Running a marathon is a monumental achievement that demands months of disciplined preparation, strategic training, and unwavering mental resilience. Covering the classic distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres), the marathon is widely regarded as one of the most challenging endurance events in sport, testing an athlete’s physical capability, mental strength, and capacity to push through fatigue.
Preparing for such a demanding race typically follows a structured training plan that gradually increases weekly mileage, incorporates interval and tempo workouts to build speed and stamina, and features regular long runs to develop endurance. Equally important is proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery, all of which play vital roles in optimising performance and reducing the risk of injury. For runners seeking the ultimate test of endurance combined with a world-class race atmosphere, the planet’s most prestigious marathons offer truly unforgettable experiences.
The seven biggest and most celebrated races – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Sydney – make up the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a globally recognised series showcasing exceptional organisation, iconic city backdrops, and elite competition. These events attract tens of thousands of runners from around the world, each chasing personal bests, charity goals, or the thrill of completing a bucket-list race.
Beyond the Majors, there are hundreds of marathons and running events held every month across the globe, ranging from scenic coastal routes and historic city courses to challenging trail races in remote landscapes. Whether aiming for a world-renowned event or a more intimate local race, the marathon journey offers an inspiring and transformative experience for runners of all levels.
From events in major cities and snow to vineyards and African safari, here’s our pick of the best marathons around the world in 2026. All events and dates are subject to change.
Travel agencies
A number of travel agencies offer packages to various marathons and running events around the world, including:
- Marathon Travel & Tours
- Sports Tours International
- Destination Sport Experiences
- 2:09 Events
- RunFun Travel
- Marathon World Travel
- Tri Travel
Other sports calendars
Marathons and running events in 2026
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
When: 7-11 January 2026
Where: Orlando, Florida, US
Website: rundisney.com
Hong Kong Marathon
When: 18 January 2026
Where: Hong Kong
Website: hkmarathon.com
Dubai Marathon
When: 1 February 2026
Where: Dubai, UAE
Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon
When: 21-22 February 2026
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Website: runrocknroll.com
Tokyo Marathon
When: 1 March 2026
Where: Tokyo, Japan
Website: marathon.tokyo
Los Angeles Marathon
When: 8 March 2026
Where: Los Angeles, California, US
Website: mccourtfoundation.org
Run Rome The Marathon
When: 22 March 2026
Where: Rome, Italy
Website: runromethemarathon.com
Manulife Danang International Marathon
When: 22 March 2026
Where: Da Nang, Vietnam
Website: rundanang.com
Côte Chalonnaise Wine Marathon
When: 28 March 2026
Where: Burgundy, France
Events: marathon, half marathon, 10km, and MARA3 (race with three runners – the first runner on the 42km, the second for the 21km and third on 10km. All three runners will then finish together)
Website: marathondesvinsdelacotechalonnaise.fr
Brighton Marathon Weekend
When: 11-12 April 2026
Where: Brighton, England
Events: Brighton Miles, Brighton and Hove 10K, Brighton Marathon
Website: brightonmarathonweekend.co.uk
NN Marathon Rotterdam
When: 11-12 April 2026
Where: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Website: nnmarathonrotterdam.nl
Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris
When: 12 April 2026
Where: Paris, France
Website: schneiderelectricparismarathon.com
ABP Newport Marathon Festival
When: 19 April 2026
Where: Newport, Wales, UK
Events: marathon, half marathon, 10K, mile
Website: newportwalesmarathon.co.uk
130th Boston Marathon
When: Monday 20 April 2026
Where: Boston, USA
Website: baa.org
Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series
When: 25-26 April 2026
Where: Nashville, Tennessee, US
What: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, Kids Rock, Doggie Dash
Website: runrocknroll.com
2026 TCS London Marathon
When: 26 April 2026
Where: London, England
Website: londonmarathonevents.co.uk
Belfast City Marathon
When: 3 May 2026
Where: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Website: belfastcitymarathon.com
Great Ocean Road Running Festival
When: 16-17 May 2026
Where: Victoria, Australia
