The World’s Best Marathons 2026

For UK runners with a thirst for adventure and a passion for ambitious goals, is 2026 shaping up to be a standout year? Whether you’re preparing for your first marathon or eyeing an ultra that both excites and intimidates, the global race calendar is filled with events designed to challenge, inspire, and stay with you long after the finish line.

The momentum from 2025 has only strengthened that spirit, New York City welcomed another record-breaking field, and London continued to reinforce its status as the world’s most impactful fundraising race. All signs point to 2026 pushing the sport even further, with more runners, more stories, and more people discovering how running can be a catalyst for confidence, freedom, and meaningful change.

Many runners take on a marathon to support a cause, but whatever your motivation, whether you’re seeking a once-in-a-lifetime challenge, pursuing a dream time, testing your limits, or exploring the world one race at a time, running a marathon has never been only about covering 26.2 miles.

It’s about the transformation that happens in training: the discipline you build, the resilience you strengthen, and the purpose that carries you forward. Pair that with the chance to discover extraordinary destinations, from Europe’s historic capitals to the rugged trails around Mont Blanc and running becomes a travel experience that lingers long after the medal is hung up.

This guide takes you through ancient cities, desert expanses, mountain passes, and even the Great Wall of China. Whether you’re searching for a fast course to chase a personal best or an ultramarathon, the races of 2026 offer the inspiration and motivation to elevate your year of running.

European Marathons

There’s nothing quite like exploring Europe at running pace. These iconic marathons blend culture, scenery, history and crowd energy, all wrapped into a weekend adventure. From flat and fast PB courses to atmospheric city routes filled with character, here are the European favourites for 2026.

Barcelona Marathon

• Date: 15^th March 2026
• Entrance Fee: €70–€100
• Fly to: Barcelona–El Prat Airport
• zurichmaratobarcelona.es/en/

Why run it?
Barcelona offers reliable spring sunshine, Mediterranean breezes, and a fast, runner-friendly course with views of the Sagrada Família and strong crowd support. The Marató Barcelona was first held in 1978, the race blends rich history, distinctive architecture, and an inviting coastal climate to create a destination marathon that feels like a reward in itself.

Rome Marathon

• Date: 22^nd March 2026
• Entrance Fee: €60–€95
• Fly to: Fiumicino Airport
• runromethemarathon.com/

Why run it?
Rome delivers a marathon that moves through the heart of ancient history, cobblestone avenues, imperial monuments, and iconic landmarks including the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, and Vatican City.

The course blends atmospheric streets with grand vistas, creating a rhythm that is both scenic and deeply emotional. With a finish that feels like stepping into a postcard, the Rome Marathon stands out as a timeless, culturally rich, bucket-list race.

Paris Marathon

• Date: 12^th April 2026
• Entrance Fee: €120–€150
• Fly to: Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport
• schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/en

Why run it?
Paris offers a marathon experience defined by iconic scenery and cultural allure, guiding runners from the Champs-Élysées and along the Seine past many of the city’s most celebrated landmarks. With more than 50,000 participants, the atmosphere is vibrant yet welcoming, and the race naturally pairs with a city break that showcases world-class museums, cafés, and neighbourhoods ripe for exploration.

Easily accessible from the UK, the Paris Marathon combines athletic challenge with the pleasure of discovering one of the world’s most famous and captivating cities.

London Marathon

• Date: 26^th April 2026
• Entrance Fee: £70 (UK residents) / Approx. £140 (international entrants)
• londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon

Why run it?
London offers an iconic marathon experience: a flat, fast course paired with some of the most enthusiastic crowd support in the world. From the electric atmosphere at Tower Bridge to the historic finish on The Mall, the race blends personal achievement with the thrill of running through one of the globe’s most recognisable capitals.

Whether you’re fundraising, aiming for a personal best, or simply eager to take in London’s landmark-filled route, this is a marathon every runner should experience at least once.

Berlin Marathon

• Date: 27^th September 2026
• Entrance Fee: €145
• Fly to: Berlin Brandenburg Airport
• bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/

Why run it?
Berlin is synonymous with speed, offering a world-record course, smooth roads, and cool September conditions that make it one of the best places on the planet to chase a personal best. As one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors since 2006, it combines global prestige with the thrill of running through a city rich in modern history.

The iconic finish beneath the Brandenburg Gate, one of running’s most celebrated moments, cements Berlin as a must-run event for athletes seeking both performance and an unforgettable setting.

Amsterdam Marathon

• Date: 18^th October 2026
• Entrance Fee: €100–€110
• Fly to: Schiphol Airport
• https://www.tcsamsterdammarathon.eu/

Why run it?
Amsterdam offers a flat, friendly, and strikingly scenic marathon experience, guiding runners along canal-side paths, historic streets, and vibrant neighbourhoods before culminating in a memorable finish inside the Olympic Stadium.

With almost 60,000 participants across the weekend, the event pairs a lively international atmosphere with the charm of a cultural city break, making it an ideal choice for runners eager to combine performance with exploration in one of Europe’s most inviting destinations.

Athens Classic Marathon

• Date: 9^th November 2026
• Entrance Fee: €95
• Fly to: Athens International Airport
• tcsamsterdammarathon.eu/

Why run it?
The Athens Marathon offers the rare chance to follow the original route from Marathon to Athens, culminating in an unforgettable finish inside the historic Panathenaic Stadium.

The course is challenging and hilly, but its sense of legacy and atmosphere make it feel genuinely heroic, an experience that blends endurance with the thrill of running through the cradle of ancient history.

