Marathons in December 2026: Dates & Courses

38 marathons in our catalog are typically held in December. Compare 2026 course profiles, start times, and route guides for each race below. See best time of year to run a marathon for how December compares across the calendar.

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates🇦🇪

Abu Dhabi Marathon

The Abu Dhabi Marathon is a world-class elite event launched in 2018, attracting top international runners and a few thousand finishers on a fast desert-city course. The route passes the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque approach, the Corniche waterfront, and Yas Island connectors. December cool mornings and dead-flat terrain make it a record-eligible race in the UAE capital.

Next race: Saturday, 5 December 2026

Memphis, Tennessee, United States🇺🇸

St. Jude Memphis Marathon

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend draws approximately 1,846 marathon finishers each December through Tennessee's blues capital while raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The course passes Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Mississippi River bluffs on rolling Memphis terrain. December's mild Mid-South winter and the hospital's lifesaving mission make it America's most charitable marathon.

Next race: Saturday, 5 December 2026

Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan🇯🇵

Aoshima Pacific Marathon

The Aoshima Pacific Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each December on a coastal urban road in Miyazaki, Japan. Its warm southern-Japan setting makes it a popular contrast to colder mainland December races. The route passes palm-lined boulevards, Aoshima approaches, and broad roads under a subtropical coastal sky. Palm-lined boulevards and Aoshima approaches unfold under a subtropical coastal sky on a warm southern-Japan December course with only light grade changes.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India🇮🇳

Chandigarh Fast Marathon

The Chandigarh Fast Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each December on an urban road in Chandigarh, India. The city layout naturally produces one of India's straighter and flatter marathon courses. The route passes sector boulevards, green medians, and the wide geometry of Le Corbusier's planned city. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Dongguan, Guangdong, China🇨🇳

Dongguan Marathon

The Dongguan Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each December on an urban road in Dongguan, China. Fast roads and warm winter weather make it a popular delta-season race. The route passes city parks, lakeside areas, and the broad boulevards of the Pearl River Delta manufacturing hub. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Fuzhou, Fujian, China🇨🇳

Fuzhou Marathon

The Fuzhou Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers each December on a riverside urban road in Fuzhou, China. Its low-profile, flat course makes it a strong winter option in southeast China. The route passes the Min River, hot-spring city boulevards, and modern riverfront development zones. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China🇨🇳

Guangzhou Marathon

The Guangzhou Marathon attracts approximately 20k finishers each December through the Pearl River Delta's largest city. The course passes the Canton Tower, Zhujiang New Town CBD, and the Pearl River (Zhujiang) waterfront on wide subtropical boulevards. December's mild Guangdong winter and flat terrain make it a popular year-end race in south China.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam🇻🇳

Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon

The Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers each December on an urban road in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It is one of Vietnam's most international full marathons. The route passes District 1 boulevards, Saigon River sections, and modern bridges across the fast-growing city. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Hofu, Yamaguchi, Japan🇯🇵

Hofu Yomiuri Marathon

The Hofu Yomiuri Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each December on an urban road in Hofu, Japan. It has long been respected in Japan as a serious late-year performance marathon. The route passes wide Yamaguchi plain roads, shrine-town approaches, and efficient straight sections designed for speed. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, United States🇺🇸

Kiawah Island Marathon

The Kiawah Island Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each December on a resort island road in Kiawah Island, United States. Its quiet island setting feels markedly different from a big-city winter marathon. The course passes maritime forest roads, lagoons, golf fairways, and glimpses of boardwalks near the Atlantic. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Kolkata, West Bengal, India🇮🇳

Kolkata Marathon

The Kolkata Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers each December through West Bengal's cultural capital on the Hooghly River. The course passes the Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge approach, and the Maidan parklands with views of colonial-era architecture. December's dry, mild Kolkata winter makes it one of eastern India's most pleasant road races.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Kunming, Yunnan, China🇨🇳

Kunming Marathon

The Kunming Marathon attracts approximately 15k finishers each December in Yunnan's 'Spring City' at roughly 1,900 m altitude. The course passes Dianchi Lake, the Western Hills, and the Green Lake Park district on a sunny plateau loop. December's mild highland winter — when northern China is freezing — makes Kunming one of China's most pleasant year-end marathons despite the altitude.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain🇪🇸

Lanzarote Marathon

The Lanzarote Marathon draws about 2,800 finishers each December through the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands. The course passes Timanfaya National Park approaches, black-lava fields, and Atlantic coastal roads with views unique to this UNESCO geopark island. December warm Canary Islands weather and otherworldly terrain make it an unforgettable destination marathon.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Catania, Sicily, Italy🇮🇹

Maratona di Catania

The Maratona di Catania draws approximately 1,500 finishers each December on a coastal urban road in Catania, Italy. Views toward Mount Etna make the race visually unmistakable. The route passes Ionian waterfront roads and city sections with Etna in the distance. Ionian waterfront roads and city sections with Mount Etna in the distance make December's Sicilian race visually unmistakable on a mostly flat coastal route.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Pisa, Tuscany, Italy🇮🇹

