Find the right marathon for you

Compare courses, check when races are held, and see what to expect on race day — from the World Marathon Majors to races still on your bucket list.

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On the calendar

Upcoming Marathons

Next marathons happening anywhere in the world

Athens Marathon

The Athens Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing around 19,000 finishers on a historic urban road in Athens, Greece. The course runs from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens — the route associated with the 490 BC Marathon legend. The first 10 km are relatively flat before a sustained climb from around 10 km to 31 km and a descent into central Athens.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

OkayamaOkayamaJapan

Okayama Marathon

The Okayama Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 13k finishers each November on an urban road in Okayama, Japan. Its rapid growth turned it into western Honshu's marquee autumn citizen marathon. The route passes Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden approaches, and broad streets along the Asahi River. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

NiceProvence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurFrance

Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes

The Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes is a spectacular point-to-point along the French Riviera, drawing around 10,000 finishers each November from Nice to Cannes. The route follows the Mediterranean littoral through Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet, Antibes-Juan-les-Pins, and Vallauris-Golfe-Juan, with the main climb on the Cap d'Antibes headland. It is one of Europe's most scenic coastal marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

MalagaAndalusiaSpain

Malaga Marathon

The Malaga Marathon draws around 7,500 finishers on an urban road in Malaga, Spain. The course starts and finishes on the Paseo del Parque in front of City Hall, near the port. Very flat along the seafront.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

Saint-NazairePays de la LoireFrance

Marathon de la Côte d'Amour

The Marathon de la Côte d'Amour runs along the Atlantic coast of Saint-Nazaire and the Loire estuary, drawing about 6,000 finishers each November. The course follows the 'Love Coast' beaches and passes the Saint-Nazaire shipyards and seaside resorts of western France. November Atlantic weather and coastal rolling terrain characterise this Breton-Loire marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

Porto Marathon

The Porto Marathon draws around 4,700 finishers on an urban road course in Porto, Portugal. The course starts by SEA LIFE Porto and finishes at the Queimódromo beside Parque da Cidade. The route heads north to Matosinhos, follows the Atlantic seafront and the Douro riverfront past the Ribeira district, and crosses the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia. Mostly flat, with a short rise into the finish.

Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026

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Abbott World Marathon Majors

World Marathon Majors

What each major is like on the ground — course profile, typical weather, elevation, and race-day video from the course.

World Marathon Major

BerlinBerlinGermany

Berlin Marathon

The Berlin Marathon is renowned as one of the world's fastest marathon courses, having hosted more men's marathon world records than any other venue. The flat, straight boulevards take runners past the Brandenburg Gate for a spectacular finish. Elite and recreational runners alike target Berlin for personal bests.

Next race: Sunday, 26 September 2027

World Marathon Major

BostonMassachusettsUnited States

Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and the only major requiring qualification for most runners. Starting in Hopkinton and finishing on Boylston Street, the course features the challenging Heartbreak Hill and legendary New England crowd support. It is the pinnacle race for competitive amateur marathoners.

Next race: Monday, 19 April 2027

World Marathon Major

Cape TownWestern CapeSouth Africa

Cape Town Marathon

The Cape Town Marathon is Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major, joining the series in 2027 as the eighth race. The scenic course starts and finishes at DHL Stadium with views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic coastline. With rolling terrain and around 205 metres of total climbing, it is the only AIMS Gold Label marathon on the continent and a landmark race for runners worldwide.

Next race: Sunday, 30 May 2027

World Marathon Major

ChicagoIllinoisUnited States

Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon winds through 29 diverse neighbourhoods of the Windy City. Known for its flat, fast course and enthusiastic Midwest crowds, Chicago has hosted landmark performances including Kelvin Kiptum's previous men's world record (2:00:35, 2023) and Ruth Chepngetich's all-time women's record (2:09:56, 2024). It remains a favourite for runners chasing Boston qualifying times.

