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From Big Sur to the Great Wall of China, these picturesque races will encourage globetrotters to lace up and run 26.2 miles. Plus, Forbes Travel Guide’s suggestions for luxurious lodges to have fun the end.
The 2026 racing season is shaping as much as be a historic one for the marathon world. In Boston, the world’s oldest annual race celebrates 130 years, whereas New York City marks a half-century of its legendary five-borough route (though it’s the 52nd operating of the race).
But for athletes who take globetrotting actually, the attraction of racing extends far past the key cities. Today’s premier marathons provide the possibility to dash (or stroll, no judgements) previous the traditional temples of Angkor Wat, comply with the palm-lined coasts of the Cayman Islands or share the trail with the “Big Five” in a South African sport reserve.
Forbes Travel Guide curated a listing of the most effective marathons value touring for this yr. And as a result of a world-class efficiency requires world-class preparation, these bucket-list races are paired with the best lodges that provide all the things from cryotherapy to post-race fine-dining feasts.
Brett Phelps/The Boston Globe through Getty Images
Boston Marathon
Race Day: April 20
The world’s oldest annual marathon turns a spry 130 this yr. Organizers say to anticipate some particular race weekend additions that acknowledge the milestone in addition to different noteworthy anniversaries, together with 50 years for the reason that famed 1976 “Run for the Hoses” race (the 96-degree marathon was the most popular on report, prompting spectators to chill off runners with backyard hoses) and 60 years since Bobbi Gibb’s pioneering 1966 run because the marathon’s first feminine contestant—5 years earlier than ladies had been formally sanctioned to run within the race.
Check in right here: Along the marathon route, close to the end line, Mandarin Oriental, Boston gives a handy base for spectators and runners. The resort presents race weekend actions and refreshments within the foyer and specials in Ramsay’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay, plus the Five-Star spa’s therapies assist marathoners ease the ache and cut back irritation.
Big Sur International Marathon
Race Day: April 26
Starting in unspoiled Big Sur, trailing alongside Highway 1 and ending in charming Carmel, the world’s largest rural marathon delivers dramatic surroundings at each mile marker with towering redwoods, rugged mountains and pounding waves. At the enduring Bixby Bridge, the midway level, the tuxedoed “Grand Piano Man” Michael Martinez performs songs to encourage runners for the ultimate 13.1 miles of the difficult coastal race.
Check in right here: Stay among the many redwoods at Alila Ventana Big Sur. Recuperate on the all-inclusive, adults-only wellness retreat by soaking fatigued muscle mass within the open-air Japanese scorching baths, taking motion courses or simply sitting on the room balcony and having fun with the forest or ocean views.
TCS London Marathon
Race Day: April 26
The U.Okay.’s greatest marathon broke the Guinness World Record for probably the most finishers in 2025 when 56,640 folks accomplished the race. Beginning at Greenwich Park, the route leads runners previous famed native points of interest, together with the Victorian tea clipper Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Big Ben, which alerts the race’s final mile. Cross the end line in The Mall with Buckingham Palace within the background.
Check in right here: Occupying the highest flooring of Western Europe’s tallest constructing, Five-Star Shangri-La The Shard has among the greatest views of the race from its floor-to-ceiling home windows. On the 52nd flooring, swim within the metropolis’s highest infinity pool or sip sundowners at Gong, London’s highest resort bar.
Great Wall Marathon
Race Day: May 16
One of the world’s most grueling races, the Great Wall Marathon checks runners’ endurance and power, particularly throughout the steep 5,164-step climb up a tower. The payoff is a once-in-a-lifetime likelihood to run alongside one of many New Seven Wonders of the World whereas surrounded by spectacular landscapes. The marathon course traces the Great Wall’s Huangyaguan part but additionally dips into native villages. Plus, entrants can add on pre- or post-race outings such because the Qing Dynasty Tombs.
Check in right here: Sprawl out on the trendy all-suite Peninsula Beijing, the place each marble rest room comes with a deep-soaking tub. Then take pleasure in pampering on the spa, with therapies just like the Chinese Deep Fusion Massage, which makes use of acupressure and European deep tissue strategies.
The Big Five Marathon
Race Day: June 13
This wild marathon permits simply 300 runners to traverse the sand paths of South Africa’s Entabeni sport reserve together with the 5 most sought-after safari animals—elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, leopards—with none limitations. But if marathoners don’t have sufficient time to snap photographs of the giraffes, hippos and antelope alongside the course, they may produce other alternatives to see the animals up shut. Race entry features a safari bundle with sport drives and a bush stroll.
Check in right here: Add on additional days to remain at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg. On the hillside overlooking the treetops, the Four-Star resort gives a tranquil respite. Visit the spa for an African-inspired therapy after which benefit from the view at its outside lounge.
