These marathons aren’t just about the race to the finish, you’ll be getting an eyeful of cultural, historical, and natural sights. From high-altitude conditions in Peru to below freezing temperatures in Antarctica, challenge yourself to a unique run in any of the best marathons in the world. Your marathon bucket-list just got longer!
Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon – Reykjavik, Iceland
The route of the marathon offers excellent views of the sea and mountains, as well as taking participants past some noteworthy landmarks, such as Höfði House where Gorbachev and Reagan met for a summit in 1986. So get training, and don’t miss your chance to take part in one of the northernmost marathons in the world!
Date: August 20, 2016
Find a flight to ReykjavikVodafone Istanbul Marathon – Istanbul, Turkey
All runners finish their race with the greatest prizes of all: a view of the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Blue Mosque, situated in the UNESCO Historic Areas of Istanbul.
If your legs can carry you, take a stroll through Fener district and get lost between the colourful steep streets. A well-deserved Turkish coffee break awaits at Café Fener. For those who prefer to relax and recuperate, the renovated Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami built in 1578 as a mosque and school complex is the perfect hammam experience for spoiling the body and enriching the mind.
Date: November 13, 2016
Find a flight to IstanbulJungfrau Marathon – Interlaken, Switzerland
Coming to Switzerland in September is also a great time to experience the country without the bulk of the summer tourists, but still a high likelihood of excellent weather for other outdoor pursuits. Don’t miss the opportunity to take in some of the most scenic train rides in the world while in Switzerland: the Glacier Express is particularly worthwhile.
Date: September 10, 2016
Find a flight to nearby BerneBMW Berlin Marathon – Berlin, Germany
Don’t leave Berlin without visiting the Berlin Wall Memorial to understand the impact the wall had on Berliners, as well as the East Side Gallery to visit the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, now covered in messages of peace and unity.
Date: September 25, 2016
Sightseeing after the run? Download our free city guide app for Berlin, momondo places, directly to your iPhone
Find a flight to BerlinTCS Amsterdam Marathon – Amsterdam, Netherlands
October may be the perfect time to visit Amsterdam, as peak season is over, and the orange leaves reflecting on the canals make for a postcard-perfect backdrop. It’s also a time of many cultural events including the Klik! Animation Festival and Afrovibes Festival to name a few.
Date: October 16, 2016
Sightseeing after the run? Download our free city guide app for Amsterdam, momondo places, directly to your iPhone
Find a flight to AmsterdamVenicemarathon – Venice, Italy
October is also a great time to visit Venice for the food. It’s when restaurants start changing their menus to serve traditional Veneto autumn fare, with dishes including pumpkin, artichokes, and wild duck from the surrounding lagoon. It’s also the best time of the year to try some torbolino, a cloudy, fermenting, fresh wine that is best accompanied by a plate of roasted chestnuts.
Date: October 23, 2016
Find a flight to VeniceAthens Marathon – Athens, Greece
Nowadays, since so many runners take part, it has nine different starts, and takes participants past some of the most impressive ancient sights of the city, ending at the marble Panathenaic Stadium. A visit to Athens is also the perfect opportunity to delve into history and see some of the most noteworthy ancient Greek structures, such as the Acropolis, Parthenon, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Date: November 13, 2016
Find a flight to AthensStandard Chartered Bangkok Marathon – Bangkok, Thailand
After you’ve completed the run, don’t leave the city without visiting a few of the sights up close like the impressive 17th century temple at Wat Arun by the Chao Phraya River, intricately decorated with porcelain. Other worthwhile experiences are having a traditional Thai massage and trying some authentic Bangkok street food in Chinatown, locally known as Yaowarat Road.
Date: November 20, 2016
Sightseeing after the run? Download our free city guide app for Bangkok, momondo places, directly to your iPhone
Find a flight to BangkokAntarctic Ice Marathon – Union Glacier Camp, Antarctica
To take part, you have to commit to the four-day itinerary, beginning by flying in from Punta Arenas, Chile on a private jet the day before the race. Runners should not expect to perform their best time as the wind this far south can be formidable.
Date: November 24, 2016
Find a flight to Punta ArenasAntelope Canyon Ultra-Marathon – Antelope Canyon, Arizona
About a 4-hour drive from Phoenix, this region is particularly interesting to visit to see remnants of Native American culture in the pueblo ruins of Wupatki and the Navajo Nation, the largest reservation in the USA. You can also visit another one of the most famous natural landmarks in the country: Monument Valley.
Date: February 25, 2017
Find a flight to nearby PhoenixDead Sea Ultra Marathon – Amman, Jordan
Once you’ve completed the race, don’t forget to take a dip in the Dead Sea itself, where you can’t help but float due to its high salt concentration.
Date: April 8, 2017
Find a flight to AmmanVirgin Money London Marathon – London, United Kingdom
For some quintessential London experiences, try soaking up some culture in the many world-class museums, take a river cruise down the Thames, see a show in the West End, and have a curry dinner.
Date: April 23, 2017
Sightseeing after the run? Download our free city guide app for London, momondo places, directly to your iPhone
Find a flight to LondonRock n’ Roll Marathon – Madrid, Spain
At the same time as the marathon is taking place, there are live music events going on throughout the city along the course of the run to help motivate runners and also entertain spectators. The Rock n’ Roll Marathon is a worldwide series, so if you’re up to it you can buy a pass to run in the other 29 cities like Montréal, Dublin, or Las Vegas.
Date: April 23, 2017
Find a flight to MadridGreat Wall Marathon – Tianjin Province, China
The challenge of following the fortress walls, up and down 5,164 steps, is rewarded by the cheers of the inhabitants in the villages you’ll cross.
Combine your run with a day trip to Beijing, 3 hours away. Check out the Forbidden City and be faced with a whole new challenge: the city’s thick smog. Plough through the thick air and a few (more) steps if you’re keen on visiting the Temple of Heaven Park, with its Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Date: May 20, 2017
Find a flight to nearby BeijingMarathon de la Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel – Cancale, France
After the race, make sure to take advantage of the culinary offerings of the region, specifically the oysters. The 6th century town of Cancale is known as the oyster capital of France, and it is the perfect place to relax while watching the fishing boats bob up and down at high tide.
Date: May 2017 (date TBC)
Find a flight to nearby DinardInca Trail Marathon & Inca Trail Classic 30k – Machu Picchu, Peru
Date: June 8, 2017 or August 10, 2017
Read more: soak in the most beautiful sunrises in the world including Machu Picchu
Find a flight to nearby CuzcoMidnight Sun Marathon – Tromsø, Norway
Date: June 17, 2017
Find a flight to TromsøBig Five Marathon – Entabeni Game Reserve, South Africa
The Big Five animals, known as lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo, are only some of the great things you might see all the while speeding through the Entabeni Reserve near Johannesburg. Amongst the safety of park rangers, catch your breath and enjoy the backdrop of endless plains and the Entabeni monolith.
Date: June 24, 2017
Find a flight to Johannesburg