Events: ultra marathon; marathon; half marathon; 14km run; 6km run; 1.5km kids’ gallop; 12km trail run; 5km/10km walk
Website: greatoceanroadrunfest.com.au
Edinburgh Marathon Festival
When: 23-24 May 2026
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Events: marathon; half marathon; team relay; 10km; 5km
Website: edinburghmarathon.com
Icefjord Midnight Marathon
When: 30 May 2026
Where: Ilulissat, Greenland
Website: icefjord-midnight-marathon.com
Stockholm Marathon
When: 30 May 2026
Where: Stockholm, Sweden
Website: stockholmmarathon.se
KLM Aruba Marathon
When: 6-7 June 2026
Where: Aruba
What: marathon, half-marathon, 10km, 5km
Website: klmarubamarathon.com
Big Five Marathon
When: 13 June 2026
Where: South Africa
Website: big-five-marathon.com
Comrades Marathon
When: 14 June 2026
Where: Durban to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
What: 89km ultra-marathon
Website: comrades.com
Midnight Sun Marathon
When: 20 June 2026
Where: Tromsø, Norway
Events: Marathon; Mizuno Half Marathon; Coop Mila (10km); Mini-marathon (4.2km); Children’s race (800m)
Website: msm.no
Iceland Volcano Marathon
When: 27 June 2026
Where: near Lake Mývatn, Iceland
Website: iceland-volcano-marathon.com
Zagori Mountain Running
When: 17-19 July 2026
Where: Zagori, Greece
Events: 93km Challenge; 60km TeRA; 33km Classic; Half Marathon; Forest 10km; Fun 5km
Website: zagorirace.gr
Australian Outback Marathon
When: 25 July 2026
Where: Uluru, Australia
Website: australianoutbackmarathon.com
San Francisco Marathon
When: 25-26 July 2026
Where: San Francisco, California, US
Events: marathon; half marathon (bridge half/city half); ultramarathon; 10km; 5km; family 1km
Website: thesfmarathon.com
TCS Sydney Marathon
When: 30 August 2026
Where: Sydney, Australia
Events: marathon
Website: tcssydneymarathon.com
Petra Desert Marathon
When: 5 September 2026
Where: Petra, Jordan
Website: petra-desert-marathon.com
Médoc Marathon
When: 5 September 2026
Where: the vineyards of the Médoc in the Gironde, France
Website: marathondumedoc.com
Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon
When: 6 September 2026
Where: Kauai island, Hawaii, US
Website: thekauaimarathon.com
Tallinn Marathon
When: 11-13 September 2026
Where: Tallinn, Estonia
Events: marathon; half marathon; 10km; 5km
Website: jooks.ee
Altra 13 Valleys Ultra
When: 25-27 September 2026
Where: Lake District National Park, England
Distances: 2 Valleys (22km), 5 Valleys (55km), 7 Valleys (110km), 13 Valleys (180km)
Website: 13valleysultra.com
Loch Ness Marathon and Festival of Running
When: 27 September 2026
Where: Loch Ness, Scotland
Website: lochnessmarathon.com
Berlin Marathon
When: 27 September 2026
Where: Berlin, Germany
Website: bmw-berlin-marathon.com
Budapest Marathon
When: 10-11 October 2026
Where: Budapest, Hungary
Events: marathon, marathon relay, 30km, 15km, 10km, 5km
Website: marathon.runinbudapest.com
Chicago Marathon
When: 11 October 2026
Where: Chicago, USA
Website: chicagomarathon.com
Amsterdam Marathon
When: 17-18 October 2026
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Events: TCS Marathon, Mizuno Half Marathon, 7.5K, Good Morning City Run, Kids Run and Heroes Run
Website: tcsamsterdammarathon.eu
Toronto Waterfront Marathon
When: 17-18 October 2026
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Events: marathon; half marathon; 5k
Website: torontowaterfrontmarathon.com
Palma Marathon Mallorca
When: 18 October 2026
Where: Palma, Mallorca, Spain
Events: marathon; half marathon; 10km
Website: palmademallorcamarathon.com
The Sierra Leone Marathon and Cycle Challenge
Organisers: Street Child UK (registered charity)
When: 21 October 2026
Where: Northern Sierra Leone
Events: full marathon, half marathon, 10km or 5km runs; 10km and 75km cycles
Website: street-child.co.uk
Dublin Marathon
When: 25 October 2026
Where: Dublin, Ireland
Website: irishlifedublinmarathon.ie
Venice Marathon
When: 25 October 2026
Where: Venice, Italy
Events: marathon; half marathon; 10k; family run
Website: venicemarathon.it
New York City Marathon
When: 1 November 2026
Where: New York City, USA
Website: nyrr.org
Philadelphia Marathon Weekend
When: 20-22 November 2026
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Events: marathon; half marathon; 8k; kids fun run
Website: philadelphiamarathon.com
Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Marathon
When: December 2026 TBC
Where: Valencia, Spain
Website: valenciaciudaddelrunning.com
Reggae Marathon
When: 6 December 2026
Where: Kingston Waterfront, Jamaica
Events: half-marathon; 10k; 5km
Website: reggaemarathon.com
Honolulu Marathon
When: 13 December 2026
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Website: honolulumarathon.org
Main image: pxhere.com