Top 10 Best Marathons: These iconic races blend breathtaking scenery, historic routes, elite competition, and inspiring human stories. From Boston’s hills to Tokyo’s precision, each marathon offers a unique test of endurance, culture, and spirit that defines long-distance running at its finest.
Established in 1897, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and a pinnacle of athletic tradition. Known for its challenging course—especially the infamous Heartbreak Hill—and strict qualifying standards, it attracts elite runners and passionate ... Show More
+ Comment ( 1 )+ Votes ( 2 )As the world’s largest marathon by participation, NYC welcomes over 50,000 runners from all corners of the globe each November. Starting on Staten Island and crossing all five boroughs—ending in Central Park—the course offers unparalleled urban theater: roaring ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Launched in 1981 by former Olympians Chris Brasher and John Disley, the London Marathon blends elite excellence with mass participation and charitable impact. Runners cross Tower Bridge, pass the Cutty Sark, and finish near Buckingham Palace—all cheered by nearly a ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Renowned as the world’s fastest marathon course, Berlin has been the stage for 12 world records—including Eliud Kipchoge’s historic sub-2-hour exhibition and his official 2:01:09 mark. Held each September, its pancake-flat route winds through wide, tree-lined avenues ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Chicago’s motto—“Why not?”—captures its open, fast, and festive spirit. Held each October on a flat, looped course through 29 vibrant neighborhoods, it’s a favorite for first-timers and elites seeking personal bests. The race has produced multiple world records, ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Since joining the World Marathon Majors in 2013, Tokyo has dazzled with its precision, politeness, and pageantry. Runners glide past imperial palaces, neon-lit districts, and serene temples, all amid impeccably organized aid stations staffed by bowing volunteers. Japanese ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Tracing the legendary route of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens, this race is steeped in myth and meaning. Covering 42.195 km along the Sacred Way, runners pass ancient ruins, olive groves, and coastal vistas before finishing in the Panathenaic Stadium—the only marble ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Paris transforms into a moving gallery each April, as runners glide past the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre on one of Europe’s most scenic courses. Known for its elegance and festive atmosphere, the race blends athleticism with joie de vivre—live bands, ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )One of the world’s toughest marathons, this race challenges runners with over 5,000 stone steps along crumbling sections of China’s Great Wall. Held each May near Beijing, it combines extreme elevation gain, humidity, and uneven terrain—testing balance, grit, and ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Though technically an ultramarathon (approx. 90 km), Comrades belongs on any list of great endurance events. Run annually between Durban and Pietermaritzburg since 1921, it alternates directions each year (“up” or “down”) and honors South African soldiers lost in ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )