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If you hope to run a fast time, you may want to consider following in the footsteps of the greats with a jaunt around Berlin ‘s marathon course. The expo and results booklet are the best there are.
– Best destination marathons
Running — like laughing — doesn’t require a translator. So why not take your love of running international? Though completing a marathon takes determination and a commitment to months and sometimes even years of training, the sense of accomplishment as you cross that finish line makes it all worthwhile, says Ewen North, head coach and director of Revolution Running in Boulder, CO.
Thinking about tackling a You might as well see some incredible places along the way! Plus, come mile 16, you’ll definitely need the distraction. Read on to see 22 of the world’s best marathons and get tips to start training and planning. Marathon statistics show one of the most famous marathons for runners worldwide is also one of the oldest. Inspired by the revival of the marathon in the Olympics, the first Boston Marathon was run in The Boston Marathon offers a net downhill course with many famous landmarks and a big-city finish.
Entrants must meet rigorous qualifying standards, and half a million spectators cheer on these elite runners. Part of the glory of this race is having to qualify and the bragging rights that brings, says running coach Ewen North. The Athens Authentic Marathon is one of the biggest sporting events in Greece.
This memorable race follows the course of the original The race takes runners through the scenic hills of Athens on the same route taken in the Athens Olympics. Runners from across the world join in step to see the beauty of the city and take part in the historic tradition of the race. Nicknamed “The People’s Marathon,” the Marine Corps Marathon is one of the largest races in the US and the world that doesn’t offer prize money to winners.
Instead, the race prides itself as a “celebration of every finisher’s honor, courage and commitment to training for, and completing, the MCM. It’s also been recognized as the best race for beginners.
The race started in and has now expanded into a series of races including the Historic Half, Semper 5ive and even a kids run for children ages five to Deemed one of the toughest marathons in the world, the Great Wall Marathon challenges runners to climb more than 5, steps of the Great Wall, and finish by running through Chinese villages. The support of the massive crowd makes the challenge worth the pain, says Jennifer Purdie, a California-based running coach.
Runners participating in the Dublin Marathon run a largely flat, scenic course through Dublin’s City Centre. Yes, all roads lead to Rome. But once you get there, there’s only one route to take. The marathon course takes you all over the city and past nearly all of the city’s historic sites, starting at the Via dei Fori Imperiali near the Coliseum, passing the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Saint Peter’s Basilica before winding back around to the Coliseum.
The course is relatively flat, though you will have to contend with cobblestone streets for much of the race. Old and new worlds collide along this race course.
Runners will pass the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Station just to name a few landmarks all while taking in both the historic sites of Japan and some of its newer attractions and buildings. Make sure you stop by Japan’s largest running trade show, the Tokyo Marathon Expo, which boasts 60, visitors annually.
And in the years leading up to the city hosting the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, you can rest assured that the crowd will only grow larger. The visually stunning views of Australia’s Southern Ocean are enough to make you forget your legs are dying or at least enough to make it bearable. You’ll travel along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and take in the beautiful landscapes for the entire 44 kilometers.
And if you’re traveling from out of town, there’s plenty to see and do in Victoria — from exploring Apollo Bay and the surrounding picturesque seaside town with restaurants famous for their crawfish to the breathtaking mountains with its diversity of wildlife and weather conditions. One of the most challenging courses along the California coastline is the Big Sur International Marathon. The course is a struggle through hills and head wind, but the scenery offers runners a big reward.
The course takes runners through redwood forests and offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Live entertainment throughout the run may help keep you motivated, too. For the truly hardcore marathoner, there’s the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge, which includes two marathons in six days, 3, miles apart. Named for the famed Big Five African game animals — leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo — the course runs among wildlife in the Limpopo province’s Entabeni Safari Conservancy.
But dodging the wildlife isn’t the only challenge. Runners must negotiate steep altitude changes and rocky footing. Ah, Paris in springtime! Is there any better time to visit? Or to run a marathon in one of the world’s most beautiful cities? You’ll start at the Arc de Triomphe, wind through the historic streets of France’s most famous city and pass Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower on your way to the finish line.
In , Runners World magazine called Missoula the best marathon in the United States, and in , the state of Montana named it the state’s best tourism event. The Puerto Rico Marathon is a popular destination race, combining a Caribbean vacation with first-class competition. This race is also a Boston and New York Marathon qualifier, but Kalasky warns that runners should be prepared for heat and humidity.
