Top ten marathons around the world
Cheapflights takes the measure of the greatest runs
History, terrain, competition – all are ingredients of a great marathon, that 26-mile stretch that can define a runner's soul. Cheapflights.co.uk runs through the top ten marathons around the world, starting with our very own London marathon.
Virgin London Marathon
Lots of races in lots of places in April make it tough for top competitors to choose. One of the very best is in London, on 13 April 2014. The marathon follows a comparatively flat course along the Thames. It’s the only marathon on the planet that begins in the Eastern Hemisphere, and crosses over at Greenwich - into the Western. Search and compare:cheap flights to London | Read our travel guide to London
Dublin Marathon
On 28 October runners gather in Fitzwilliam Street Upper for what's called the friendliest marathon in the world. The Dublin Marathon is largely flat, making its way to Merrion Square North. Along the way, contestants are cheered on as perhaps nowhere else. Spectators feel their pain – and are more than happy to help them kill it with a Guinness or two when the race is over. Search and compare:cheap flights to Dublin | Read our travel guide to Dublin
BMW Berlin Marathon
Berlin is a biggie, attracting top talent from around the planet to this German capital on 29 September. The run starts and finishes next to the Brandenberg Gate. The course is comparatively benign, and eminently historic – passing by places such as the Reichstag and Berliner Dom. Like Chicago, the flat German topography spawns some spectacular times. Weather permitting, 2013 should be no different. Given the one-time division of Germany, Berlin’s marathon takes on special significance. Search and compare:cheap flights to Berlin | Read our travel guide to Berlin
Athens Classic Marathon
On 10 November runners will follow in the footsteps of Pheidippides as they track the route of the first Marathon. We capitalise the name because it was from this small coastal town that one man struggled the original 26 miles to Athens across arid, rocky ground. When he got there he proclaimed civilisation was safe - the Greek Army had defeated the Persians. He then keeled over and died. The route is not for the faint-hearted. Search and compare:cheap flights to Athens | Read our travel guide to Athens
Boston Marathon
On 21 April 2014, the 118th running of the Boston marathon will take place and attract more than one million spectators. The course is fabled for its beauty and its brutality. Rural Hopkinton is the jumping-off point. Then the run winds through countryside and townships before terminating at Boston’s Kenmore Square, in the shadows of Fenway Park. Before this, contestants must conquer Heartbreak Hill – and their own demons. Search and compare:cheap flights to Boston | Read our travel guide to Boston
ING New York City Marathon
If the Boston Marathon kicks off prime-time North American runs, the ING New York City Marathon finishes them up on 3 November. The Big Apple event may not have the history of its New England cousin, but the competition is every bit as tough. The course is a true five-borough affair, drawing the city together. It starts in Staten Island, then makes its way through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan before finishing up in Central Park. Search and compare:cheap flights to New York City | Read our travel guide to New York City
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Autumn leaves should be falling by the time 13 October comes round. This is the Upper Midwest, and terrain is flat. Runners can flat out fly. They like the venue because they can push their personal best on the closed-loop course. It starts and ends at Grant Park, winding through a number of Chicago’s neighbourhoods. During the first three miles, the course passes through downtown Chicago. Eventually it heads north, along LaSalle Street. Search and compare:cheap flights to Chicago | Read our travel guide to Chicago
San Francisco Marathon
Lots of marathoners find their heart in San Francisco. This year's day is 16 June. The course is out of a guidebook. It begins on the Embarcadero, passes Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina and crosses the Golden Gate Bridge. Runners return across the bridge, pass through the Presidio and through Golden Gate Park. Then it’s on to Haight Street, and through the Portero and Mission Bay Districts. Look up and behold the Bay Bridge. The finish is just ahead. Search and compare:cheap flights to San Francisco | Read our travel guide to San Francisco
Salt Lake City Marathon
In terms of scenery, the windward flanks of the Wasatch Mountains aren’t bad either. Come 19 April 2014 that's where you’ll find the Salt Lake City Marathon. It begins at Olympic Legacy Bridge, on the campus of the University of Utah, skirts the base of the Wasatch, and winds past great estates before hitting city centre. Finally, this great western run finishes at Olympic Legacy Plaza. Cool weather, snow-capped peaks and plenty of support. It’s hard to ask for more. Search and compare:cheap flights to Salt Lake City | Read our travel guide to Salt Lake City
Rio de Janeiro Marathon
When it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s winter in the Southern. Rio is the setting for perhaps the planet’s most sensuous run on 7 July. The route, which visually rivals any, sambas through city streets. It starts out in Reciero, and finishes up in Flamengo, the ocean to the left and mountains to the right. Along the way, runners weave through Praia da Reserva, Leblon, fabled Ipanema and Copacabana all as on-lookers urge them on. Search and compare:cheap flights to Rio de Janeiro | Read our travel guide to Rio de Janeiro
Updated April 2013
Content Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!