Top 7 Most Recommended Marathons in the World
The marathon is one of the toughest challenges for any runner. The marathon originates from Greece and challenges athletes to run 26.2 miles. The marathon is well known for being a tough and emotional journey for many. The current record stands at two hours and one minute and looks to be broken again in the near future.
This top seven list is comprised of marathons from all over the world that have been voted by runners as a great race but have that extra special something to keep the miles rolling.
Great Ocean Road Marathon – Victoria, Australia
Set in arguably the most beautiful scenery in the world, the Great Ocean Road Marathon takes you on a journey down the coast line of Lorne and Apollo Bay. The race is well known for its hilly course and its exposure to the high winds blowing in from the ocean. The race itself is actually over 27 miles (more than a standard marathon) however, you will receive a time at 26.2 miles. If the breath taking scenery wasn’t enough to convince you to enter here is a short review from one of the runners last year.
“The race starts in Lorne and ends in Apollo Bay. It's spectacular scenery all the way and because there are only 1500 odd entrants in the full marathon, it's never too squishy at the start, but always enough runners so you never feel isolated. Being held in May in Victoria the weather will never be hot (which is a good thing); this year was absolutely perfect running weather, clear skies, mild weather and no rain.
Drink stations are fairly regular, more or less 5Km intervals. Water / sport drink gets handed out individually by the volunteers in paper cups. Usually porta loos at the drink stations too. The scenery is steep cliff on the left, with million-dollar view of the ocean and forest on the right. Amazing really. Everyone should run/drive this road at least once.
It's a hilly, windy stretch of road, but the hills are actually not too bad; there's only two steep bits, at Mount Defiance and Cape Patton. The trick is to go steady on the up hills and smash the downhill. If you work too hard on the uphill you'll be wrecked at the top and not be able to take advantage of the other side. In any case the last 10Km or so is quite flat. The race finishes in Apollo Bay and you might overtake some of the slow halfers near the end (but we are all in it together!). This was my 8th marathon and I actually thought it was my easiest, despite the hills I was only 3 minutes off my PB from Tokyo”.
This year the race will take place on Sunday 19thMay.
Berlin Marathon – Berlin, Germany
Berlin marathon needs no introduction. If you are looking to do your PB in a marathon, book your plane ticket to Berlin tonight. The current marathon record set by Eliud Kipchoge in a time of 2:01:39 is the fastest recorded in human history. However, it doesn’t stop there the previous 5 marathon world records have been achieved on the same course. The reason for these amazing world record times comes down to the flat and corner-less course. This provides a runner to run at a more consistent level and avoid having to put the extra effort in when it comes to a hill or elevation.
Here is a little extract of what Kipchoge said after his race. ““I have the fastest marathon. But it is not the fastest marathon,” he said before the race, referring to his unratified 2:00:25 at the Nike Breaking2 project last year. He gave himself an extra place in history today by breaking the world record by the biggest margin in more than 50 years, when Derek Clayton broke it by 2 minutes and 24 seconds in 1967.
Next Berlin Marathon – Sunday 29thSeptember 2019
Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon – Loch Ness, Scotland
The Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon is quite possibly one of the most stunning marathons in the world. With spectacular scenery, fantastic atmosphere and a truly memorable experience – it’s no wonder it was voted in the top 10 UK marathons by Runner’s World readers in 2016 and is on the bucket list for many runners from around the world.
“Breathtakingly beautiful”, “friendly atmosphere”, “flawless organisation”, “felt like a festival not just a race” are just some of the comments we had from our runners in 2016 so why not come and experience it for yourself?
The Loch Ness Marathon follows a spectacular point-to-point route alongside world famous Loch Ness, starting in an atmospheric moorland setting and continues through stunning Highland scenery, taking you along the south-eastern shores of Loch Ness, across the River Ness, to finish in Inverness, capital city of the Highlands.
The Route – The Marathon will start on the high ground between Fort Augustus and Foyers (B862) and will drop down to the banks of Loch Ness at Foyers (B852). From there, the route follows the loch’s south eastern shore, heading north east towards Dores on the northern tip of the loch. From Dores, the race heads directly into the centre of Inverness (B862), turning left over the main road bridge and left again for the last half mile along the River Ness to the finish at Bught Park in the centre of Inverness.
Next Loch Ness Marathon – 6thOctober 2019
The Great Wall Marathon – Tianjin, China
Since its inception in 1999, the Great Wall Marathon has become revered as one of the world's most challenging marathons.
