The world’s most popular marathons

Run the world by taking part in the world’s most popular marathons.

Fancy running a marathon, but have your sights set on something a little further afield than a race in the UK? There are so many incredible marathons taking place all over the world, each unique in their own special way. Some are more difficult than others, but running any of them would be a fantastic feat. So where will it be next, New York or the Great Wall of China? It’s up to you!

Hit the Big Apple

The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the entire world, and with good reason. The race has grown considerably since it first began 45 years ago, with only 55 runners taking part in the race in its first year. Now, with over 50,000 people taking part, you could join them to discover firsthand how fantastic the atmosphere really is. Running through all five of New York City’s boroughs, you’ll definitely feel like an honorary New Yorker by the time you reach the end.

The TCS New York City Marathon will be taking place on 5 November 2017.

For more information, visit tcsnycmarathon.org.

See the sights

Anyone can explore Rome by simply going on holiday and walking around, so why not take it a step further by running the Rome Marathon? You’ll have the chance to run alongside a number of extraordinary sights, including Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps and so much more. Plus, temperatures should be pleasant to run in with the race being held in the middle of spring.

The Rome Marathon will be taking place on 8 April 2018.

For more information, visit maratonadiroma.it.

Back to the beginning

The Athens Classic Marathon takes the marathon all the way back to where it first began, when soldier Pheidippides ran the distance of a modern marathon all the way from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. to announce that the Persians had been defeated. Now you can make your mark on history by following in his footsteps. The Athens Classic Marathon will take you on an amazing journey, leading you to the finish line situated at the Athens Olympic Stadium where the modern Olympic Games first began.

The Athens Classic Marathon will be taking place on 12 November 2017.

For more information, visit athensauthenticmarathon.gr.

Run through history

If you’re up for the challenge of a lifetime, then you should definitely consider taking on the immense task of running the Great Wall Marathon. Considered one of the toughest marathons in the world, running the Great Wall Marathon will be absolutely unforgettable as you experience what it’s like to set food on one of the most wondrous architectural phenomenons on the planet. When you commit to a race like this, it’s just as important to work on your mental strength as it is to train your fitness.

The Great Wall Marathon will be taking place on 19 May 2018.

For more information, visit great-wall-marathon.com.

Electric atmosphere

Tokyo is one of the most electric and buzzing cities in the entire world, so you should definitely count yourself lucky if you get the chance to join the thousands running the Tokyo Marathon next year. As one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the Tokyo Marathon is an esteemed race to be a part of. The race will lead you through Tokyo’s past, present and future, displaying the coalescence between history and modernity that make Tokyo the exciting city that it is today.

The Tokyo Marathon will be taking place on the 25 February 2018.

For more information, visit marathon.tokyo

Photo credit: TOKYO MARATHON FOUNDATION