Tag: Marathon

4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

World’s best half marathons in 2026

Running a half marathon, a 13.1-mile (21.1km) race, has become one of the most popular goals for runners seeking a manageable yet highly rewarding challenge. It strikes the perfect balance between shorter distances such as 5km races and the full marathon, offering a substantial test of endurance without requiring the extensive time commitment demanded by marathon training.  For many, the half marathon represents an achievable step into the world of long-distance running, providing both the thrill of competition and the satisfaction of reaching a meaningful milestone. Training for a half marathon typically spans eight to 12 weeks and follows a structured plan designed to build endurance, strength, and confidence. Weekly schedules usually include a combination of long runs, speed or tempo...

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4Jan By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Calendars, Events

World’s best marathons and running festivals in 2026

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...

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22Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business

TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 attracts record 123,000 ballot entries

Sydney’s status as a world-class sports tourism destination continues to accelerate, with the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS attracting unprecedented global interest for its 2026 edition.  The iconic event, now part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), has become a magnet for travelling runners, drawing tens of thousands of international visitors eager to combine a bucket-list marathon with a trip to one of the world’s most spectacular sports cities. The 2026 edition, taking place on Sunday 30 August 2026, will have an increased capacity targeting 40,000 finishers.  Record-shattering demand for the TCS Sydney Marathon is cementing the Harbour City’s position as one of the world’s premier sports tourism hotspots. The event’s latest ballot drew more than 123,00...

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2Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business

Apply for ‘The Coolest Job on Earth’ at the Antarctica Marathon

Forget the sports travel bucket list (for a minute), this is one for the life and career bucket lists. Marathon Tours & Travel is calling on runners, adventurers, storytellers, and content creators from across the world to apply for its most exciting campaign yet – “The Coolest Job on Earth”. This unique competition offers one lucky winner the chance to travel with the company to Antarctica in March 2026 and work behind the scenes at the world-famous Antarctica Marathon. The winner will travel to King George Island in March 2026, joining the Marathon Tours & Travel team in delivery of the Antarctica Marathon, which is held on 19 March 2026. They’ll be given the unique opportunity to experience one of the planet’s most extraordinary running events, and to connect with runners fr...

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10Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Holidays & Trips

Marathon travel: 2025 Kangaroo Island Marathon in South Australia 

Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) is gearing up for its highly anticipated 2025 Kangaroo Island Marathon – scheduled for Sunday 24 August 2025 in the heart of Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Originally launched in 2015 and acquired by MTT in 2024, the Kangaroo Island Marathon now forms a key part of its global Seven Continents Club adventure series. The course offers runners a spectacular journey through regenerating flora and fauna in this beautiful post‑bushfire landscape, undulating roads and trails, dramatic Southern Ocean coastlines, and the iconic Remarkable Rocks boardwalk. To ensure competitors have a seamless journey to the event, Marathon Tours and Travel offer flexible travel options, including: 3‑night Premium Packages (AU only): with...

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17May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Events

Sports travel bucket list: ‘Run for the Rainforest’ Odzala Marathon 

Organised by Kamba Africa – the only private operator granted concessions in the Republic of the Congo’s (ROC) National Parks – the ‘Run for the Rainforest’ Odzala Marathon may just be one of the most impactful endurance running events, and one of the most exclusive, with entries limited to just 50 runners.  Taking place next on 11 October 2025, the event raises vital funds for African Parks to continue their protection of the world’s second largest rainforest by allowing participants to fundraise among their network while experiencing one of the planet’s most pristine ecosystems in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The day will feature three distinct race categories to engage a diverse range of participants. The main 42km Odzala Rainforest Maratho...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Trends

Rise of ‘mara-cations’: Generator sees marathon weekend booking surge

Following the TCS London Marathon in April, boutique accommodation brand Generator has recorded an increase in guests looking to combine their love of running with travel – opting for a hybrid of a holiday and a marathon, affectionately coined the “mara-cation”.  With a surge in bookings across its global portfolio, Generator’s properties in key marathon locations have seen increased demand during event weekends, highlighting that guests now more than ever are seeking  a blend of wellness, intense self-optimisation and a desire to see the world through a new lens.  Of the locations that are seeing the biggest increase, New York leads the way, with a 67% increase in bookings at Paramount Times Square - a Generator Hotel during the NYC marathon weekend 2025 (2 November). Berlin co...

