The marathon trend is sweeping the globe, and even if you don’t love sports, you too may get swept up by the positive atmosphere and chance to inject your bucket list with some healthy living. Running marathons also gives you a great excuse to see more of the world, so there’s no time to lose – get yourself enrolled in one of these top ten marathons around the world, then get outside and start practising!
In no particular order, here are the six events comprising the Marathon Grand Slam, as well as four other exciting routes you should consider picking for your 2019 marathon run.
Berlin Marathon
Thanks to its flat terrain with barely any hills, Berlin is known as a great runner’s city, and its marathon route has earned a reputation as being the world’s fastest. Held in late September, it’s also known for mild weather, making it an ideal place for your first marathon or a good chance to break your last record. Records are routinely set and broken here, with last year’s winner of the men’s event smashing the previous world record, (also set in Berlin) by over a minute. Along the way, you will pass landmarks including the Reichstag, Opera House and Victory Column, before finally passing through the Brandenburg Gate – an epic way to finish off the occasion.
Date: 29 September 2019 (to be confirmed)
Cost: EUR 108
Official website: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/
Note: Wheelchair and handbike races are also held on the day of the marathon, while a version on rollerblades is held the day before. The atmosphere is equally as enthusiastic, so arrive a day early to cheer on the competitors!
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New York Marathon
Founded in 1970, the New York Marathon takes you through each of the city’s five boroughs, starting from Staten Island and ending in Manhattan, allowing you to experience the entirety of the Big Apple as you run. It’s also known to be very popular with Hollywood stars, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself running next to your favourite actors or celebrities!
Date: 3 November 2019
Fees: US Residents (New York Road Runners Member) – USD 255 / US Residents (non-NYRR members) – USD 295 / Overseas Entrants – USD 358
Official website: https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/
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Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo is an impressive city no matter what you do but running through it really puts it in a new perspective. As Asia’s sole representative amongst the top six events of the World Marathon Grand Slam, it has to stand out, and it does. Tokyo’s marathon is known as one of the world’s most difficult events, but don’t let that dissuade you. As well as offering a great challenge, this event will live long in the memory. Along your route from Shinjuku, passing through the Tokyo Tower, Ginza, Asakusa, and finishing at the Tokyo International Exhibition Hall in Odaiba, you’ll be regaled by many groups with music, dance, and folk performances to cheer you on and ease your suffering.
Date: 3 March 2019
Fee: Japanese residents – 10,800 yen / overseas contestants – 12,800 yen
Official website: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/
Note: The Tokyo Marathon also offers a 10km race, suitable for runners who are participating in the event for the first time.
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Boston Marathon
An annual event since 1897, The Boston Marathon is an historic event in more ways than one. As well as being the world’s oldest annual marathon, it was also the first to be opened to participation by women – finally conceding after years of heroic efforts by female runners to break down the barriers blocking them from entering. Since its first iteration, when there were just 15 participants, the marathon has blossomed into a huge event, attracting more than 30,000 runners each year, with notable participants including author and running enthusiast Haruki Murakami.
Date: 15 April 2019
Cost: $200 (US residents) / $250 (overseas participants)
Official website: https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon
Note: The Boston Marathon also includes half-marathon, 10km, 5km and relay races on different days. For details, please visit the official website.
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London Marathon
In addition to being a racing event, the London Marathon is also the world’s largest fundraising event, with many participants taking part to raise money for various charitable organisations, often in fancy dress. Previous runners have taken part dressed as characters from Shakespeare to Spider-Man, with robots, cartoon characters, gorillas on their hands and knees, and even couples in their wedding costumes running the race route side-by-side. Unfortunately, due to its massive demand, this is also one of the hardest marathons to enter, with would-be participants required to submit a ballot a year in advance to even stand a chance of taking part. That means 2019’s iteration is already closed, but it’s not too late to start planning for 2020!
Date: 28 April, 2019
Fees: Submission by ballot: UK residents – £39 / £80 for overseas participants
Official website: https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/
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Chicago Marathon
With flat terrain and wide streets, the Chicago Marathon is one of the less strenuous of the world’s top 6 events, as well as the most popular overall. It’s also a showcase for diversity, with a large proportion of female participants – up to 48% of in 2017. The race course itself passes through 29 different neighbourhoods, each with its own culture, feel and community offering support to the runners, including dragons and lions cheering for the contestants as they pass through Chinatown. Elsewhere, there will be splendid views of Chicago’s world-renowned skyline, with the architecture along the lakefront providing a stunning backdrop worthy of the occasion.
Date: 13 October 2019 (to be confirmed)
Fees: US residents – $195 / overseas contestants – $220
Official website: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/
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Swiss Jungfrau Marathon
Running a flat road not challenging enough for you? If you’re a seasoned runner in need of a test, it may be time to take on a mountain course. But before you leap into the Mont Blanc Ultramarathon (170km long and 10,000+ metres of elevation gain) you may want to start off with something a little less crazy – that’s where this event comes in. Known as the most beautiful marathon in the world, you’ll be amazed by the scenery as you scale the course winding through the Swiss Alps, with alpine horn players and even bagpipes cheering you on. Definitely an event for any runner’s bucket list.
Date: 7 or 8 September 2018 (to be confirmed)
Cost: CHF20 or CHF50, depending on the registration date
Official website: https://www.jungfrau-marathon.ch/en/
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Nagoya Women’s Marathon
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon, exclusively open to women, ‘runs’ things a little differently than some of the other marathons on this list. Rather than medals, participating runners receive Menard’s skincare kits, and contestants who complete the course will receive a special commemorative pendant from Tiffany & Co. Spiffy!
Date: 10 March 2019
Cost: 12,000 yen (six yen is required for the transaction fee, and 2,000 yen for the JTB fee)
Official website: http://womens-marathon.nagoya/en/outline/chinese2/
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Australian Gold Coast Marathon
If you’re looking for something a bit closer to home, the Gold Coast Marathon is a good place to start. With ocean views and temperatures averaging around 10 degrees, you won’t be too hot as you make your way around the Queensland coastline. Plus, what could be better to soothe some aching muscles after a tough day of running than a relaxing day at the beach?
Date: 6-7 July 2019
Cost: Australian and New Zealand residents – A$ 165 / Overseas entrants – A$ 185
Official website: https://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/
Note: As well as the full marathon, there are also other events including a half marathon, 10k, wheelchair race, and Junior Dash – a 4k event for kids. The entire event takes place over two days.
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Lake Constance – Three Countries Marathon
Lake Constance is known as the ‘Lake of Three Countries’, as it borders Germany, Switzerland and Austria. With its vast area – 536 square kilometres, this ‘lake’ is in reality more of an inland sea. Lake Constance is jointly managed by the three nations, and so is the marathon. With beautiful scenery and pleasant weather, the course is perfect for running, and finishing it will give you a unique boast – you’ll be able to say you’ve run across the borders of three countries with no passport. Where else can you do all that in one day?
Date: 7 October 7 2018 (2019 date not yet announced)
Cost: 60-78 Euro (depending on the registration date)
Official website: http://www.sparkasse-3-laender-marathon.at/en/home/
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A final note: Keep in mind, the marathons mentioned above include some of the world’s most popular and in-demand events. Registering for these events can of course be easier said than done – don’t be discouraged if you don’t make it in for next year. Look around, see where you can run this year, practise hard, and put your name in the hat for 2020!
These rates are based on search queries made on kayak.sg on 5 November 2018. The prices are quoted in SGD. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
