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THE MILESOPEDIA COLLECTION

World Marathons

10 marathons across 5 continents. Find your next starting line.

Find your next experience

LET THE CALENDAR INSPIRE YOU

When will you go?

A month. A season. Somewhere new.

10 marathons

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Destination

The experiences

  • Tokyo · Japan

Tokyo Marathon

Date
First Sunday of March
Established
2,007
Participants
38,000
  • Start at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
  • Pass by the Imperial Palace
  • Through Ginza and Asakusa
  • Boston · USA

Boston Marathon

Date
Third Monday of April (Patriots' Day)
Established
1,897
Participants
30,000
  • Start in Hopkinton
  • Heartbreak Hills between km 26-33
  • Descent toward Kenmore Square
  • London · United Kingdom

London Marathon

Date
Late April
Established
1,981
Participants
50,000
  • Start at Greenwich Park
  • Past the Cutty Sark
  • Across Tower Bridge
  • Paris · France

Paris Marathon

Date
First Sunday of April
Established
1,976
Participants
54,000
  • Start on the Champs-Elysees
  • Past Place de la Concorde and the Louvre
  • Through the Bois de Vincennes
  • Berlin · Germany

Berlin Marathon

Date
Last Sunday of September
Established
1,974
Participants
45,000
  • Past the Victory Column
  • Through the Tiergarten
  • Potsdamer Platz and Checkpoint Charlie
  • Sydney · Australia

Sydney Marathon

Date
Mid-September
Established
2,000
Participants
16,000
  • Crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
  • Opera House views
  • Course along beaches and the harbor
  • Chicago · USA

Chicago Marathon

Date
Second Sunday of October
Established
1,977
Participants
48,000
  • Start and finish at Grant Park
  • Through Lincoln Park and Chinatown
  • Skyline views along Lake Michigan
  • Cape Town · South Africa

Cape Town Marathon

Date
Mid-October
Established
2,014
Participants
12,000
  • Table Mountain views throughout
  • Atlantic coast running
  • Through the Constantia vineyards
  • New York · USA

New York City Marathon

Date
First Sunday of November
Established
1,970
Participants
53,000
  • Start on Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (Staten Island)
  • Through Brooklyn and Queens
  • Queensboro Bridge and First Avenue climb
  • Athens · Greece

Athens Marathon (The Authentic)

Date
Second Sunday of November
Established
1,972
Participants
20,000
  • Start in the town of Marathon
  • Legendary climb between km 10-31
  • Descent toward Athens with Acropolis views

Annual marathon calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

World Marathon Majors
Other marathons

A CLOSER LOOK

A little planning. A better experience.

The context and practical tips to plan your next trip.

Marathon Travel: Run the World's Greatest Races

The intersection of running and travel has created a booming "race-cation" culture, with millions of Americans traveling to run marathons and half-marathons each year. The six World Marathon Majors (New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo) represent the pinnacle of distance running, while destination races in places like Athens, Honolulu, and Big Sur offer uniquely scenic experiences. Smart points strategy makes race travel affordable and comfortable.

The World Marathon Majors

The New York City Marathon is the world's largest, with 50,000+ runners crossing the five boroughs. The Boston Marathon is the most prestigious, requiring qualifying times for most entrants. Chicago's flat course is ideal for personal bests. London, Berlin, and Tokyo round out the international Majors, each offering a distinct cultural experience alongside world-class race organization. Completing all six earns the coveted Six Star Medal.

Destination Races Worth the Journey

The Big Sur Marathon offers cliffside Pacific Coast views considered among the world's most scenic. The Honolulu Marathon requires no qualifying time and runs along Waikiki Beach. Athens' original marathon course traces the legendary route from Marathon to Athens. The Great Wall Marathon (China), the Midnight Sun Marathon (Norway), and the Kilimanjaro Marathon (Tanzania) combine running with unforgettable travel experiences.

Race Travel with Points

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x on travel and dining, covering race-trip flights, hotels, and pre/post-race meals. For the World Majors, transfer points to airlines like United, British Airways, or ANA for flights to London, Berlin, and Tokyo. Hotel points cover race-weekend stays: transfer to Hyatt for properties near start/finish lines in major cities. The Amex Platinum provides lounge access for comfortable travel before race day.

Marathon Travel Planning Tips

Register for major marathons 6-12 months in advance, as many sell out through lottery systems. Book hotels near the start line or along the course for easy race-morning logistics. Ship your running shoes and gear ahead using services to avoid airline baggage issues. Plan your pre-race meal at a restaurant you've tested before, and walk the last miles of the course the day before to familiarize yourself with the finish.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions About Marathon Travel

A few answers before you book.

How do I enter the New York City Marathon?

The NYC Marathon has several entry paths: the general lottery (apply in January, drawing in March), guaranteed entry through time qualifying, fundraising for official charity partners ($2,500-$5,000 minimum), or the 9+1 program (run 9 NYRR races + volunteer at 1). International runners can enter through official tour operators that include travel packages.

What credit card is best for marathon travel?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x on travel and dining, ideal for race trips. Its trip delay insurance protects against flight disruptions before race day. The Amex Platinum provides lounge access for pre-race travel comfort. Both cards have no foreign transaction fees for international marathon trips.

How much does it cost to run a World Marathon Major?

Entry fees range from $150 (Chicago) to $350+ (Tokyo). Total trip costs including travel, hotel (3-4 nights), and food typically run $1,000-$3,000 for domestic races and $2,500-$5,000 for international ones. Charity entries add $2,500-$5,000 in fundraising. Using points for flights and hotels can cut costs by 40-60%.

When should I book travel for a marathon?

Book flights and hotels as soon as you confirm your race entry, ideally 6-9 months before the race. Marathon weekends cause significant hotel price increases in host cities. Use refundable hotel bookings initially, then switch to points/award bookings when available. Arrive 2-3 days early to adjust to time zones and rest your legs.

What are the most scenic destination marathons?

The Big Sur Marathon (California coast), the Midnight Sun Marathon (Tromso, Norway), the Great Wall Marathon (China), and the Athens Marathon (Greece) are consistently rated among the world's most scenic. The Honolulu Marathon and the Maui Marathon offer tropical running along Hawaiian coastlines.

Can I run a marathon in a different country without qualifying?

Yes. Unlike the Boston Marathon, most international marathons do not require qualifying times. The London and Tokyo Marathons use a lottery system. Berlin and Chicago accept all registered runners. Many destination races (Athens, Honolulu, Big Sur) are open entry on a first-come, first-served basis.

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