Seven extraordinary races — from a Swiss Alpine summit to a Saharan desert and the valleys of KwaZulu-Natal — that prove 26.2 miles can be the most beautiful journey on earth.
Most runners choose their next marathon by chasing a personal best on a flat, fast course. But a growing community of traveller-athletes has other priorities: they want to run through somewhere that stops them in their tracks. A place where the view from mile 20 (km 32) makes the pain feel entirely beside the point.
The seven races below are not just scenic backdrops. Each one is shaped by its landscape — the Swiss Alps force an ascent of nearly 2,000 metres; the Sahara Desert connects three refugee camps across open sand; the KwaZulu-Natal hills demand an ultramarathon just to cross them. These are races that take you somewhere, in every sense.
Whether you are a seasoned marathon runner building a bucket list or a first-timer looking for a reason to commit to the distance, this guide covers what each race looks like, what it takes to enter, and why it belongs on your radar.
At a Glance — All Seven Races
| Race | Country | Distance | Held | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYC Marathon | USA | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km | November | Moderate |
| Boston Marathon | USA | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km | April (Patriots’ Day) | Moderate–Hard |
| Big Sur International Marathon | USA | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km | April (Last Sunday) | Moderate–Hard |
| Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon | Switzerland | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km | Early July | Very Hard |
| Great Wall Marathon | China | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km | 1 May (Labour Day) | Very Hard |
| Sahara Marathon | Algeria | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km | February | Moderate |
| Comrades Marathon | South Africa | ~55 mi / ~90 km | June (Youth Day — 16 June) | Ultramarathon / Extreme |
1. New York City Marathon — USA
Five boroughs. Fifty-thousand runners. One legendary Sunday in November.
| Distance | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Held | First Sunday in November |
| Field Size | ~50,000 finishers |
| Entry | Lottery / Guaranteed entry paths |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
The TCS New York City Marathon is the world’s largest annual marathon, drawing close to 50,000 finishers from over 140 countries each November. What makes it scenic is not any single landmark but the sheer theatre of running through five distinct urban landscapes in a single morning: the sweep of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge out of Staten Island, the brownstones of Brooklyn, the long run through Queens, the tight turns of the Bronx, and the final climb up Fifth Avenue into Central Park.
The course spans all five New York City boroughs — Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan — covering 26.2 miles (42.2 km) before finishing in Central Park. It is widely considered the world’s most watched marathon, with an estimated 1 million spectators lining the route. Major roads across the city are closed to traffic for the event, creating an electric, city-wide atmosphere unlike any other race day on earth.
The race was founded in 1970 by Fred Lebow and Vince Chiappetta as a loop around Central Park with 127 entrants. Its expansion to a five-borough course came in 1976, coinciding with the US Bicentennial. Today, it is organised by New York Road Runners (NYRR) and is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors.
How to Enter: Entry is primarily through an annual lottery that opens each February. Guaranteed entry is available through charity fundraising, time-qualification, or international tour operators. Visit nyrr.org for current lottery dates and entry requirements. Registration fees are approximately USD $295–$360 for international runners.
2. Boston Marathon — USA
The world’s oldest annual marathon — and the one every runner earns the right to start.
| Distance | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Held | Patriots’ Day — third Monday in April |
| Route | Hopkinton → Copley Square, Boston |
| Entry | Qualifying time (BQ) required |
| Difficulty | Moderate–Hard |
First held on 19 April 1897 — inspired by the success of the marathon at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens the year before — the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors. It is also the only Major that requires runners to qualify before they can enter, making a Boston finish one of the most coveted achievements in amateur distance running.
The 26.2-mile (42.2 km) point-to-point course runs from the small town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts eastward through eight cities and towns before finishing on Boylston Street at Copley Square, Boston. The first half descends through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley — where students from Wellesley College line the route in the famous Scream Tunnel around mile 13 (km 21) — before the course rises sharply through the Newton Hills between miles 16 and 21 (km 26–34).
The Newton Hills culminate in Heartbreak Hill, a 0.4-mile (600 m) ascent near Boston College at mile 20 (km 32). The hill rises only 88 feet (27 m) vertically but arrives precisely when glycogen stores are most depleted, earning its name from a 1936 race-day incident in which a rival overtook defending champion John Kelley on the final climb — “breaking his heart,” in the words of the Boston Globe reporter who coined the phrase. After Heartbreak Hill, the course descends through Brookline into Boston, finishing to enormous crowds on Boylston Street. The race attracts more than 500,000 spectators annually, making it New England’s most-viewed sporting event.
How to Enter: Runners must meet a Boston Qualifying (BQ) time based on age and gender, then register during the official entry window — with the fastest qualifiers given priority. Times range from 3:00 (men 18–34) to 5:25 (women 80+). Charity bibs are also available. The registration fee is approximately USD $225 for US residents. Visit baa.org for current qualifying standards and race dates.
3. Big Sur International Marathon — California, USA
Highway 1, the Pacific, a lone grand piano at mile 13 — and no flat miles.
| Distance | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Held | Last Sunday in April |
| Route | Big Sur Station → Carmel-by-the-Sea |
| Entry | Random drawing lottery (opens September) |
| Field Size | ~4,500 (capped) |
| Difficulty | Moderate–Hard |
Running on America’s most celebrated stretch of coastline, the Big Sur International Marathon is widely regarded as the most visually spectacular road marathon in the United States. The point-to-point course follows California State Route 1 — the first federally designated Scenic Highway in the US — for 26.2 miles (42.2 km) from Big Sur Station south to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The route features old-growth redwoods, dramatic sea cliffs, crashing Pacific surf, and the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge at mile 13 (km 21). At that same midpoint, a grand piano is positioned on the bridge each year, with a musician playing classical compositions as thousands of runners cross — one of the most distinctive and beloved traditions in all of marathon running. The course is hilly throughout, with a total elevation gain of approximately 1,949 feet (594 m), so runners should expect to work hard even as the scenery carries them forward.
