracks in Edinburgh
Two full tracks and one sprint straight. All three are run by Edinburgh Leisure or the University of Edinburgh, so check their websites for the latest times and prices.
Meadowbank Sports Centre
Edinburgh's main athletics venue, rebuilt and reopened in 2022 on the site that hosted the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games. It has an eight-lane outdoor track with jumps and throws areas, and an indoor six-lane 60m track with a jumps space, so you can sprint all winter.
The track has to be booked in advance through Edinburgh Leisure, online or in their app. Track, indoor track and jumps sessions are included in Edinburgh Leisure's Full Fitness and Gym memberships, or you can pay as you go.
- Address139 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE
- Facilities8-lane outdoor track · 6-lane 60m indoor track · jumps and throws areas
- AccessBook online or in the Edinburgh Leisure app. Pay as you go from £4, or included in Full Fitness and Gym memberships
- Listed opening hoursMon–Fri 6am–10pm · Sat–Sun 7am–10pm
- Clubs hereEdinburgh AC, Edinburgh University AC
Saughton Sports Complex
West Edinburgh's athletics track, next to Saughton Park. The track was resurfaced in summer 2026, with field event facilities upgraded too, and local clubs moved back at the end of September.
You don't need to book: Edinburgh Leisure says casual track sessions aren't bookable in advance. Access can be limited when football is being played on the pitch inside the track, so it's worth phoning ahead.
Clubs moved back in late September 2026 after the resurfacing. Check with Edinburgh Leisure before your first visit.- AddressStevenson Drive, Edinburgh. Car park off Fords Road, next to Saughton Park
- AccessNo booking needed. Check availability on 0131 458 2212
- Listed opening hoursMon–Thu 3.30–10pm · Fri 4.30–10pm · Sat–Sun 9am–5pm
- Getting inClubs direct athletes to the side entrance next to the Tom Allison Stand
- Clubs hereCorstorphine AAC, Harmeny AC, Heriot-Watt University athletics
Peffermill Playing Fields
The University of Edinburgh's outdoor sports site in the south-east of the city. It isn't a full athletics track, but it has a synthetic sprint straight (the University lists it as 90–100 metres), alongside floodlit hockey and 3G pitches. It's where our Speed School runs from October to March.
The sprint track is booked by email through the University's sport bookings team. If you're not a student or member, contact them to ask about access.
- Address42 Peffermill Road, Edinburgh EH16 5LL
- FacilitiesSynthetic sprint straight · floodlit hockey and 3G pitches · grass pitches
- AccessBook through the University of Edinburgh sport bookings team
- Listed opening hoursMon–Fri 9am–10pm · Sat–Sun 9am–7pm
Not a track: Jack Kane Sports Centre, Oriam at Heriot-Watt and the Pleasance don't have athletics tracks. They're useful for pitches, sports halls and gyms, but not for sprinting on a track.
Every spot on one map
Tap a pin for details and directions.
Indoor sprinting
Scottish winters are long. These indoor tracks mean you can keep sprinting fast from October to March.
Meadowbank
A six-lane 60m indoor track with a jumps space. Book through Edinburgh Leisure, the same as the outdoor track.
Pitreavie Athletics Centre
A six-lane 60m indoor sprint track and indoor jumps, alongside an outdoor 400m track. Run by Fife Leisure.
Emirates Arena
A 200m six-lane indoor track plus a 137m sprint straight. Now also known as Glasgow International Arena.
Hills, parks and the beach
You don't need a track to get faster. Flat grass is great for acceleration work, hills build power, and sand makes every stride harder work.
The Meadows
One of the few big flat open spaces in central Edinburgh, and the summer home of our Speed School from April to September. The paths get busy with walkers and cyclists, and Bruntsfield Links golf is right next door, so pick your spot.
Inverleith Park
Big open grass areas, sports pitches and outdoor fitness equipment. A good spot for acceleration work on the north side of the city.
Leith Links
Large, mostly flat areas of grass bordered by trees. Ideal for 10–40m sprints and drills.
Holyrood Park
Free and open all year. The grassy slope above Dunsapie Loch suits hill sprints, and Queen's Drive is closed to vehicles during the day at weekends. The Radical Road below Salisbury Crags is closed because of rockfall risk, so don't use it.
Calton Hill: Jacob's Ladder
140 steps from Calton Road up to Regent Road. A tough step session, but the steps are awkwardly shaped, so keep it controlled and avoid it when wet.