Global Marathons for the Bucket List (2026)

For adventurous runners, international races offer so much more than a medal. These events take you through iconic skylines, remote landscapes, and cultures you might never experience otherwise. If running helps you feel more connected to the world, these are your must-run races.

Boston Marathon (USA)

• Date: 20^th April 2026
• Entrance Fee: $240 (US residents) / $260 (international)
• Fly to: Boston Logan Airport
• baa.org/races/boston-marathon/

Why run it?
Boston represents the ultimate benchmark in marathon running—prestigious, hard-won, and deeply iconic. Qualifying is an achievement in itself, and the atmosphere on course, especially at Heartbreak Hill, is unforgettable.

New York City Marathon (USA)

• Date: 1^st November 2026
• Entrance Fee: $315
• Fly to: JFK or LaGuardia Airport
• nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon

Why run it?
New York City delivers an unparalleled marathon experience and broke records as the largest in the world. Five boroughs, one iconic finish, and an atmosphere defined by energy, skyline views, and crowd support that feels genuinely emotional. A true bucket-list giant.

Tokyo Marathon (Japan)

• Date: 1^st March 2026
• Entrance Fee: ¥23,000
• Fly to: Haneda, Narita Airport
• marathon.tokyo/en/about/outline/

Why run it?
Tokyo delivers a marathon experience defined by exceptional organisation, vibrant neon skylines, historic shrines, and some of the most enthusiastic spectators in the world. A World Marathon Major with a distinctly cultural character.v

Comrades Marathon (South Africa)

• Date: 14^th June 2026
• Entrance Fee: ZAR 1,600–2,200
• Fly to: King Shaka International Airport
• https://www.comrades.com/

Why run it?
Comrades stands as a 90km tribute to grit, camaraderie, and a legacy that spans generations, with its alternating “up” and “down” runs delivering formidable yet unforgettable experiences.

Great Wall Marathon (China)

• Date: 16 May 2026
• Entrance Fee: From $750 (usually includes local tour package)
• Fly to: Beijing Capital International Airport
• https://great-wall-marathon.com/

Why run it?
Running the Great Wall offers a rare blend of dramatic vistas, steep ascents, and cultural immersion, resulting in a challenging yet exhilarating marathon that stands out as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Ultramarathons 2026

For runners who want to go further ultras offer a powerful blend of wilderness, self-belief and pure adventure. These events push your limits and reward you with views, friendships and memories that outlast any medal.

Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)

• Date: 31^st August – 6^th September 2026
• Entrance Fee: €330–€380
• Fly to: Geneva or Lyon Airport
• https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/UTMB

Why run it?
Recognised as one of the world’s most iconic trail races, UTMB spans three countries and navigates demanding alpine terrain, offering a remarkable blend of endurance and mountain grandeur. Gaining entry is intentionally challenging, which only adds to the prestige of taking on this exceptional test of trail running.

Marathon des Sables (Morocco)

• Date: 10–18 April 2026
• Entrance Fee: €3,300
• Fly to: Ouarzazate Airport
• https://marathondessables.com/en/event/mds-legendary-2026

Why run it?
Spanning six days and roughly 250km, the self-supported journey across the Sahara makes the Marathon des Sables one of the toughest endurance events in the world—an unparalleled test of grit, resilience, and self-reliance. The 2026 edition marks the race’s 40th anniversary, adding an extra layer of significance to this already legendary challenge.

Western States 100 (USA)

• Date: 27^th – 28^th June 2026
• Entrance Fee: $420
• Fly to: Reno-Tahoe or Sacramento Airport
• https://www.wser.org/

Why run it?
As the original 100-miler, Western States stands as a legendary Californian trail race defined by rugged canyons, river crossings, and intense mountain heat. It is tough, iconic, and deeply respected within the global ultrarunning community, earning its status as one of the sport’s most enduring challenges.

Badwater 135 (USA)

• Date: 20–22 July 2026
• Entrance Fee: $1,595
• Fly to: Las Vegas Airport
• https://www.badwater.com/

Why run it?
Set in the extreme heat of Death Valley in midsummer, Badwater is both brutally demanding and strikingly beautiful, an event whose severity is matched only by its allure. Widely regarded as the hardest foot race in the world, it embodies the ultimate test of endurance, resilience, and determination.

Is 2026 your most adventurous year yet?

Whether you’re exploring a new city or tackling a course that pushes you beyond your comfort zone, this is where the real magic of endurance begins. The 2026 calendar of marathons and ultramarathons brings together travel, challenge, culture, and remarkable physical achievement, experiences that become the stories you carry for a lifetime.

If you’re ready to test your limits, the year ahead offers countless opportunities to go further, grow stronger, and see the world from an entirely new perspective.

Lace up, your next big adventure starts now.

Get Marathon Running or Ultramarathon Insurance from SportsCover Direct

Running a marathon pushes your body and mind to their limits and finishing one is an incredible accomplishment. But getting there isn’t always simple. Travel hiccups can happen, and there’s always a chance your luggage being lost, stolen or damaged in transit.

At SportsCover Direct, our marathon insurance can protect you against unexpected incidents during your trip and even compensate you for entry fees if your chosen marathon is cancelled.

You’ll find essential marathon cover for your trip including emergency medical cover, repatriation, search and rescue, cancellation, sports equipment, delayed baggage, personal accident, race fees and much more.

Find out more about marathon or ultramarathon insurance policies.

This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation.