11 of the Coolest Marathon Courses Around the Globe, From the Great Wall of China to Highway 1

Running through a new place is one of the best ways to get a feel for a destination—you get the lay of the land, see how locals live, and notice things you might not see from a car or public transportation. And as destination races grow in popularity, the courses offered are getting even more spectacular—the half and full marathons on this list prove it. Below, I’ve rounded up the coolest, most exciting races happening in the next year or so. As someone who regularly travels for halfs, I spend a good chunk of time perusing the web (and TikTok) finding “bucket list races” to add to my to-run list. With marathons that take you to world wonders, through safari lands, and across borders, these races are worth a trip in and of themselves. Great Wall Marathon, China Date: May 16, 2026 Registration: Open through April 16 for the 2026 race Distances included: Marathon, half-marathon, 8.5K What to know: This race lets you run along one of the seven wonders of the world. It’s a strenuous, hilly course, but if the views alone don’t keep you going, the residents in local villages cheering you on along the route just might. Of note, to register, you must sign up for a tour package; the starting price is $790 and includes race entry plus two nights of accommodations. It’s sponsored by Albatross Adventure Marathons, which also puts on The Big Five Marathon (more details below!) and the Iceland Volcano Marathon, among other adventurous runs. Where to stay: Hotels must be booked along with the packages. For a relaxing post-race stay, check into the Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing, with its award-winning spa (after a massage, consider the tea meditation too) and standout dining options, from Italian to dim sum. Tossa de Mar Run Festival, Spain Date: May 17, 2026 Registration: Open through May 15 and quite affordable—the most expensive distance is €39 Distances included: Half-marathon, 10K, 5K (paved course); 17K, 8K (trail) What to know: Set in Tossa de Mar, a beautiful, historic seaside town on Spain’s Costa Brava, these runs are all about the coastal views. Of course, that does mean a challenging, hilly course for all but the 5K, which boasts a flat route in the town’s center. Of note, the maximum time is on the shorter end: 2 hours 35 minutes for the half, 1 hour 15 for the 10K, and 45 minutes for the 5K. Where to stay: Zel Costa Brava, about a 10-minute drive from the starting line, was mentioned in our list of the Best Places to Go in Spain and Portugal in 2026. It has a funicular to take guests down to the beach, a huge pool with plenty of lounge chairs to kick back on, and a spa with a thermal circuit, ideal for soothing sore legs. The Big Five Marathon, South Africa Date: June 13, 2026; June 19, 2027 Registration: Fully booked for 2026—check back for 2027 opening information Distances included: Full marathon, half-marathon What to know: The name says it all: You might just see the big five while you run! The course takes runners through the South African Savannah on the Entabeni Game Reserve. It is a smaller race, with a maximum of 300 participants, in a moderate climate (expected to be in the 60s to 70s this year) along a sand and gravel trail. Past participants rave about this one, calling it “The ONLY marathon I have wanted to run twice!” and “the best adventure ever.” Like the Great Wall course, registration requires selecting a tour package, starting at $3,300 for the seven-day package, which includes accommodation, meals, game drives, bush walks, and more. Where to stay: At the end of any package, you’ll be transferred to Johannesburg International Airport. Give yourself a night to decompress at the Park Hyatt Johannesburg, where peacocks roam the grounds, rooms overlook serene gardens, and Sunday brunch comes with a side of live music. Midnight Sun Marathon, Norway Date: June 20, 2026 Registration: Open now Distances included: Marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, kids race What to know: The Tromsø, Norway, race begins at 8:30 p.m.—but thanks to the midnight sun the event is named after, it’s still light out. One of the northernmost races in the world, with a course surrounded by mountains and fjords, it boasted 9,000 runners from an impressive 88 countries last year. Of note, the maximum time limit is 5 hours and 30 minutes for the marathon and 3 hours and 30 minutes for the half. Where to stay: Right in Tromsø, St. Elisabeth makes for a lovely stay, especially if you take advantage of the spa’s thermal bath, pool, and saunas. A bit further out (45 minutes or so), the Yggdrasiltunet Farm Hotel offers an even more blissful setting for a post-race escape with its wood-fired barrel sauna, guided ice bathing, hot tub overlooking the sea, and yoga classes. Iceland Volcano Marathon Date: June 27, 2026 Registration: Open now Distances included: Full marathon, half-marathon, 10.55k What to know: Designed for adventure-seekers, this Northern Iceland race explores one of Earth's geological hot spots—you’ll run along the rim of two volcanic craters and over black lava rock, with steaming geysers taking your mind off the miles ahead. Unless you’re an Icelandic resident, you’ll need to book the six-day tour package, which is around $3,200 and includes accommodation, transportation, meals, a celebratory post-race dinner, and some activities, with add-ons like whale-watching and waterfall chasing available too. Of note, race entrance is not included in that fee ($345 for the half and full, and $200 for the quarter marathon). Where to stay: Our resident Iceland expert and contributing writer Erika Owen highly recommends one of the tour lodging options, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, saying that it “embodies the best of Iceland: seclusion, surrounding nature, and beds topped with Icelandic wool blankets.” On your way out of town, consider a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon; beyond the must-dip-in thermal baths, the tasting menu at Michelin-starred Moss is well worth a splurge. Napa to Sonoma Half, California Date: July 26, 2026 Registration: Open now Distances included: Half-marathon, 5K What to know: A 13.1-mile route through Napa and Sonoma’s wine country, this course is surrounded by farms, vineyards, and ranches—yes, there are gently rolling hills, but it’s not an overly challenging course. The real prize for the 3,000-ish participants is at the finish line: At the post-race wine festival, top local vineyards reward you with wine tastings, and your goodie bag includes a commemorative wine glass. Where to stay: Several hotels partner with the race to offer discounted stays, including the Westin Verasa Napa Hotel, notable for its Hyperice Recover & Recharge Kit available at the front desk. (Heads up for other future runs: Hyperice and Normatec products can be found at most Westins across the US! I swear by the Normatecs and Hypervolt for post-race recovery.) Just across the street from the starting line sits Carneros Resort and Spa, a seven-time Readers’ Choice Award winner; down the street is Stanly Ranch, an Auberge resort with a gorgeous outdoor pool that’s exactly where I’d want to park myself post-race. Detroit Free Press International Marathon, Michigan Date: October 18, 2026 Registration: Open now but largely sold out for 2026; check back for 2027 registration details Distances included: Marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 5K, one miler, kids races What to know: This is one course that’s absolutely on my running bucket list. It’s the only US race I’ve found that crosses borders: After starting in downtown Detroit, runners cross over the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor, Ontario, before returning to the US through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (yep, an underwater mile!). Uniquely, this means you will have to carry your passport during the marathon and international half. Where to stay: The AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle is minutes from the start line, and well-situated to other places of interest (Little Caesar’s Arena, Fox Theater, the Detroit Institute of Arts). For a post-race treat, stop by Warda Pâtisserie. Find official partner hotels here. Athens Marathon, Greece Date: November 8, 2026 Registration: Open now Distances included: Marathon, 10K, 5K What to know: History buffs will love this course in Greece, which, according to legend, follows the original marathon route Pheidippides ran way back in 490 B.C. when he brought news of victory from the battlefield of Marathon (it’s also the course used in the 2004 Olympics). The marathon course stays open for eight hours and passes by landmarks like the Athens Concert Hall, Eleftherias Park, the Presidential Palace, and the National Garden. There are packages available if you want transportation, accommodations, and tour options baked into your visit; they’re not required for entry, but for the 2026 race, individual registration has sold out. Where to stay: The race starts in the town of Marathon, northeast of central Athens. For a stay close to the finish line with an excellent spa and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, consider Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel. A bit further south, the seaside One&Only Aesthesis offers a touch of coastal glamour, plus a Guerlain spa. Route 66 Marathon, Tulsa Date: November 21-22, 2026 Registration: Open now Distances included: Marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 5K, one miler What to know: This is a particularly exciting year to run, given it is the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the 250th anniversary of America. The course begins in downtown Tulsa, weaving through neighborhoods (and block parties full of cheerleaders) and the University of Tulsa campus. Where to stay: Room blocks are available at several partner hotels, including Brut Hotel, a charming boutique hotel a short drive from the start line with an outdoor pool, rooftop bar, and spa. I’m eyeing the Olympian Massage, designed to “relieve tension and restore mobility by utilizing deep tissue and sports massage techniques.” London Landmarks Half Date: April 4, 2027 Registration: Pre-registration is open now Distances included: Half-marathon What to know: As the name suggests, the course runs past several London landmarks, including Big Ben, the Tower of London, the London Eye, and Somerset House. It’s a lively course—musical performances, DJs, dancers, and themed cheer stations can be expected—and even better, it's a flat one, with 238 feet of total elevation gain. Where to stay: In 2026, Blue Orchid Hospitality and the Clermont Hotel Group offered discounts for race weekend stays at properties like The Wellington Hotel, The Tower Hotel, and Thistle Trafalgar. We’ll update the list once 2027 partners are announced! For luxury stays near the starting line, consider Raffles London at the OWO or the Corinthia London. Big Sur International Marathon, California Date: April 2027 Registration: The 2026 race is largely sold out; check back for 2027 registration details Distances included: Marathon, 21-miler, 11-miler, 12K, 5K What to know: With a cliffside, oceanview course running from Big Sur to Carmel along California’s iconic Highway 1, it doesn’t get much more scenic than this. It’s a Boston qualifier race and has a six-hour time limit, along with several course length options, making it a good one to run with a group, even if you have different ideal mileage. Where to stay: Room blocks are available at a few different properties in Monterey, closer to the finish line. Of course, there is no shortage of luxury hotels in the area—Alila Ventana Big Sur, Post Ranch Inn, and Carmel Beach Hotel are a few Traveler favorites.