Next race: Sunday, 10 October 2027

World Marathon Major

LondonEnglandUnited Kingdom

London Marathon

The TCS London Marathon is one of the world's most popular races, famous for its incredible charity fundraising and electric atmosphere. The fast course passes Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. With gentle undulations and around 127 metres of total climbing, it consistently produces fast times — including Sabastian Sawe's 1:59:30 men's world record and Tigst Assefa's 2:15:41 women's-only world record, both set at the 2026 race.

Next race: Saturday, 24 April 2027

World Marathon Major

New YorkNew YorkUnited States

New York City Marathon

The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, taking runners through all five boroughs — Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The course crosses five bridges and finishes in Central Park, delivering an unmatched big-city marathon experience.

Next race: Sunday, 7 November 2027

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Largest fields

Popular marathons

The largest races outside of the world marathon majors — big fields, big atmosphere, and well-established courses.

ParisÎle-de-FranceFrance

Paris Marathon

The Paris Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 54k finishers on an urban road in Paris, France. The course starts on the Champs-Élysées near the Arc de Triomphe and finishes on Avenue Foch. The route passes Place de la Bastille, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and the Bois de Vincennes. Mostly flat with gentle undulations; no major hills or cobblestone sections.

Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027

LanzhouGansuChina

Lanzhou Marathon

The Lanzhou Marathon is one of China's largest road races, drawing approximately 40k finishers along the Yellow River through Gansu's highland capital. Runners follow the riverside promenade past the Zhongshan Bridge, White Pagoda Mountain, and the iron bridge that symbolises Lanzhou's Silk Road heritage. The May race date and roughly 1,500 m elevation make it a distinctive western-China marathon where thin air and Yellow River views define the experience.

Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027

BeijingBeijingChina

Beijing Marathon

The Beijing Marathon is China's most prestigious road race, with approximately 30k finishers each October on a course linking the capital's iconic boulevards. Runners pass Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the Olympic Park on a flat route designed for fast times. The October race date and deep elite history make it the crown jewel of Chinese marathon running.

Next race: Sunday, 17 October 2027

OsakaOsakaJapan

Osaka Marathon

The Osaka Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 32k finishers on an urban road in Osaka, Japan. The course starts and finishes at Osaka Castle Park. The route passes Osaka Castle, Nakanoshima, Umeda, and Namba through central Osaka. Mostly flat with gentle undulations on bridge approaches over the city's rivers.

Next race: Sunday, 28 February 2027

ValenciaValencian CommunitySpain

Valencia Marathon

The Valencia Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing about 31,000 finishers on an urban road in Valencia, Spain. The course starts at Plaça de la Marató and finishes on a floating blue carpet at the City of Arts and Sciences. One of the world's fastest courses, with only about 16 metres between its lowest and highest points.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

DalianLiaoningChina

Dalian Marathon

The Dalian Marathon brings approximately 30k finishers each May to the Liaodong Peninsula's most cosmopolitan port. The coastal loop passes Xinghai Square — one of Asia's largest city squares — the Dalian waterfront, and forested coastal roads with Yellow Sea views. May's mild Liaoning spring and fresh sea breezes make it one of northeast China's most popular marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 9 May 2027

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Planning guides

Plan your next race

Practical guides on choosing a marathon, reading course profiles, and understanding the World Marathon Majors.

How to Choose Your First Marathon

How to Choose Your First Marathon

How to pick a debut 26.2 — course difficulty, field size, travel, entry timing, and what actually matters on race day.

Marathon Course Profiles Explained

Marathon Course Profiles Explained

What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.

World Marathon Majors Explained

World Marathon Majors Explained

What the Abbott World Marathon Majors are, the Six Star Medal, how entry works, and how to think about racing the big city marathons.

View all guides →

Still deciding where to run?

Search by country, month, or course type — and filter straight to the World Marathon Majors if that is what you are chasing.

Find a Marathon How to choose a marathon