15 Beautiful Marathons to Cross Off Your Running Bucket List
:upscale()/2017/07/12/967/n/1922729/9e1ad62f59669eeb42d078.62310756_edit_img_cover_file_37270169_1432596600.jpg)
If your idea of the perfect vacation happens only after you log hours of running, allow us to help you plan your next destination race. These beautiful, scenic courses are motivation enough to get training — or, if you've already signed up for your own race, may just be the perfect way to daydream through your next long run. Fuel your runner's wanderlust with these picturesque courses.
Big Five Marathon
Where: South Africa
When: June
Why you should go: The challenging Big Five course winds its way through beautiful African scenery — there's nothing between you and wildlife during your run.
Big Sur International Marathon
Where: Big Sur, CA
When: April
Why you should go: The Big Sur International Marathon is known as one of the most beautiful courses in the world — one look at this winding road and it's not hard to see why.
Marathon Bahamas
Where: Nassau, Bahamas
When: January
Why you should go: The flat course keeps you close to the ocean, and there's nothing like a warm-weather runcation in the middle of Winter.
Boston Marathon
Where: Boston
When: April
Why you should go: The historic marathon winds its way through classic American towns from Hopkinton to Boston, but it's the thousands of spectators who line the streets that are the real draw.
Vodafone Istanbul Marathon
Where: Instanbul, Turkey
When: November
Why you should sign up: When else can you run from Asia to Europe in one go? Runners cross the Bosphorus Bridge during the marathon, which connects Istanbul's European and Asian sides.
Great Ocean Road Marathon
Where: Lorne, Australia
When: May
Why you should go: In Victoria, Australia's Great Ocean Road is one of the most scenic coastal roads in the world.
Great Wall Marathon
Where: Great Wall, Tianjin Province, China
When: May
Why you should go: Go for the challenge, the view, and the bragging rights.
Honolulu Marathon
Where: Honolulu
When: December
Why you should go: Because afterward you can spend your hard-earned R&R on a Hawaiian beach, of course.
Jungfrau Marathon
Where: Interlaken, Switzerland
When: September
Why you should go: Regular race courses not cutting it for you anymore? This steep race winds its way around the famous Swiss Alps.
Virgin Money London Marathon
Where: London
When: April
Why you should go: Besides being able to run on and through historic sights, the London Marathon is one of the largest charity fundraising events in the world, making for a fun, celebratory atmosphere.
TCS New York City Marathon
Where: New York City
When: November
Why you should go: The course goes through each of New York City's five boroughs so you can see many of the city's iconic sights.
Schneider Electric Paris Marathon
Where: Paris
When: September
Why you should go: The course passes by some of the most beautiful and famous landmarks in the world, like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Champs Elysées.
Reykjavik Marathon
Where: Reykjavik, Iceland
When: August
Why you should go: The crisp air and flat course make for ideal running conditions, and the race coincides with the popular Icelandic national event called Culture Night, held in the capital every year.
Tokyo Marathon
Where: Tokyo
When: February
Why you should go: Traveling through 26 miles of Tokyo by foot is one of the best ways to take in many of its unique, densely populated neighborhoods.
Venice Marathon
Where: Venice
When: October
Why you should go: If you want a flat, fast, and scenic route, this is your race.