Run the most demanding marathon of your life along one of mankind's greatest monuments.
Since the inaugural Great Wall Marathon in 1999, the field has grown steadily to a sell-out event with 2,500 runners from over 60 nations. The Great Wall Marathon event offers three distances: A marathon, half marathon and 8.5km Fun Run.
Despite the arduous course on the iconic Great Wall of China, runners will be rewarded by its breath taking surroundings and views. As the route leads participants through the lower valley and into the villages, onlookers will be cheering and the festive atmosphere is a real energy boost!
Find out more about the race below.
The next Great Wall Marathon 2019 – 18thMay 2019
Big Five Marathon – Limpop, South Africa
Enjoy a race like no other on the African Savannah! A marathon is the runner’s paramount achievement, and the Big Five Marathon is the marathoner’s highest accomplishment. In return for the Big Five Marathon’s challenging course, you get truly magnificent scenery and the chance to run with zebras, giraffes and antelopes and even through lion country.
Cautions (Lions ahead) –
Clothing and Weather, the weather is very dry, sunny and cool at this time of the year. Participants can expect a temperature of around 15-25 degrees Celsius during the day, but with variations due to sun, shade, wind and altitude. Short-sleeved technical shirts are a good choice. Sun block is a must (use SPF 30 or above), a running hat with visor is also advisable as it can help keep the sun out of your eyes. Please note that mornings and evenings are very cold. At night, the temperature can easily fall below 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit), so it's essential to bring a warm winter jacket, a warm hat, scarf and gloves for game drives and transfers.
Next Big Five Marathon – 22ndJune 2019
Boston Marathon – Boston, USA
Making it into the top ten is Boston Marathon. Run by the Boston Athletics Association the 26.2mile course is certainly one of the loudest courses with over 500,000 spectators along the course finishing in Boston. The next addition of the race will be the 121styear so the race is well established in the running calendar. Runners who have done their homework or are aware of the infamous Heartbreak Hill, known for being a tough climb.
Here’s a review from this year giving a great run down of the day.
“The 2018 race was my fourth Boston. Let's just say it's a privilege to run any Boston Marathon, and the 2018 weather will forever live in infamy.
I have a huge shout-out about the 2018 race and a huge criticism.
First the positive. I toed the line injured. Boston is the only marathon in the world I would've run in that condition. I was participating just to finish. And finish I did ... thanks to the medical tents, which I used as my warming shacks, where I warmed up, changed socks, and generally regrouped. They helped get me through the experience with professionalism and levity. Thank you!!!
Now the big negative. Our bus driver GOT LOST on the way to the start. I could hardly believe it. He dumped us off more than a mile away, and we ended up walking along the race course -- in driving rain -- to the start. The only good part is I got to see the wheelchair athletes whiz past by me. But for a marathon as great as Boston, that was totally unacceptable.
Ah well. I snagged a solid BQ for 2020 so I'll hope for better. That being said ... even an awful Boston is a tremendous event. The Super Bowl of running. Run it if you can, you will never regret it and you will cherish the medal forever”.
Next Boston Marathon – 20thApril 2020
London Marathon – London, United Kingdom
The London marathon has been going strong since 1981. The London Marathon is one of the top distance running events of the year - for pros and amateurs alike.
The race was founded by former Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher and fellow athlete John Disley.
Shortly after running the New York City Marathon in 1979 Brasher wrote an article calling for London to emulate the Big Apple. The following year Brasher and Disley made trips to America to study the organisation and finance of big city marathons. Brasher signed a contract with Gillette for £50,000 and then on March 29, 1981, the first London Marathon was held. More than 20,000 applied to run, 6,747 were accepted and 6,255 crossed the finish line of the race which was broadcast live on the BBC.
In 2016 the fastest time ever recorded at the London Marathon was set by Eliud Kipchoge. The Kenyan completed the course in a track record time of 2:03:05. Kipchoge holds the world record for the event of 2:01:39 which he ran in Berlin in 2018. Paula Radcliffe holds the women's record which has stood for 15 years. The time set by the Brit in 2003 of 2:15:25 is still the women's world record time for a marathon in a mixed race. Mary Keitany also holds the world record set in the London Marathon in 2017. It's recognised as a world record run a women's only race at a time of 2:17:01.
The next London marathon – 28thApril 2019
I hope you enjoyed, as always happy running
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