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26Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Business

Marathon Tours & Travel unveils Shanghai Marathon partnership and packages

Marathon Tours & Travel has been confirmed as the official international tour operator for the 2025 Shanghai Marathon, taking place on Sunday 30 November 2025. The partnership will see Marathon Tours & Travel work in tandem with international travel companies to offer a range of travel options for international runners who have already secured their entry in this year’s Shanghai Marathon.  The partnership comes as the Shanghai Marathon embarks on its debut year as an Abbott World Marathon Major candidacy race. Marathon Tours & Travel will market travel packages directly to participants as well as help them, along with their friends, family and supporters, source seamless travel options to Shanghai from around the world ahead of marathon day, along with accommodation opt...

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22Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts

nhow London launches hotel stay package for London Marathon 2025

The nhow London hotel, located in Shoreditch, has created an exclusive two-night marathon package for runners competing in the London Marathon on Sunday 27 April 2025. Starting from £245 per night, the package – 25-27 April or 26-28 April – is designed to fuel both performance and recovery for runners. Available at an additional cost, runners can prepare for their big day with a special pre-race dinner menu on the night before the event, featuring carbohydrate-rich foods, moderate in protein and low in fat and fibre.  Following a night's sleep, marathon-goers can enjoy a tailored runners' breakfast from 5am, with a choice of foods to optimise energy levels. Every athlete staying at the hotel will also receive an energy pack to-go, featuring essential race-day fuel such as a banana an...

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1Mar By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

London Marathon experiences at The Westin London City

As the English capital gears up for the highly anticipated TCS London Marathon on Sunday 27 April 2025, The Westin London City hotel has unveiled a series of marathon experiences designed for both runners and their supporters.  Situated along the historic River Thames, the five-star property has 226 guest rooms, suites and residences, plus F&B options including all-day dining restaurant Mosaic and riverside wine bar Hithe + Seek. The hotel is also popular for guests seeking wellness and recreation during their stay in central London. Dedicated to promoting wellbeing, The Westin London City is home to the Heavenly Spa by Westin, which has an indoor swimming pool, and the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio. In terms of events, the hotel hosts yoga classes and “Rise & Run” sessi...

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28Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

The Great Run Company: Gen Z spurs 39% increase in running participation

The Great Run Company, owners of the world’s biggest half marathon, the Great North Run, has revealed the four core trends identified in 2024 which look set to continue into 2025. Using 2024 participant data from more than 180,000 runners across its portfolio of annual running events, the Great Run Company’s Rewind24 Report highlighted: the love of running is not waning with more and more people taking up the sport new runners are challenging themselves with the distances they take on  the boom in running is being fuelled by Gen Z the gender gap in participation continues to shrink Keep on running: the popularity of running continues at pace with a 39% increase in participation versus 2023, according to growth figures across the Great Run Series, excluding The Great Nor...

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28Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Marathon Tours & Travel release 2025 ‘Aussie Challenge’ packages

Running travel specialists Marathon Tours & Travel has released travel packages for two of Australia’s most celebrated marathons in 2025: the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by Asics and the Kangaroo Island Marathon. With only a week separating the two events, participants can also choose to take on the ultimate running adventure by combining both events in the unique ‘Aussie Challenge’. Now an official Abbott World Marathon Major, the 2025 iteration of TCS Sydney Marathon takes place on Sunday 31 August. As one of only seven World Marathon Majors, it promises an electric atmosphere, world-class competition, and the chance to run past some of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Just a week before the TCS Sydney Marathon, on Sunday 24...

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17Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Events

Sydney Marathon confirmed as seventh Abbott World Marathon Major

Abbott World Marathon Majors has confirmed that the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will join the series in 2025 to become the seventh event in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. The TCS Sydney Marathon, which will take place on Sunday 31 August 2025, joins six races including the Tokyo Marathon, the Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, the TCS London Marathon, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon as part of the global marathon series. The Sydney Marathon is the largest marathon in Oceania and saw a record 20,272 finishers during its 2024 race, allowing it to pass its second consecutive assessment and become an Abbott World Marathon Major. Dawna Stone, CEO of AbbottWMM, said: “I am thrilled that Sydn...