Maratona di Pisa

The Maratona di Pisa follows a flat December course through Tuscany's famous university city, with the Leaning Tower visible near the start and finish. About 3,500 runners complete a loop along the Arno River and through the historic centre each year. December's mild Tuscan weather and dead-flat terrain make it a popular winter marathon in Italy.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy🇮🇹

Maratona di Reggio Emilia

The Maratona di Reggio Emilia draws approximately 3,000 finishers each December on an urban road in Reggio Emilia, Italy. It is a serious late-season performance race with a strong domestic reputation. The course passes straight Emilia-Romagna roads, historic squares, and flat city sections. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Matsue, Shimane, Japan🇯🇵

Matsue Castle Marathon

The Matsue Castle Marathon draws approximately 3,000 finishers each December on a historic city road in Matsue, Japan. It is one of the few Japanese marathons whose identity centers squarely on a surviving feudal castle. The course passes Matsue Castle, Lake Shinji approaches, and canal-side streets through the old castle town. Matsue Castle, Lake Shinji approaches, and canal-side streets carry December's race through one of Japan's few marathons centered on a surviving feudal castle.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Matsusaka, Mie, Japan🇯🇵

Mie Matsusaka Marathon

The Mie Matsusaka Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers each December on an urban and rural road in Matsusaka, Japan. Local food culture is a major part of the race identity and post-race atmosphere. The route passes castle-town streets, open countryside, and roads linked to the city famous for Matsusaka beef. Castle-town streets and open countryside linked to Matsusaka beef carry December's race through a region where local food culture shapes the post-race atmosphere.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Naha, Okinawa, Japan🇯🇵

Naha Marathon

The Naha Marathon brings roughly 14,000 runners to Okinawa's capital each December for a subtropical marathon experience unique in Japan. The course runs along the East China Sea coast and through Naha's urban centre with warm winter temperatures and ocean breezes. For runners seeking a December marathon in shorts and a vest, Naha is Japan's answer.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Nanning, Guangxi, China🇨🇳

Nanning Marathon

The Nanning Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each December on an urban road in Nanning, China. Winter timing lets the race use southern China's warmth as an advantage instead of a heat penalty. The course passes the Yong River, subtropical greenery, and wide roads through the Guangxi capital. The Yong River, subtropical greenery, and wide Guangxi capital roads make December's southern warmth an advantage on this mostly flat winter course.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Nara, Japan🇯🇵

Nara Marathon

The Nara Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each December on a historic urban road through Japan's ancient capital. The route passes temple precinct approaches, the Nara Park edge, and roads with glimpses of wooded hills above the old city. Modest climbs through the middle miles reward runners with shifting views of shrines, deer-filled parkland, and Nara's rolling skyline.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Penang, Penang, Malaysia🇲🇾

Penang Bridge International Marathon

The Penang Bridge International Marathon draws approximately 6,000 finishers each December on a bridge and coastal road in Penang, Malaysia. The bridge crossing gives the event one of the most memorable structural landmarks in Asian road racing. The course passes the long Penang Bridge, island-side roads, and night-race views over the strait. Rolling terrain with bridge climbs is a feature of the course.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Phoenix, Arizona, United States🇺🇸

Phoenix Marathon

The Phoenix Marathon draws approximately 2,372 finishers each December on a desert urban road in Phoenix, United States. Organizers of the Mesa Marathon launched this December sibling race, which exceeded 2,300 marathon finishers in its first edition. The course runs from South Mountain through the Salt River trail corridor, downtown past the Arizona State Capitol and ASU Downtown, Hance Park, and midtown streets. South Mountain descents, Salt River trails, and downtown streets past the Arizona Capitol carry December's desert marathon through Phoenix on a largely flat route.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Pune, Maharashtra, India🇮🇳

Pune International Marathon

The Pune International Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each December on an urban road in Pune, India. It has deep roots in Indian road racing and remains one of the country's traditional full marathons. The route passes cantonment roads, university areas, and broad avenues across the old military-and-education city. Cantonment roads, university areas, and broad avenues climb through the old military-and-education city that anchors Indian road-racing tradition.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Huntsville, Alabama, United States🇺🇸

Rocket City Marathon

The Rocket City Marathon draws approximately 2,200 finishers each December on an urban road in Huntsville, United States. Few U.S. races lean into aerospace identity as fully as this long-running Alabama marathon. The course passes the U.S. Space & Rocket Center district, older neighborhoods, and broad roads under the Appalachian foothills. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center district, older neighborhoods, and broad roads under Appalachian foothills carry December's Alabama marathon deep into aerospace identity.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Sacramento, California, United States🇺🇸

