First come first served marathon

More than 13,000 runners took part in the last Edinburgh Marathon

Places for runners in next year's Edinburgh Marathon will not be selected by ballot instead it will be open on a first-come-first-served basis.

Entries for the 2009 Albert Bartlett Edinburgh Marathon have opened and will be capped at 11,500.

The 2008 marathon saw an increase from 5,450 entries in 2007 to 10,230 entries in 2008, an 85% rise.

The "expo", which required runners to sign in the day before the race, will not apply for next year's event.

This is an attempt to attract runners from outside the city.

In previous years, runners from the west coast had to travel to Edinburgh, where runners are signed in for the race, on the Friday or Saturday and then travel back to Edinburgh again for the race on Sunday morning.

All running numbers and timing chips will be posted out allowing west coast runners just to travel to Edinburgh on race morning.

Geoff Sims, chief executive of the marathon said: "The Edinburgh Marathon was rated the fastest marathon in Britain in the May edition of Runners World Magazine and was also rated the best running event of any distance in Scotland in the February edition of Runner's World Magazine. We are seeing a major buzz about the event.

"The Albert Bartlett Edinburgh Marathon is a must for any runner looking for a quick time or any runner looking for a great race."

The 2009 course will follow the same route as the 2008 marathon with the start remaining on Regent Road.