5 worldwide races that will blow your mind!

Your marathon training’s going great but you’re fed up of the British rain, so why not sign up to one the 5 world races that will blow your mind?

The London Marathon might be one of the most famous in the world, but it’s not the be all and end all of marathon running. With holiday season on the horizon, why not book your getaway to coincide with one of these fantastic runs – all 26.2 miles or longer! They’re the perfect excuse to pack your bags and see the world!

1. The Great Wall Marathon, China
2016 date TBC
The 2015 run at the iconic Great Wall may have been and gone, but what better race to train for in 2016? Enjoy the picturesque views as you pound along one of the wonders of the world, then continue into the villages in the lower valley where locals and support teams cheer you on from the sidelines. Reported to have one of the most festive atmospheres of marathons worldwide, the Great Wall race takes a firm spot on our bucket list.

 2. The Wall, England
20 June 2015
OK, so we promised this list would get you out of the UK, but it would be wrong to miss this one off the list. One of Rat Race’s iconic ultra-marathons, the 69-mile race doesn’t seem half as gruelling when you’re travelling along the great Hadrian’s Wall, past an abundance of Roman forts and temples to keep you occupied. The run gives you a real sense of adventure, as it winds through the scenic Cumbrian countryside and Northumberland National Park, before finishing at the River Tyne for a well-earned rest. The best thing about The Wall is that it’s the only race we know of where the starting line is on a real-life drawbridge. Insane.

3. The Volcano Marathon, Chile
12 November 2015
Make sure you pack your bottled water for this one! The Volcano marathon has you running through the Chilean Atacama Desert – which, by the way, is the driest place in the world. No biggie. Start at Lascar, northern Chile’s most active volcano, and make your way across the Tropic of Capricorn as you cross dirt roads with the most stunning views of the best of South America’s volcanoes. Finish your run at the beautiful small village of Talabre, which has an altitude of 3,603m – and take a well-earned drink of water!

4. The Antarctic Ice Marathon, Antarctica
19 November 2015
This year the Antarctic Ice Marathon enters its 11^th year at 80 Degrees South, just a few hundred miles from the South Pole. It’s not for the faint of heart, and we wouldn’t advise entering into it lightly – but for experienced snow-goers and marathon runners, the Antarctic Ice race is truly an unforgettable experience. It presents the extra feats of snow, ice, an average windchill temperature of -20°C, and the strong Katabatic wind that’s bound to knock you off your feet. With an altitude of 700m to contend with as well, it’s certainly a marathon that requires a lot of training – but be sure to pack your camera as it’s going to be a good one.

5. The Grand to Grand Challenge, USA
20-26 September 2015
In true USA style, the Grand to Grand Challenge really takes things to a whole new level. The week-long run will have you covering approximately 108 miles of desert, forest, sand dunes and rock climbs at an altitude of 1,629m. Begin at the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and after the obligatory photos, start your journey through the canyons, hollows and valleys that most can only dream of seeing. Be sure to take lots of pictures along the way, as this is truly a unique experience you won’t want to forget. But if you’re too busy running, hiking and climbing your way to a (certain) PB, the finish line at the summit of the Pink Cliffs of the Grand Staircase looks back over the course for you to reminisce on your journey. Celebrate among the panoramic views of two-billion-year-old rock formations – there’s no other race on Earth quite like it.