Sacramento Marathon

The Sacramento Marathon — universally known as the California International Marathon (CIM) — draws approximately 4,000 finishers each December on a fast point-to-point road from Folsom to downtown Sacramento. The net-downhill course drops roughly 103 metres through the Sierra Nevada foothills before finishing on Capitol Mall in front of the California State Capitol. Cool early-December weather and a USATF-certified profile make it one of the most reliable Boston-qualifier races in the western United States.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

San Antonio, Texas, United States🇺🇸

San Antonio Marathon

The San Antonio Marathon draws approximately 3,342 finishers each December on an urban road in San Antonio, United States. It launched in 2025 as a local replacement for the discontinued Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio Marathon and drew more than 3,300 marathon finishers in its debut. The course passes the Alamo, the River Walk, historic missions, and South Texas neighborhoods before looping back through the city core. Gentle rollers through mission-country roads and River Walk approaches break up otherwise steady pacing across South Texas neighborhoods.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan🇯🇵

Shonan International Marathon

The Shonan International Marathon attracts around 16,000 runners each December along the Sagami Bay coast between Hiratsuka and Kamakura. The course offers Pacific Ocean views, Enoshima Island vistas, and the relaxed beach-town atmosphere of the Shōnan region south of Tokyo. December's cool coastal weather and rolling seaside terrain make it a favourite winter marathon for Kanto-area runners.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Singapore, Singapore, Singapore🇸🇬

Singapore Marathon

The Singapore Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers on an urban road in Singapore, Singapore. The course starts at the F1 Pit Building and finishes at The Float @ Marina Bay. The route passes Gardens by the Bay, Orchard Road, and the Marina Bay waterfront. Mostly flat with short climbs on expressway ramps.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Goa, Goa, India🇮🇳

SKF Goa River Marathon

The SKF Goa River Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each December on a scenic riverside road in Goa, India. It is one of India's most scenic river marathons and has grown from a local club race into a major festival. The route passes Zuari River overlooks, village roads, and bridge approaches through lush Goan scenery. Zuari River overlooks, village roads, and bridge approaches climb through lush Goan scenery on one of India's most scenic river marathons.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Tucson, Arizona, United States🇺🇸

Tucson Marathon

The Tucson Marathon draws approximately 1,800 finishers each December on a desert point-to-point road in Tucson, United States. The race combines dry desert air with a long net drop that keeps it popular for late-year qualifiers. The course passes saguaro-dotted desert roads, Catalina foothill views, and broad urban boulevards into the city. The route is net downhill overall.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain🇪🇸

Valencia Marathon

The Valencia Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 29k finishers on an urban road in Valencia, Spain. The course starts and finishes at the City of Arts and Sciences. One of Europe's fastest courses, with no significant hills.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China🇨🇳

Wenzhou Marathon

The Wenzhou Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each December on an urban road in Wenzhou, China. Its combination of river scenery and warm winter timing suits southeast-coast marathoners. The route passes the Ou River, modern financial districts, and bridges linking the city's river islands. The Ou River, modern financial districts, and bridges linking river islands define a warm December southeast-coast course with only minor grade changes.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Zhangzhou, Fujian, China🇨🇳

Zhangzhou Marathon

The Zhangzhou Marathon draws approximately 8,000 finishers each December on an urban road in Zhangzhou, China. It benefits from south Fujian's reliably gentle winter weather. The course passes Fujian riverfront sections, temple-city streets, and newer development boulevards. Fujian riverfront sections, temple-city streets, and newer development boulevards benefit from south Fujian's gentle December weather on a largely flat course.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Zhuhai, Guangdong, China🇨🇳

Zhuhai Marathon

The Zhuhai Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 15k finishers each December on a scenic coastal road in Zhuhai, China. The long oceanfront mileage makes it one of China's most scenic coastal road marathons. The course passes the Lovers' Road seafront, island views, and sleek coastal skyline sections facing Macau. The course is very flat throughout.

Next race: Sunday, 6 December 2026

Dallas, Texas, United States🇺🇸

Dallas Marathon

The Dallas Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in Dallas, United States. The course starts and finishes at Dallas City Hall. The route passes Dealey Plaza, White Rock Lake, and the Katy Trail. Mostly flat with gentle undulations.

Next race: Sunday, 13 December 2026

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States🇺🇸

Honolulu Marathon

The Honolulu Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 18k finishers on a scenic coastal road in Honolulu, United States. The course starts before dawn on Ala Moana Boulevard in Waikiki and finishes in Kapiolani Park near Diamond Head. Hilly in the second half, with the biggest climbs between miles 18 and 23.

Next race: Sunday, 13 December 2026

Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan🇹🇼

Taipei Marathon

The Taipei Marathon draws approximately 9,000 finishers on an urban road in Taipei, Taiwan. The course starts and finishes at Taipei City Hall. The route passes Taipei 101, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Keelung River embankment. Mostly flat with minor rises on river bridges.

Next race: Sunday, 20 December 2026