This is a list put together over at Forbes and I think has quite a few winners on it. The great thing about collecting miles is that it puts each of these marathons within reach. Whether or not these marathons are on your bucket list is a different matter. I think it is a pretty fair list but I would probably have a couple of different ones that I would add to offer a greater sampling. For instance, of the marathons on the list, 4 of them are in North America, 4 of them in Europe, 1 in Asia, and 1 in Africa. I think there are some pretty good ones in Asia that should be on the list as well as maybe one or two in South America. Finally, there are some awesome looking races in Australia that I think would make interesting places on a list of marathons worth traveling for. However, it is a good list and here is the breakdown.
Top 10 Marathons Worth Traveling For
1) Napa Valley Marathon – March 2, 2014
- Website
- Field is capped at 2,300 runners (full for 2014 – 2015 registration opens March 3)
- Downhill course
- Beautiful scenery and weather
2) Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris – April 6, 2014
- Website
- Field has close to 40,000 runners
- Historic, landmark filled course
- Great time of year
3) Virgin Money London Marathon – April 13, 2014
- Website
- Field has close to 40,000 runners
- Also very landmark filled course
- Largest amount of world record marathon attempts (slowest marathon, fastest in costume, oldest runner, etc)
4) Boston Marathon – April 21, 2014
- Website
- It’s Boston – need we say more? 🙂
- Must qualify to gain entry (unless you run on a charity team)
- Weather can be fickle
5) Big Sur International Marathon – April 27, 2014
- Website
- On every “most beautiful marathons” list
- Books up very fast
- Great scenic marathon
6) BMO Vancouver Marathon – May 4, 2014
- Website
- Field is capped at 5,000 runners
- Point-to-point course takes in beautiful scenery and landmarks
- Home to the 2010 Winter Olympics (I am a big fan of Olympic host cities)
7) Great Wall Marathon, Tianjin, China – May 17, 2014
- Website
- A marathon that allows you to do something memorable (both in mind and muscle)
- Covers 5,164 steps
- Run it for the history and views – not time
8) Marathon de la Baie du Mont Saint-Michel – May 25, 2014
- Website
- Up to 5,000 runners
- Point-to-point course that allows you to see the finish from the start
- Beautiful scenery
9) Big Five Marathon, Limpopo, South Africa – June 21, 2014
- Website
- A true run on the “wild” side as it connects you with African wildlife
- Very difficult course
- Great chance to experience Africa
10) Athens Classic Marathon – November 9, 2014
- Website
- The original marathon
- A lot of history and beauty
Summary
So, what do you think of their list? Have you run any of the marathons on the list? Would they qualify for being on it or do you have some additions of your own? Would love to hear about it!
I love trail running, so when Outside listed the Moab Trail Marathon on a list of bucket list trail runs, I jumped on it (http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/running/trail-running/The-Trail-Runners-Bucket-List-Moab-Trail-Marathon-Utah.html). I ran the half, but it was hands down the most difficult race I’ve ever run. The support was amazing (there was even PBR at mile nine), and course was very technical and incredibly scenic. Since Moab is so close to both Canyonlands and Arches, I got a ton of hiking in at the national parks as well. Definitely a race worth travelling for.
Definitely sounds like one worth traveling for! I too love train runs. That one sounds like one to throw on my ever growing list of races I want to do. 🙂