World Marathon MajorNew YorkNew YorkUnited StatesNew York City MarathonThe TCS 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, 1 November 2026
JohannesburgGautengSouth AfricaSoweto MarathonThe Soweto Marathon is one of Africa's largest marathons, drawing about 35,000 finishers each November through Johannesburg's historic Soweto township. The course passes the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street (home of Mandela and Tutu), and FNB Stadium. November summer weather and powerful historical symbolism make it South Africa's most significant mass-participation marathon.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
ToyamaToyamaJapanToyama MarathonThe Toyama Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 13k finishers each November on a bay-to-city road in Toyama, Japan. Clear-weather views of the Northern Alps are the signature visual payoff of the race. The route passes Toyama Bay views, river crossings, and long roads with the Tateyama mountain range as a backdrop. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
FoshanGuangdongChinaFoshan MarathonThe Foshan Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each November on an urban road in Foshan, China. It showcases Foshan's martial-arts and ceramics heritage within a fast Pearl River Delta course. The course passes Lingnan-style cultural landmarks, riverside sections, and broad delta-city roads. The course is very flat throughout.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
HangzhouZhejiangChinaHangzhou MarathonThe Hangzhou Marathon attracts approximately 12k finishers each November along the West Lake (Xihu) UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The course passes the Broken Bridge, Leifeng Pagoda, and the Qiantang River with views of willow-lined shores and misty Jiangnan hills. November's golden autumn light on West Lake makes it one of China's most poetically scenic marathons.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
LinyiShandongChinaLinyi MarathonThe Linyi Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each October on an urban road in Linyi, China. Its riverfront urban planning gives the course a spacious feel. The route passes the Yi River, new riverside districts, and broad roads in one of Shandong's largest inland cities. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
SeoulSeoulSouth KoreaSeoul MarathonThe Seoul Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers each November on an urban road in Seoul, South Korea. It is a separate mass-participation autumn race from the spring Seoul International Marathon (https://www.marathonfocus.com/marathons/seoul-international-marathon). The route passes Han River sections, central boulevards, and skyline-heavy roads through the capital. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
IstanbulTurkeyIstanbul MarathonThe Istanbul Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 11k finishers on an urban road in Istanbul, Turkey. The course starts on the Asian side and finishes in Sultanahmet on the European side — the only intercontinental marathon. The route crosses the Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge) around kilometre 15. Mostly flat on both continents with a climb on the bridge.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
JiaxingZhejiangChinaJiaxing MarathonThe Jiaxing Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each November on a water-town urban road in Jiaxing, China. Its low elevation and flat geometry suit consistent pacing. The route passes canal areas, lake-adjacent roads, and modern streets in the Yangtze Delta water country. The course is very flat throughout.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
YantaiShandongChinaYantai MarathonThe Yantai Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each October on a scenic coastal road in Yantai, China. Ocean scenery gives it a more open feel than many inland Chinese marathons. The route passes Yellow Sea shoreline sections, seaside parks, and harbor districts along the Shandong coast. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
ShimonosekiYamaguchiJapanShimonoseki Kaikyo MarathonThe Shimonoseki Kaikyo Marathon draws approximately 9,000 finishers each November on a harbor road in Shimonoseki, Japan. The narrow strait setting gives the race a dramatic maritime character from start to finish. The course passes Kanmon Strait waterfronts, fishing-port districts, and repeated sea views toward Kitakyushu. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
AucklandNew ZealandAuckland MarathonThe Auckland Marathon draws approximately 7,000 finishers on an urban road in Auckland, New Zealand. The course starts at Devonport and finishes at Victoria Park in the city centre, crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge.Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
NanjingJiangsuChinaNanjing MarathonThe Nanjing Marathon draws approximately 20k finishers each November through the ancient capital on the Yangtze River. The course passes the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum approach, Xuanwu Lake, the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, and the Confucius Temple district. November's cool Jiangnan autumn and flat terrain showcase Nanjing's blend of imperial history and modern development.Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026
HefeiAnhuiChinaHefei MarathonThe Hefei Marathon attracts approximately 15k finishers each November through Anhui province's capital on the shores of Chao Lake. The course passes Swan Lake CBD, the Baohe River, and the Anhui Museum district on wide central-China boulevards. November's crisp Anhui autumn and flat terrain make it the province's flagship road race.Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026
AthensGreeceAthens MarathonThe Athens Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k finishers on a historic urban road in Athens, Greece. The course runs from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens — the original 490 BC route. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026
OkayamaOkayamaJapanOkayama MarathonThe Okayama Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 14k 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
FukuokaFukuokaJapanFukuoka MarathonThe Fukuoka Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers each November on an urban to coastal road in Fukuoka, Japan. It is Fukuoka's large citizen marathon and should not be confused with the separate elite international race. The course passes Tenjin, seaside roads, and long views across Hakata Bay before the coastal finish. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026
NiceProvence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurFranceMarathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-CannesThe Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes is a spectacular point-to-point along the French Riviera, drawing about 6,500 runners each November from Nice to Cannes. The course follows the Moyenne Corniche and coastal roads with Mediterranean views, passing Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Antibes. It is one of Europe's most scenic coastal marathons.Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026
NantesPays de la LoireFranceMarathon de NantesThe Marathon de Nantes attracts about 5,000 finishers each November through western France's largest city. The course passes the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the Loire River, and the Île de Nantes district on flat Atlantic-coast terrain. November crisp weather and a historic city-centre route make it the Loire-Atlantique's premier marathon.Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026
KobeHyogoJapanKobe MarathonThe Kobe Marathon draws around 18,000 runners each November on a course that celebrates the port city's recovery and waterfront identity. The route crosses the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge area and follows Kobe's harbourfront with views of the Rokko mountains and Osaka Bay. Kobe's mild autumn climate and enthusiastic local crowds make it one of western Japan's most popular marathons.Next race: Sunday, 15 November 2026
ChangshaHunanChinaChangsha MarathonThe Changsha Marathon draws approximately 12k finishers each October through Hunan province's spicy-food capital on the Xiang River. The course passes Orange Isle (Júzi Zhōu), the Yuelu Mountain foothills, and the IFS skyscraper district on a flat loop through central China. October's mild Hunan autumn and Xiang River views make it a popular central-China race.Next race: Sunday, 15 November 2026
PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUnited StatesPhiladelphia MarathonThe Philadelphia Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers on an urban road in Philadelphia, United States. The course starts and finishes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — the 'Rocky Steps'. The route passes Independence Hall, the Schuylkill River trail, and Boathouse Row. Mostly flat along the river with gentle undulations.Next race: Saturday, 21 November 2026
VeronaVenetoItalyVerona MarathonThe Verona Marathon attracts about 6,000 runners each November through the city of Romeo and Juliet. The course passes the Arena di Verona Roman amphitheatre, the Adige River, and the historic centre before a finish in Piazza Bra. November autumn weather and a largely flat profile make it one of northern Italy's most popular marathons.Next race: Sunday, 22 November 2026
BangkokThailandBangkok MarathonThe Bangkok Marathon draws approximately 10k finishers on an urban road in Bangkok, Thailand. The course starts and finishes at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace. The route passes Wat Pho, Chinatown, and Lumpini Park. Mostly flat in the tropical heat, with minor bridge crossings over canals.Next race: Sunday, 29 November 2026
