Challenge Yourself: The 10 Most Epic Marathons Around the World

The Boston Marathon is one of the most prestigious and oldest annual marathons in the world, first held in 1897. As a result it is at the top of our list. Known for its challenging course and the infamous “Heartbreak Hill,” the Boston Marathon attracts elite runners and amateurs alike. To qualify, runners must meet strict time standards, making it a coveted race for many. Although it’s hard to qualify, many runners take on this challenge. As a result, qualifying time standards are getting harder and harder to meet. Consequently this is making the race more and more appealing to seasoned amateur runners.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The history, the challenging course, and the enthusiastic crowd support make the Boston Marathon a unique and unforgettable experience. The Boston Marathon is part of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) alongside the next five marathons in our list. Run them all and you will receive a special medal and join an exclusive club of marathon runners that have finished all majors.

Where: London, UK
When: April

The London Marathon is world famous for its scenic route. The course takes runners past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. The race draws participants from all over the world for its festive atmosphere, with thousands of spectators lining the streets to cheer on the runners.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The combination of a picturesque course, a world-class field of runners, and the vibrant atmosphere make the London Marathon a top choice for marathon enthusiasts.

Location: Berlin, Germany
When: September

The Berlin Marathon is famous for its flat and fast course. This makes it a popular choice for runners aiming to set personal bests or break world records. The race starts and finishes near the Brandenburg Gate, and the route takes runners through the heart of Berlin, showcasing the city’s rich history and culture. Berlin is a wonderful tourist destination, making this marathon a family vacation opportunity.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The potential for fast times, the historic landmarks, and the energetic crowd support make the Berlin Marathon a standout event.

Location: New York City, USA
When: November

The New York City Marathon is one of the largest and most popular marathons in the world. It has over 50,000 finishers each year. The race takes runners through all five boroughs of New York City. It is starting on Staten Island and finishing in the iconic Central Park. The diverse neighborhoods and enthusiastic spectators create an electric atmosphere.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The iconic course, the massive crowd support, and the opportunity to run through one of the world’s most famous cities make the New York City Marathon a bucket-list race.

Location: Chicago, USA
When: October

The Chicago Marathon is known for its flat and fast course, which winds through 29 neighborhoods of the Windy City. The race is well-organized, with excellent crowd support and a scenic route that showcases Chicago’s architecture and vibrant culture.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The potential for fast times, the diverse neighborhoods, and the enthusiastic spectators make the Chicago Marathon a top choice for runners. The impressive 2023 world record of Kelvin Kiptim was set on this course. Furthermore, at the time of writing this article, the female world record is also set at the Chicago Marathon in 2024. Therefore it is be a fast course.

Location: Tokyo, Japan
Month: March

The Tokyo Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors and offers a unique blend of modern and traditional Japanese culture. The course takes runners through the bustling streets of Tokyo, past landmarks such as the Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace. The race is known for its excellent organization and the warm hospitality of the Japanese people.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The combination of a well-organized race, a scenic course, and the opportunity to experience Japanese culture make the Tokyo Marathon a must-run event.

Location: Paris, France
When: April

The Paris Marathon is one of the most scenic marathons in the world, with a route that takes runners past iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. The race is known for its festive atmosphere, with live music and entertainment along the course.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The stunning scenery, the historic landmarks, and the vibrant atmosphere make the Paris Marathon a top choice for marathon enthusiasts.

Location: Athens, Greece
When: November

The Athens Marathon, also known as the Authentic Marathon, is a race steeped in history. The course follows the route of the original marathon run by Pheidippides in 490 BC, from the town of Marathon to Athens. The race finishes in the historic Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic Games.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The historical significance, the challenging course, and the opportunity to run in the footsteps of the original marathoner make the Athens Marathon a unique and memorable experience.

Location: Beijing, China
When: May

The Great Wall Marathon is one of the most challenging and unique marathons in the world. The course takes runners along the historic Great Wall of China, including steep ascents and descents, and thousands of steps. The breathtaking views and the sense of history make this marathon an unforgettable experience.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The combination of a challenging course, stunning scenery, and the opportunity to run on one of the world’s most iconic landmarks make the Great Wall Marathon a bucket-list race.

Location: California, USA
When: April

The Big Sur International Marathon is known for its breathtakingly beautiful course along the Pacific Coast Highway. The route offers stunning views of the rugged coastline, the Pacific Ocean, and the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge. The race is challenging, with rolling hills and strong coastal winds, but the scenery makes it all worthwhile.

Why It’s a Must-Run: The stunning natural beauty, the challenging course, and the unique experience of running along the Pacific Coast make the Big Sur International Marathon a bucket-list race.

Conclusion

Running a marathon is a significant achievement, and participating in these iconic races can make the experience even more memorable. Whether you’re looking to set a personal best, enjoy breathtaking scenery, or immerse yourself in the history and culture of a new city, these top 10 marathons offer something for every runner. So lace up your running shoes, start training, and add these incredible races to your bucket list.

Details about Top 10 Marathon Races:

Marathon	URL to Sign Up	Price
Boston Marathon	Boston Marathon	$205 (US residents), $255 (international)
London Marathon	London Marathon	£49 (UK residents), £99 (international)
Berlin Marathon	Berlin Marathon	€200
New York City Marathon	New York City Marathon	$255 (NYRR members), $295 (non-members), $358 (international)
Chicago Marathon	Chicago Marathon	$245 (US residents), $255 (international)
Tokyo Marathon	Tokyo Marathon	¥16,500 (Japan residents), $160 (overseas participants)
Paris Marathon	Paris Marathon	€125
Athens Marathon	Athens Marathon	€80
Big Sur International Marathon	Big Sur International Marathon	$295 (domestic), $329 (international)