And take advantage of the aid stations with plenty of Gatorade and water available placed a mile apart throughout the course.
If you’re looking for a run that offers a historic backdrop, this is a flat, fast race that starts in Blackheath in southeast London and ends in front of Buckingham Palace.
First held in , the race’s route has changed a couple of times to avoid road work and cobblestone streets. The course loops through the east end of London and crosses the River Thames and now goes past the Cutty Sark, the historic clipper ship that sits in dry dock at Greenwich. With more than half a million runners crossing the finish line since the race started in , this race is huge!
According to marathoner Caolan MacMahon, the course of the Chicago Marathon is fast, pancake-flat and scenic, too. If you’re bringing along friends to support you, Chicago’s excellent public transit system will take them to many spots along the route to cheer you on.
The Chicago Marathon is also one of the most diverse, with more than countries represented and all 50 states. If you struggle with running in cold temperatures, opt the Honolulu Marathon instead.
Hosted in December, it’s the third largest marathon in the United States, attracting around 30, runners each year with many entrants coming from Japan. Although the 5 a. To help runners cool off during the race, organizers provide cooling sponges and gels along the course, and showers at the finish line. As the largest marathon in the United States, the New York City Marathon hosted more than 50, runners in and more than two million spectators.
Along with the Chicago and Boston races, it’s one of the six Marathon Majors. With the exception of — when it was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy — the race has been run annually since The first race was run entirely in Central Park, but the course now loops through the five boroughs of New York City, with streets lined with spectators and entertainment.
This world-class marathon has grown from a small event attracting just runners in Until , the course ran along West Berlin’s Grunewald forest. Starting in , it moved into the city streets of West Berlin; but its most historic year came in when, three days before the reunification of the country, 25, runners ran through Brandenburg Gate, many with tears in their eyes.
The race runs through modern German history, with views of both drab and classic buildings of the East and high-tech shops and modern properties of the West. What makes this marathon unique is that runners share the course with in-line skaters. The race begins in the Bretagne village of Cancale and ends in Normandy, in front of the famous eighth-century monastery of Mont Saint-Michel. The race also offers an after-party to remember, according to running coach Caolan MacMahon. While not an official marathon it takes place on the Inca Trail, which is in a National Park , if you’re a runner up for a serious challenge, you’ll want to take this race on.
The course starts at Cusco at an altitude of 11, feet and continues along the ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, featuring stunning views of the Southern Peruvian Andes throughout the course. Once you make it to the top, you’ll spend two days exploring Machu Picchu before taking a train back down because your legs will definitely need the rest at that point.
With Africa’s highest mountain and the world’s highest free-standing mountain as an inspiring backdrop for this race, you’ll run along old tarred roads for the duration of the The course starts at Moshi Stadium, continues for a while on flat ground, before slowly inclining towards the turn-around point.
Once you reach halfway, though, it’s all downhill back to the stadium. On your route, you’ll continually pass farms, villages, banana and coffee plantations and patches of forest. If you’re looking for a flat, fast course with a small-town feel, run the Wineglass Marathon, which starts Bath, NY, and ends in Corning.
The upstate setting boasts of mountains and fall foliage as runners race past wineries and the Corning Museum of Glass. Local residents line up along the course to motivate runners. Runners in this race walk away with some impressive swag — the medal is hand-made glass. Runners also get a wine glass and mini bottle of champagne! The town of Corning offers special discounts in stores and restaurants to participants in this Boston-qualifying race.
Fitness Training Running. How many of these marathons have you run? Video of the Day. Boston Marathon April. Athens Authentic Marathon November. Marine Corps Marathon April. Great Wall Marathon May. Dublin Marathon October. Rome Marathon April. Image Credit: Facebook: Maratona di Roma. Tokyo Marathon February.
Great Ocean Road Marathon May. Big Sur International Marathon April. Big Five Marathon June.
The 26 Best Marathons in North America – MarathonPal
Apr 09, · There are a few important criteria for a good destination marathon. It has to be somewhere you’d really want to go, even if you weren’t running in a race. The course has to . Jul 06, · Best Marathons in the US for Beginners 1. Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon is one of the most recognized and esteemed marathons to participate in. 2. . Jul 06, · Best Marathons in the US for Beginners 1. Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon is one of the most recognized and esteemed marathons to participate in. 2. .
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