Although it may sound crazy to some, running enthusiasts often travel to faraway places to run long distances. There are many major marathons around the world, with incredible scenery, an adventurous spirit and a long history.
Here are some of the best-known ones.
TCS New York City Marathon
City: New York, USA
When: November
Registration fee: from $216 (for US citizens) up to $347 (for international participants)
The first New York City Marathon was held in 1970, with 127 participants, and over the years it has become the largest in the world. In 2018, it set a world record for the number of finishers (52,812).
It is also part of the World Marathon Majors series. Everyone who loves marathons wants to compete in it at least once in their life. The course originally consisted of multiple laps around Central Park, but now passes through five boroughs. The terrain is surprisingly hilly, starting on Staten Island, passing through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, and finishing in Manhattan. The course is over 42 km long.
BMW Berlin Marathon
City: Berlin, Germany
When: September
Registration fee: 98 euros
Part of the World Marathon Majors, this two-day, 42 km race was first held in 1974 and has taken place every year since. Both amateurs and elite athletes favor this marathon for its mild autumn temperatures and flat course. In fact, experienced athletes have set numerous world records at the Berlin Marathon. Paul Tergat first set a record in 2003 for the fastest marathon time (2 hours and 4 minutes), which was later beaten by Haile Gebrselassie (2:03:59) and Patrick Makau (2:03:38 in 2011).
Children and people with disabilities can take part in the marathon, with races for inline skaters and special wheelchairs. Participants pass through beautiful parks and historic landmarks, including the Holocaust Memorial and Brandenburg Gate.
Tokyo Marathon
City: Tokyo, Japan
When: February
Registration fee: from 10,800 yen (86 euros) to 12,800 yen (102 euros) depending on citizenship
Since its launch in 2007, this marathon has become Asia's most famous, thanks to its busy streets and flat, scenic course through central Tokyo. It is so popular that over 300,000 people have registered in recent years, but Japan's strict qualification rules mean most of them have not made it to the starting line.
This is the newest and final race in the World Marathon Majors, as well as Japan's largest marathon, with 36,000 participants per edition. The latest race was held on March 3, 2019, when Birhanu Legese won the men's race in 2:04:48 and Ruti Aga won the women's race in 2:20:40.
Schneider Electric Paris Marathon
City: Paris, France
When: April
Registration fee: 99 euros
Thanks to its flat, paved course, this marathon is considered a “test race” and is one of the fastest to run. Athletes from around the world use it to see whether they are ready to take part in other, tougher races over longer distances. The 41 km route passes through central Paris, allowing participants to see landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon
City: Dublin, Ireland
When: October
Registration fee: 90 euros
The first marathon took place in 1980, and its popularity has only grown since then. It is called the “Friendly Marathon” because of the crowds who cheer on and support the runners. The race is a single loop through Dublin's Georgian streets, which are mostly flat, apart from two hills about 50 m high.
The marathon starts at Fitzwilliam Square and finishes in the city center at Merrion Square, where Ireland's most famous writers, William Butler Yeats and Oscar Wilde, lived. October's weather is ideal for marathon running, with temperatures around 11–14 ˚C.
Virgin Money London Marathon
City: London, United Kingdom
When: April
Registration fee: 39 pounds
This is the third-largest marathon in the UK and holds the world record for the largest charity event. It has raised over 72.5 million dollars for charity. First held in 1981, it is now also part of the World Marathon Majors, with a 42 km distance and a flat course. The marathon finishes on London's iconic The Mall, and is also known for having three starting points, with the routes merging after about 4 km. The course follows the River Thames and passes the city's most iconic landmarks.
Great Wall of China Marathon
City: Tianjin, China
When: May
Registration fee: from 1,280 dollars (for 7 days) up to $1,490 (for 6 days)
The marathon is unique in that a quarter of the distance involves running along the Great Wall of China. This race is considered one of the most challenging in the world because the entire course is surrounded by beautiful scenery and includes 5,164 steps, unpaved gravel roads, farmland and rice paddies. It was first held in 1999.
Marathona in Boston
City: Boston, USA
When: April
Registration fee: $200
This is the largest, most successful and oldest marathon, dating back to 1897. Considered a major American event, it is also part of the World Marathon Majors. The course is challenging and passes through Ashland, Natick, Newton, Boston, Hopkinton, Framingham, Wellesley and Brookline. The hills in Newton make the course very difficult for amateurs.
The marathon became notorious after the 2013 terrorist attack, when two homemade bombs exploded three hours after the race began, as some athletes were crossing the finish line. However, this did not stop the marathon from being held in subsequent years.
Another well-known story about this marathon is that in 1967, when only men were allowed to participate, Kathrine Switzer entered in disguise. At the time, women were explicitly barred from taking part in long, exhausting races, but she trained in track and field and wanted to run the distance. Although the organizers discovered her during the race and tried to remove her, she managed to continue and finish in 4 hours and 20 minutes. She thus became the first woman to run a marathon.
Big Five Marathon
City: Limpopo, South Africa
When: June
Registration fee: from $1,646 (for 6 days) to $2,093 (for 8 days)
This marathon runs through the South African savanna. Its name comes from the five animals that are hardest for hunters to catch: the leopard, lion, buffalo, rhino and elephant. The course passes directly through lion territory, but is safe despite this, as it is monitored by helicopters and armed guards.
The marathon is a major challenge for athletes due to the high temperatures and almost continuous uphill climbs through the desert.
Dubai Marathon
City: Dubai, UAE
When: January
Registration fee: $130
The Dubai Marathon offers the highest prize money in the world: $200,000 for first place. In 2008, $1 million was offered for setting a new world record, and $250,000 for the first-place finishers in the men's and women's races. It is usually held in January, with the first edition taking place in 2000. Over the years, runners from Ethiopia and Kenya have dominated. The latest records are held by Tamirat Dola in the men's race, with a time of 2:04:11, and Aselefech Mergia in the women's race, with a time of 2:19:31.
Read more: Why should we run every day, and what do we gain from doing it?