“Run the World: 12 Must-Travel Marathons to Experience in 2025!”

From Aruba to Vancouver, these stunning races (including one vertical challenge) will motivate you to put on your running shoes and complete 26.2 miles. Furthermore, there’s a list of lavish hotels available at each destination to celebrate your accomplishment.

_{By Forbes Travel Guide}

---

The second Friday in January has been dubbed Quitter’s Day as this is when the majority of individuals abandon their New Year’s resolutions, and the motivation to eat healthily, be on time, or engage in more physical activity starts to diminish.

However, if 2025 is the year you’re set on completing a marathon, the curators at Forbes Travel Guide have compiled a list of remarkable races around the globe that provide breathtaking sights along their challenging paths. To further encourage you, there’s also an array of opulent hotels situated close to the 26.2-mile routes—because recuperation is crucial for reaching the finish line.

Here are 12 marathons you should consider undertaking this year:

---

Malta Marathon

Race day: February 23

The Malta Marathon commemorates its 40th anniversary this year and anticipates a record 1,200-plus entrants. The route navigates a picturesque and challenging course, highlighting Malta’s varied terrains and historical monuments. Both the Malta Marathon and the half marathon predominantly slope downhill, commencing in Mdina—the medieval capital of the island nation at 623 feet elevation—traversing charming towns and concluding at sea level.

Stay at: The Phoenicia Malta is an art deco masterpiece providing comfort and luxury for runners. Located at the entrance to the current capital city, Valletta, this Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star property offers easy access to the marathon route. Featuring a modern spa and beautiful onsite gardens, it is the perfect place to recharge after the event.

---

Run Rome The Marathon

Race day: March 16

Is there a marathon that showcases more iconic landmarks? Run Rome The Marathon utilizes its distinct course layout—almost four miles of the route is on cobblestones—to glide past the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, the Spanish Steps, and more. Although swift runners may not have much opportunity to savor the Roman vistas, those maintaining a brisk walk can capture unforgettable mental snapshots—and possibly some actual photographs.

Stay at: While the course is dotted with magnificent landmarks, the sights from The St. Regis Rome, a Four-Star establishment featuring bronze-trimmed accommodations and stylish public areas situated just 10 minutes from the finish line, are nearly as impressive.

---

Boston Marathon

Race day: April 21

Established in 1897, Boston’s renowned event is the oldest annual marathon in the world, featuring one of the most challenging courses globally. On Patriots’ Day (a Massachusetts holiday commemoratingthe American Revolution’s inaugural clash), over 30,000 participants depart from the suburban Hopkinton and trek through the infamous Heartbreak Hill (during Mile 20) before concluding near the Boston Public Library.

Check in here: A mere four-minute stroll from the finish line, Raffles Boston serves as a post-race refuge. Rejuvenate in a treatment suite equipped with a hydrotherapy tub at its Guerlain Spa or enjoy a remarkable modern Portuguese meal at chef George Mendes’ Amar.

---

Vancouver Marathon

Race day: May 4

As the weather begins to warm in southwestern British Columbia, the thrill of racing intensifies for Canada’s largest marathon. With favorable weather conditions, more than 20,000 participants eagerly anticipate a picturesque route that winds through the city’s varied neighborhoods, such as Wreck Beach, Yaletown, and the West End, concluding downtown.

Check in here: After 26.2 demanding miles, unwind in the opulent Five-Star Shangri-La Vancouver. Recoup at the hotel’s extravagant spa, which provides therapeutic massages in treatment suites complete with a bathtub, fireplace, and steam shower.

---

Aruba Marathon

Race day: June 8

Heat can be a marathoner’s biggest challenge, which is why many prominent marathons occur in the autumn—or at least during cooler temperatures. However, completing 26.2 miles in a sunlit paradise should compensate for some of the difficulty. This loop course along Aruba’s western coastline guides participants past palm trees and native divi-divi trees, alongside the turquoise waters at Eagle Beach and near the 98-foot California Lighthouse, one of the island’s iconic sites. The event culminates with an awards ceremony—and a celebration—on the beach.

Check in here: Get ready for race day at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba, a tranquil adults-only retreat along the course. The boutique hotel features a team of certified wellness experts to enhance your pre-race routine or assist with your post-race recovery.

---

Marathon du Médoc

Race day: September 6

If you find yourself in Bordeaux, it’s natural to crave a glass of wine during your stay. If you’re participating in the Marathon du Médoc through these renowned vineyards, it’s simply expected. Affectionately known as “the world’s most spirited marathon,” this unconventional race features in-race wine and cheese stations, vibrant themes, and participants clad in extravagant (and frequently wine-themed) costumes. It’s a day abundant with joy and merriment—that is, until the finish line comes into view.

Check in here: After shedding your bib, navigate your way to Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes. Subtly elegant rooms, chef Masaharu Morimoto’s inaugural European restaurant, and a spa infused with international flair make this historical gem worth raising a glass to.