Sao Khuth/Xinhua through Getty Images
Angkor Empire Marathon
Race Day: August 2
Join greater than 4,500 contributors in operating 26.2 miles in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The eleventh version of the distinctive Cambodian marathon takes place in Angkor Archaeological Park, passing via forest rice fields, conventional villages and 40 historical temples. The route spotlight, in fact, is Angkor Wat, the world’s largest non secular construction and a placing Khmer architectural feat.
Check in right here: Learn extra in regards to the native tradition with a keep at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. The Siem Reap resort can organize Vespa excursions, a Khmer dinner with conventional dance performances, and guided native artwork excursions.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Race Day: October 11
Wind via the Windy City throughout the Chicago Marathon, which works via 29 neighborhoods, together with Chinatown, the place colourful lion dancers carry out close to Mile 21, and Pilsen, the place mariachi bands rouse runners round Mile 19. Expected to attract greater than 52,000 runners, the forty eighth annual race begins and ends at Grant Park, a 313-acre inexperienced house that comprises landmarks resembling Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute.
Check in right here: A five-minute stroll from Grant Park, The St. Regis Chicago has sweeping views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan from its 101-story tower. At Chicago’s solely Five-Star spa, a part of a 12,000-square-foot wellness flooring, runners can even select their most well-liked fragrances on the Scent Bar for use in a therapeutic massage.
New York Road Runners through Getty Images
TCS New York Marathon
Race Day: November 1
See all 5 boroughs in sooner or later throughout the New York City Marathon, which broke the world report for the biggest marathon final yr with greater than 59,000 contributors from 132 international locations. This yr marks the fiftieth anniversary of the five-borough course—the primary few years of the marathon lined four-plus loops of Central Park—which begins on the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island, trails north via Brooklyn and Queens, turns west on the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, then goes north into the Bronx earlier than heading again to Manhattan and looping into Central Park for the well-known end line at Tavern on the Green.
Check in right here: Four-Star Equinox Hotel New York was made for marathoners. The health model’s first resort has science-based Sleep Lab rooms that optimize relaxation and restoration with facilities like adaptive mattresses and distinction remedy showers. And the spa options pre- and post-race therapies, together with cryotherapy, particular IV drips and CBD massages.
French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes
Race Day: November 8
It’s no marvel why the French Riviera race is the second-largest marathon in France, after Paris. The scenic course begins at Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, continues down the coast, chopping via quaint cities like Vallauris Golfe-Juan and Cagnes-sur-Mer, and finishes on Cannes’ iconic Croisette. About 95% of the palm-tree-lined route follows the ocean, and the temperatures vary between 55 and 66 levels Fahrenheit.
Check in right here: More than a century previous, pink-domed Le Negresco gives a grand getaway alongside the Mediterranean. Soak up the recent air on a lounger on the resort’s N La Plage alongside Nice’s seashore or unwind within the art-driven spa.
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon
Race Day: November 14
Gaze at snowcapped mountains, pristine our bodies of water and inexperienced countryside throughout this mostly flat marathon within the Queenstown Lakes District. It’s a part of the Runaway Marathon Series, a group of vacation spot races throughout New Zealand and Australia with beautiful settings. Runaway occasions additionally encourage contributors to expertise native actions and pattern the area’s acclaimed meals and wine.
Check in right here: A sanctuary in a pine forest overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Cecil Peak, Rosewood Matakauri is a major place for appreciating New Zealand’s untouched nature. Local actions vary from stargazing with an area astrophysicist to touring the wine area.
Paolo Giuliani/NurPhoto through Getty Images
Estra Firenze Marathon
Race Day: November 29
From the beginning line on the Duomo, the forty second annual Florence Marathon immerses runners within the metropolis’s historical past and artwork. The largely flat course brings marathoners over historical bridges, via medieval alleys and alongside the Arno. Surrounded by Renaissance-era buildings, the anticipated practically 10,200 marathoners additionally will see Parco delle Cascine (town’s largest public inexperienced house), the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria.
Check in right here: Get an up-close view of the Duomo on the close by Brunelleschi Hotel. The Four-Star boutique resort is positioned in a Byzantine tower and a medieval church, and has a museum that showcases the constructing’s artifacts, together with an historical Roman caldarium (or bathtub home).
Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon
Race Day: December 6
Travel to Grand Cayman to run via palm-lined streets towards the backdrop of vivid dawn colours over the Caribbean Sea. The coastal surroundings is the Cayman Islands Marathon’s greatest draw, with a good portion of the route following instantly alongside the ocean, notably via areas resembling South Sound and George Town. The course’s flat, quick format appeals to each first-time marathoners and seasoned runners, luring contributors from North America, Europe and the broader Caribbean.
Check in right here: Runners can revive themselves at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman with a well-deserved tasting menu at Blue by Eric Ripert, tailor-made therapies crafted by wellness coaches on the newly renovated spa, a spherical on the nine-hole golf course overlooking the North Sound or just enjoyable on the Five-Star property’s portion of well-known Seven Mile Beach.
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