Blackford Hill
Steep grassy slopes and lots of paths. Popular with runners for hill work, but the steepest slopes get slippery after rain.
Portobello beach
A two-mile promenade in front of a wide sandy beach. Short sand sprints and bounds build power and are gentler on the joints. Expect to be slower than on grass.
Braid Hills
Open hillside with great views, but much of it is a public golf course. Stick to the paths and watch for golfers.
Running a group? The City of Edinburgh Council encourages outdoor fitness instructors who charge for sessions in its parks to register with them, and Holyrood Park is managed by Historic Environment Scotland, which has its own rules for organised activities. Check before you start.
Outdoor tracks outside the city
Athletics Arena East Lothian
At Meadowmill Sports Centre, Tranent: a floodlit six-lane 400m track and an eight-lane 100m sprint track. Book by enquiry or on 01875 618997.
Xcite Craigswood, Livingston
A 400m running track with jumps and throws areas. Booking by phone on 01506 237940.
Pitreavie Athletics Centre
In Dunfermline: a floodlit six-lane 400m track plus a six-lane indoor 60m track. Some weekday evenings are for clubs only.
Grangemouth Stadium
Falkirk's athletics stadium and a regular venue for Scottish championships. Run by Grangemouth Community Sports Trust.
Athletics clubs with sprint groups
Clubs are the route into competition, and 1:1 coaching works brilliantly alongside club training. These clubs train at the tracks on this page.
How to use a track without annoying anyone
Every venue has its own rules, so check them when you book. These habits will see you right at almost any track.
- Run anti-clockwise unless the venue says otherwise.
- Shout "track!" early if you're coming up behind someone in your lane.
- Look both ways before crossing the track, and never stand chatting in a lane.
- Check the spike rule. Many tracks only allow short spikes, often 6mm.
- Keep one ear free or leave the headphones off, so you can hear other athletes.
- Put equipment back: hurdles, blocks and cones as you found them.
Where we coach
Our base is Meadowbank. Speed School runs at The Meadows from April to September and at Peffermill from October to March, and 1:1 sessions can be held at venues across the city.
At Meadowbank or a venue that suits you.
Maps and directions for all our coaching locations.
More guides
Sprinting in Edinburgh: common questions
Can I use the athletics track at Meadowbank?
Yes. Members of the public can use the outdoor track, the indoor 60m track and the jumps facilities by booking online or in the Edinburgh Leisure app. They're included in Edinburgh Leisure's Full Fitness and Gym memberships, or you can pay as you go from £4.
Is Saughton running track open?
Saughton track was resurfaced in summer 2026 and local clubs returned at the end of September 2026. You don't need to book, but access can be limited when football is on the infield, so phone Edinburgh Leisure on 0131 458 2212 to check.
Is there a free running track in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh's tracks are run by Edinburgh Leisure and charge pay-as-you-go or membership fees. For free sprint training, use flat grass at The Meadows, Inverleith Park or Leith Links, or the hills in Holyrood Park.
Is there an indoor running track in Edinburgh?
Yes. Meadowbank Sports Centre has a six-lane 60m indoor track with a jumps space, booked through Edinburgh Leisure. The nearest other indoor sprint tracks are at Pitreavie in Dunfermline and the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Where can I do hill sprints in Edinburgh?
Holyrood Park (the grassy slope above Dunsapie Loch is a popular choice), Blackford Hill and Calton Hill's Jacob's Ladder steps. The Radical Road in Holyrood Park is closed because of rockfall risk.
Can I wear spikes on the track?
Usually, but check the venue's rules. Many tracks only allow short spikes, often 6mm, to protect the surface.
Is there a track at Peffermill?
Peffermill Playing Fields has a synthetic sprint straight rather than a full track, booked through the University of Edinburgh's sport bookings team. Our Speed School runs there from October to March.
Which athletics club should I join in Edinburgh?
It depends on where you live and what you want. Edinburgh AC and Edinburgh University AC train at Meadowbank; Corstorphine AAC and Harmeny AC train at Saughton. Many of our athletes combine club training with 1:1 coaching.
Information checked in October 2026 from Edinburgh Leisure, the City of Edinburgh Council, the University of Edinburgh, Historic Environment Scotland, Fife Leisure, West Lothian Leisure, Enjoy Leisure, Glasgow Life and club websites. Opening times, prices and access change, so check with the venue before you go.
Got the venue? Now get the coaching
Book a 1:1 session at Meadowbank or a venue near you, and make every sprint count.
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