---

Budapest Marathon

Race day: October 12

The Budapest Marathon showcases a magnificent route that highlights the city’s Andrassy Avenue, Chain Bridge, the Danube River, and Buda Castle. The event fittingly concludes at Heroes’ Square. For those not prepared for the complete 26.2 miles, the marathon weekend offers numerous activities for athletes of all abilities, such as a 5k, a 10k, and several long-distance relays.

Check in here: Four-Star Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest features a prime location near the start and finish of the race. Suitable for such an achievement, the venue possesses a celebratory ambiance that can be sensed throughout its corridors, from the impressive collection of Hungarian art to the modern Hungarian-Viennese cuisine at ÉS Bisztró.

---

Chicago Marathon

Race day: October 12

The speedy, flat route has consistently made this marathon a favorite among runners—a record-breaking 160,000 applied for the 2025 event. It meanders through 29 Chicago neighborhoods, including Pilsen (where mariachi bands perform near Mile 19) and Chinatown (where lion dancers entertain around Mile 21). The marathon commences and concludes at Grant Park, whose sprawling 312 acres encompass Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain (one of the largest fountains globally), and the Art Institute.

Check in here: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago skillfully caters to marathon participants. Concierges provide insights into route highlights, complimentary shuttles transport participants conveniently to the starting point, and the hotel’s Adorn restaurant features a special runner’s menu the evening before and a revitalizing brunch post-event.

---

Lisbon Marathon

Race day: October 25

The Lisbon Marathon features one of the most picturesque routes in Europe, as the entire course hugs the coastline and other bodies of water. It initiates in Carcavelos, meanders along the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, and concludes at Praça do Comércio’s harbor-facing square.

Check in here: Athletes will feel warmly welcomed at Corpo Santo Hotel, a venue near the finish line that provides a marathon kit filled with various amenities, such as water and energy bars, along with a complimentary massage.

---

New York City Marathon

Race day: November 2

The New York City Marathon holds the title of the world’s largest race—over 55,000 completed in 2024—and is recognized as an unofficial holiday for the thousands of onlookers who enthusiastically cheer as participants navigate through all five boroughs. After commencing in Staten Island, competitors traverse five bridges and pass through various neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before reaching the legendary Central Park finish at Tavern on the Green.

Check in here: The Five-StarRitz-Carlton New York, Central Park is an excellent location to observe runners crossing the finish line, especially from the cozy vantage point of a Premiere Park View Suite. The establishment also includes a cutting-edge fitness center for those motivated to commence their training for next year.

---

Singapore Marathon

Race day: December

With its curves, reversals, and rapid straightaways, the Singapore Marathon almost resembles an auto race. Thus, it is logical that the course starts at the F1 Pit Building. While the details for 2025 have yet to be revealed, if conditions replicate last year’s events, onlookers can anticipate a stunning finish at the scenic Anderson Bridge.

Find accommodations here: In addition to its advantageous location near the F1 Pit Building, Four-Star Marina Bay Sands serves as the perfect hub for marathon participants due to its emphasis on pre-race preparations (offering a comprehensive wellness program) and post-race relaxation (at the iconic infinity pool on the 57th floor famous from Crazy Rich Asians).

---

Kiawah Island Marathon, South Carolina

Race day: December 13

For the last 46 years, athletes have traversed the picturesque Lowcountry of Kiawah Island, a coastal island close to Charleston with an average elevation of just six feet above sea level. This distinctive landscape has aided many runners in achieving personal records and qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Additionally, encountering scenic views along the route—the stunning Ibis Pond Overlook located near the halfway mark—serves as great encouragement.

Find accommodations here: The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is conveniently located around Mile 13. Furthermore, this Five-Star hotel provides shuttle services to the start line, race weekend celebrations, and an opulent Five-Star spa for lavish post-race relaxation.

---

Bonus Race: Lotte World Tower Sky Run, Seoul

Race day: April

Not every marathon is held horizontally across 26.2 miles. This yearly event—which is part of a worldwide series—demands endurance to ascend Korea’s largest and tallest vertical marathon. Participants climb the 123-story Seoul tower, the sixth-tallest structure in the world. It comprises a total of 2,917 steps to the summit—over 1,800 feet—where participants are greeted with breathtaking views and rewards. Having commenced in 2017, last year’s race attracted a record 2,200 runners from the United States, Japan, Malaysia, and various other nations.

Find accommodations here: After completing the race, your fatigued legs won’t need to go far—simply take the elevator to the Four-Star…Signiel Seoul, spanning the 76th to 101st stories. Each accommodation features remarkable views, with numerous rooms offering soaking tubs that overlook the urban landscape.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT FROM FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE

ForbesForbes Travel Guide Inspectors’ Top Spa Experiences Of 2024By Forbes Travel GuideForbes11 Best Golf Resorts In The United StatesBy Katie SweeneyForbesThe Best Things Forbes Travel Guide Inspectors Ate And Drank In 2024By Forbes Travel GuideForbesForbes Travel Guide’s 25 Most Anticipated Hotel Openings Of 2025By Forbes Travel Guide