Marathon Mania
26.2 miles to go!
Running a marathon is an incredible accomplishment and a great reason to visit another destination. Over 800 marathons are held throughout the world each year, so I narrowed it down to 10 of the top ones to consider for their significance, location, and some just all around fun. So get your running shoes ready for global marathon mania!
Disney World
Disney World - January 7, 2024
What better place to start the year and run a marathon than the Most Magical Place on Earth?? The Disney World Marathon crosses all 4 main theme parks with characters along the way cheering runners on. There is also a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon the same weekend. The 2024 races are already sold out, so stay tuned for 2025 registrations opening in mid-April here. For ideas on where to stay and what else to do, check out the full Disney World Guide.
Tokyo
Tokyo - March 3, 2024
Tokyo is the first of the 6 Abbott World Marathon Majors that occurs each year, along with Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York, and the only one of 6 located in Asia. The Tokyo Marathon course is said to symbolize the past, present and future of Tokyo. Registration opens at the end of June for charities and August 1 for general here. Recommended places to stay, things to do and more in this massive city are covered in the Tokyo Guide.
Paris
Paris - April 7, 2024
Want to get better acclimated with one of the most visited cities in the world and its world-class sights? What better way than running 26.2 miles / 42.2 km through the City of Light & Love. The race starts & ends at the Arc de Triomphe and passes many famous sights. Registration opens a year in advance here and still had availability in early October. Check out the full Paris Guide for a short list of places to stay & things to do, plus more.
Boston
Photo Credit: Jimmy Woo from Unsplash
Boston - April 15, 2024
The Boston Marathon is considered to be the most prestigious and historic marathon in the world dating back to 1897 before the marathon had an established distance. The second of the six World Majors held each year with registration open for a short one week window in Mid-September here. The Boston Marathon is limited to 30,000 participants, of which just over 22,000 were accepted for qualifying times based on age & gender and the rest through an official charity partner raising at least $5,000 each.
London
London - April 21, 2024
The London Marathon takes place less than a week after Boston. The course crosses the Tower Bridge, runs along the Thames River, past Big Ben, and finishes near Buckingham Palace. The majority of the London Marathon spots (17,000) are randomly selected out of 500,0000 applicants in mid-April. However, there's a similar amount of spots (15,000) available through a charity. As well as, 6,000 for qualifying times, 1,000 spots for British Running Clubs, and 500 for World Major contestants. Registration is available here.
Chicago
Chicago - October 13, 2024
The Chicago Marathon is the fifth of the World Majors (after Berlin in late September). This year over 48,000 runners participated and a new World Record was set at just 35 seconds over 2 hours. Registration for the Chicago Marathon 2024 is open October 17- November 16, 2023 here. Runners must have a qualifying time for their age & gender to guarantee a spot or apply through a drawing or charity. The Chicago Guide outlines where to stay, what to do, and more marathon weekend.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC - October 27, 2024
The Marine Corps Marathon is referred to as The People's Marathon with representation from all 50 states and ~50 countries. The course does a big loop along the Potomac River, past the monuments, around the National Mall, Georgetown, Arlington, etc. Early Bird registration opens a year in advance and standard registration on December 26 here. For ideas on where to stay, what to do and more before and after the race, check out the Washington, DC Guide.
New York City
New York City - November 3, 2024
The last World Major marathon is also the largest with over 50,000 participants and that's the NYC Marathon. The race runs through all five NYC boroughs crossing a series of bridges and with a big finish in Central Park. Registration occurs for 2 weeks in February for time qualifiers and the drawing here. Ideas on where to stay, what to do, and more for marathon weekend in NYC are available in the New York City Guide.
Athens
Athens - November 10, 2024
It would be difficult to include a short-list of global marathons and not include where it all began. When a Greek messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to bring news of a battle victory before collapsing and dying. The Athens Marathon still occurs from namesake Marathon to Athens to represent the journey that created one of the first modern Olympic games in Athens in 1896. Registrations opens 6 months in advance for 20,000 participants here. For ideas on where to stay & what to do in Athens, head to the Greece Guide.
Honolulu
Honolulu - December 8, 2024
The Honolulu Marathon is the 4th largest in the US after NYC, Chicago & Boston, but there's no pressure here with no time limit, no qualifying times, and no participant limit. Anyone over the age of 7-years-old can participate, unlike most that require at least 18 years of age, and everyone is allowed to finish no matter how long it takes. Registration opens on June 1 here and goes through the expo. The course is along the coastline at sea level. Recommended places to stay, things to do, & more are available in the Hawaii Guide.