Legendary Races
The marathons and ultras worth training a year for. 15 places, mapped and ready to build a trip around.
Plan a trip on Trailwind →Boston Marathon
Boston, MassachusettsBestAprClimate23–84°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglishAirportBOSThe world's oldest annual marathon. You have to qualify to run Heartbreak Hill.
London Marathon
LondonBestAprClimate36–73°FCurrencyGBPLanguageEnglishAirportLHRA tour past Tower Bridge and Big Ben with a million roaring spectators.
Berlin Marathon
BerlinBestSepClimate32–77°FCurrencyEURLanguageGermanAirportBERThe flattest, fastest Major, where the world record keeps falling.
Chicago Marathon
Chicago, IllinoisBestOctClimate21–81°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglishAirportORDA lightning-fast loop through 29 neighborhoods along Lake Michigan.
New York City Marathon
New YorkBestNovClimate28–86°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglishAirportJFKThe biggest marathon on Earth, across all five boroughs to Central Park.
Tokyo Marathon
TokyoBestMarClimate32–90°FCurrencyJPYLanguageJapaneseAirportNRTThe Major that completes the Six Star journey, immaculate and electric.
Big Sur Marathon
Big Sur, CaliforniaBestAprClimate48–72°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglishAirportMRYThe most beautiful marathon in the world, hugging the Pacific cliffs.
Comrades Marathon
DurbanBestJunClimate54–82°FCurrencyZARLanguageZuluAirportDURThe ultimate human race: a 55-mile ultra between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
Great Wall Marathon
HuangyaguanBestMayClimate16–82°FCurrencyCNYLanguageMandarin ChineseAirportPEK5,164 steps along the Great Wall: one of the toughest marathons anywhere.
Midnight Sun Marathon
TromsoBestJunClimate19–63°FCurrencyNOKLanguageNorwegianAirportTOSRun under a sun that never sets, above the Arctic Circle.
Athens Authentic Marathon
AthensBestNovClimate43–93°FCurrencyEURLanguageGreekAirportATHThe original course, from Marathon to the marble Panathenaic Stadium.
Two Oceans Marathon
Cape TownBestAprClimate50–79°FCurrencyZARLanguageZuluAirportCPTA stunning ultra around the Cape Peninsula, past both oceans.
Marathon du Medoc
BordeauxBestSepClimate39–81°FCurrencyEURLanguageFrenchAirportBODThe wine marathon: costumes, châteaux, and tastings the whole way.
Sydney Marathon
SydneyBestAug–SepClimate46–79°FCurrencyAUDLanguageEnglishAirportSYDThe newest Major, finishing at the Opera House on the harbour.
Marine Corps Marathon
Washington, D.C.BestOctClimate30–90°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglishAirportDCAThe People's Marathon past every DC monument, run by the Marines.