Runners take part in Edinburgh Marathon Festival

Almost 30,000 runners have been taking part in the two-day marathon festival

More than 27,000 runners have been taking part in the biggest ever Edinburgh Marathon Festival.

Three new events on Saturday, including a 5k, 10k and a junior race in Holyrood Park, kicked off the weekend event.

The Edinburgh Marathon, which started in Regent Road, got under way on Sunday, as well as a Hairy Haggis team relay and a half marathon.

The marathon was launched in 2003 and is now the second largest in the UK after London.

Earlier, race director Neil Kilgour said: "The running festival weekend will provide something for everyone with new races added and nearly all of those events sold out.

"Our marathon route is now fully IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) compliant and is one of the fastest marathon routes in the world and a great opportunity for those aiming for a personal best, whether that is for Olympic qualification, running a club record or the maximum return for runners training for what might be their only marathon.

"The popularity of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival continues to build year on year and it is great to provide all of our competitors with the opportunity to be part of a marathon experience."