Marathons
Destination marathons from the UK
A destination marathon is a weekend, not just a Sunday. 18 marathons in 14 countries: World Marathon Majors, flat city courses, and a few you travel for the place. Each race page has an indicative cost from the UK, where to stay, and how to get to the start.
18 races · 14 countries · 42.2 km (26.2 miles) · indicative weekends from £380
The Majors
The biggest start lines on earth. The marathon trips people plan years ahead.
Berlin, Germany Berlin Marathon
The flattest, fastest big-city course on earth and a world-record factory.
Boston, United States Boston Marathon
The oldest annual marathon: Hopkinton to Boylston on Patriots’ Day Monday.
Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town Marathon
Africa’s first World Marathon Major: Table Mountain backdrop, Sea Point finish stretch.
Chicago, United States Chicago Marathon
Flat, fast and loud: Grant Park start and finish through 29 neighbourhoods.
London, United Kingdom London Marathon
The world's biggest, loudest marathon down the Thames to Buckingham Palace.
New York City, United States New York City Marathon
Five boroughs, two million spectators and a finish in Central Park.
Sydney, Australia Sydney Marathon
The Australian World Major, over the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House.
Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Marathon
Impeccably organised, wildly enthusiastic and gloriously flat through neon Tokyo.
City marathons
Fast or friendly city courses that still feel like a proper destination weekend.
Amsterdam, Netherlands Amsterdam Marathon
A flat, fast canal-and-river loop that starts and finishes in the Olympic Stadium.
Athens, Greece Athens Marathon
Run the original marathon route into the ancient Panathenaic Stadium.
Naples, Italy Naples Marathon
A flat UNESCO-centre marathon past Castel dell’Ovo and the Naples waterfront.
Paris, France Paris Marathon
Paris Marathon 2027: the Champs-Elysees to Avenue Foch on a spring morning.
Porto, Portugal Porto Marathon
Douro-and-Atlantic views, with port tastings at the finish.
Seville, Spain Seville Marathon
Europe’s flattest big-city marathon, in winter sun.
Valencia, Spain Valencia Marathon
Europe’s flagship PB marathon: pancake-flat, sea level, cool December.
Bucket-list marathons
You travel for the course as much as the time on the clock.
Tianjin, China Great Wall Marathon
5,164 stone steps along the Great Wall of China itself.
Pauillac, France Marathon du Médoc
Fancy dress, oysters and 20-plus wine stops through Bordeaux vineyards.
Tromso, Norway Tromso Midnight Sun Marathon
Race at midnight under the Arctic sun, 350km north of the Circle.
Planning a marathon trip
- How far is a marathon?
- A marathon is 42.2 km (26.2 miles).
- What does a destination marathon weekend cost from the UK?
- Indicative one-runner totals in this catalog run from £380 to £1,715 (entry, UK flights where needed, and hotel). Activities and extra nights change that. Open a race page for a breakdown.
- Which World Marathon Majors are in the catalog?
- Right now: Berlin Marathon, Boston Marathon, Cape Town Marathon, Chicago Marathon, London Marathon, New York City Marathon, Sydney Marathon, and Tokyo Marathon. Each has a trip-cost page with where to stay and getting to the start.
- Where is the Majors hub?
- The Majors hub lists all eight World Marathon Majors with trip pages: Tokyo, Boston, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York.
- When in the year are these marathons?
- Across the catalog they fall in February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, and December. Check the race page for the next edition date.
- How do I pick a marathon trip?
- Majors sell out years ahead; city marathons are easier to enter and often faster. Use Find my race to filter by travel reach and course, then open a race page for cost and logistics.
Other race trips
Same catalog, different distance. Or skip the list and get a shortlist.