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10Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

2025 London Marathon: Marathon Tours & Travel confirmed as participant hotel provider

London Marathon Events has announced that Marathon Tours & Travel will be the official participant hotel provider of the 2025 TCS London Marathon, which next takes place on Sunday 27 April 2025. The one-year partnership will see Marathon Tours & Travel offer a variety of hotel accommodation options for UK or international runners who have already secured their entry into next year’s TCS London Marathon – the 45th edition.  Marathon Tours & Travel’s expert support teams, based in England, will help participants, along with their friends, family and supporters, find the right place to stay ahead of marathon day, with accommodation that allows for easy access to the start and finish of the TCS London Marathon.  Stays of one, two or more nights can be booked in carefully...

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3Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

Vienna, Chamonix and Reykjavik ranked the world’s best cities for running holidays

Research by Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair, has revealed the world's best cities for running holidays, with Vienna coming out on top. The comprehensive study analysed the number of running routes, their average ratings and elevation, alongside nightly accommodation costs and safety of 20 popular running destinations, to reveal the best for your next adventure abroad. Vienna, the elegant capital of Austria, ranks as the best destination for a running holiday this year with an index score of 74/100. The city offers an abundance of running routes, with more than 1,008 tracks available within a 10-mile radius of the city centre. The average route review stands at an impressive 4.6, reflecting the well-maintained and scenic paths that meander through its historic streets and parks. V...

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21Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Almaty Marathon generated $1.8m economic impact in 2023

Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, will host the 13th edition of the Almaty Marathon on 29 September 2024 – the largest running event in Central Asia, which has become a catalyst for change in the region. The marathon has instilled a love of running in the people of Kazakhstan and has also had a tangible impact on the economy and the wider social sphere in Almaty and the entire region. In 2012, Kazakhstani entrepreneur Galimzhan Yessenov founded the "Courage to be First" corporate foundation. The foundation has now held more than 100 events attended by more than 200,000 people from all over the world. The flagship project of the foundation – the Almaty Marathon – has become an important driver of Almaty's economic development, attracting tourists to the city and stimulating the growth o...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Marathon Tours & Travel named co-title sponsor of AbbottWMM Age Group programme

Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) has announced Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) as the new co-title sponsor of its Age Group World Rankings and Championship programme.  The new sponsorship will see the programme renamed the Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Rankings for the 2024 season that began on 1 January. MTT will also assume sponsorship of the forthcoming 2024 Age Group World Championship event. The fourth annual championship race will take place within the 2024 Sydney Marathon and feature more than 1,800 of the world’s best age group competitors, who qualified from more than 350 races worldwide during the previous 2023 season. MTT will offer special VIP Packages specifically for Age Group World Championship athletes to inclu...

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2024 Côte Chalonnaise Wine Marathon, Burgundy

Held in the vineyards and villages of Burgundy in France, the 2024 Côte Chalonnaise Wine Marathon will take place on Saturday 23 March. Starting and finishing in Givry, the event features a number of race distances including the full marathon, half marathon and a 10km. There will also be the “MARA3”, a race with three runners with the first runner on the 42km, the second for the 21km and third on 10km. All three runners will then finish together.  Throughout the course there will be refreshments and runners are encouraged to compete in fancy dress. There will also be a wine market all weekend with Givry wines on sale. You can register for the event at marathondesvinsdelacotechalonnaise.fr  For more information and hotels see: Event: marathondesvinsdelacotechalonnaise.fr Hotel...

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18Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Greek Running Tours by Dean Karnazes: the ‘ultimate runcation’ in Greece 

Greek-American ultramarathoner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes has partnered with sports tourism and wellness agency ActiveMedia Group to launch Greek Running Tours. Greece, the birthplace of the marathon, is a land where history has been created, legends made and where magic and mythology come together. As tribute to his Greek heritage and his desire to promote Greek tourism to a global audience, Karnazes gives runners the opportunity to explore Greece on foot, immersing in the history and beauty, eating the food and experiencing this legendary land in a way that few tourists ever will.  Dean Karnazes (Image: Angelos Zymaras) Along with the running (and a walking option for non-runners) each day will include cultural experiences – from bread making in the mountains of Crete, to olive...

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30Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sydney Marathon enters race to join Abbott World Marathon Majors 

Sydney is on track to join the most high-profile marathon cities in the world, with the Blackmores Sydney Marathon officially announced as a candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors series – the first marathon in Oceania to be nominated. To become a major, the Sydney Marathon will be required to meet “strict criteria over a three-year period”, said worldmarathonmajors.com. If successful, it will join an esteemed group of races – Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW-Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and TCS New York City Marathon – as a new member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025. Stuart Ayres, the New South Wales minister for tourism and sport, said the candidacy acknowledges the Sydney Marathon as a world-class event with one of...

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