The race is USATF-certified and serves as an official Boston Marathon qualifier. The field is deliberately capped at around 4,500 participants to preserve the character of the course and avoid congestion on a working public highway.
How to Enter: Entry is via a random drawing lottery that opens each September. Guaranteed entry options include charity bibs, the Race Benefactor Programme, and the Boston 2 Big Sur programme for runners who recently completed the Boston Marathon. Visit bigsurmarathon.org for current registration details and dates.
4. Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon — Valais, Switzerland
Start at valley level. Finish at 2,585 metres — with the Matterhorn in your face.
| Distance | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km |
| Start | St. Niklaus (1,116 m / 3,661 ft) |
| Finish | Riffelberg (2,585 m / 8,481 ft) |
| Elevation Gain | 1,469–1,944 m (4,820–6,378 ft) |
| Held | Early July |
| Field Size | ~1,600 runners |
| Difficulty | Very Hard |
There is nothing flat about the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon. Starting in the village of St. Niklaus at 1,116 m (3,661 ft) above sea level, the 42.195 km (26.2 mile) course climbs continuously along the deepest valley in Switzerland, past traditional Valais villages and mountain streams, before ascending steeply above the car-free resort of Zermatt to finish at Riffelberg — 2,585 metres (8,481 ft) above sea level — with a direct, unobstructed view of the iconic Matterhorn (4,478 m / 14,692 ft).
The first 21 km (13.1 miles) from St. Niklaus to Zermatt follow the Vispa River valley and are comparatively gentle, allowing runners to conserve energy for the second half. From the Zermatt Bahnhofstrasse (the halfway mark), the course turns sharply upward along alpine roads toward Sunnegga, then continues to Riffelalp at 2,222 m (7,290 ft), before the final 3 km demand a relentless 12% average gradient to the finish at Riffelberg. The total elevation gain ranges from approximately 1,469 to 1,944 metres depending on the edition — making this one of the most demanding marathon routes in Europe.
One of the race’s most charming features is the “Travelling Bleachers” — a special Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn train that carries spectators parallel to the course from St. Niklaus to Zermatt, allowing supporters to watch from moving carriages as runners pass below. For those seeking an even greater challenge, the Ultra Marathon version extends the course an additional 3.4 km (2.1 miles) and 514 m (1,686 ft) of elevation gain to the Gornergrat summit station at 3,089 m (10,135 ft).
How to Enter: Registration opens mid-August on the official website and fills within days — plan ahead. All entrants receive a Swiss Runners Ticket, providing free public transport across Switzerland for seven days around race weekend. Visit zermattmarathon.ch for current fees and registration dates. Book accommodation in Zermatt well in advance — the car-free village has limited capacity during race weekend.
5. Great Wall Marathon — Hebei Province, China
Over 5,000 stone steps. Two sections of the ancient Wall. Zero excuses to quit.
| Distance | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km |
| Wall Steps | ~5,164 steps |
| Held | 1 May (Labour Day) |
| Location | Huangyaguan, Tianjin |
| Entry | Tour package required (international runners) |
| Difficulty | Very Hard |
The Great Wall Marathon, held annually on 1 May at the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall in Tianjin, is one of the most physically punishing and visually extraordinary marathons on the planet. Approximately 5,164 stone steps must be negotiated across two sections of the ancient Wall — centuries-old masonry of uneven height and depth that reduces even experienced mountain runners to a careful, deliberate climb.
The full 26.2-mile (42.2 km) course begins on the Wall itself, descends into the valley below, passes through farming villages and along a river route, then returns to the Wall for a second section before the finish. The descent from the Wall into the valley at approximately mile 3 (km 5) presents its own challenge: each step is a different height, demanding full concentration when legs are fresh and even more when they are not. Runners who have completed this race consistently describe it as equal parts pilgrimage and ordeal.
Since its first edition in 1999, the Great Wall Marathon has been operated as a tour event by Albatross Adventure Marathons. All international runners must book through an official tour package that includes accommodation, airport transfers, guided tours of the Wall and Beijing, and race entry — making the Great Wall Marathon as much a travel experience as an athletic one.
How to Enter: Registration requires booking an official tour package through great-wall-marathon.com. The package typically includes race entry, accommodation in Beijing and near the Wall, guided excursions, and transfers. Given the logistical complexity of travel to China, early registration — ideally 6–12 months in advance — is strongly recommended.
6. Sahara Marathon — Tindouf, Algeria
A race that raises awareness — and crosses a desert — in the same breath.
| Distance | 26.2 mi / 42.2 km |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Held | February |
| Route | Aaiun Camp → Auserd → Smara Camp |
| Entry | Solidarity / charity basis — no corporate sponsorship |
| Difficulty | Moderate (heat is the principal challenge) |
There is no other marathon quite like the Sahara Marathon. Held annually in February in the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, in southwestern Algeria, this 42 km (26.2 mile) race crosses the open Sahara Desert connecting three refugee camps — Aaiun, Auserd, and Smara — and serves as an act of international solidarity with the Sahrawi people, who have lived in exile in these camps since 1975 following the disputed occupation of Western Sahara.
The race was founded in 2001 by Jeb Carney and is organised by the Secretary of State for Sport of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (RASD) with the help of international volunteers. It is a charity event — not a commercial one — and has never had corporate sponsorship. All proceeds from entry fees go directly toward education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid in the camps. Runners are hosted by Sahrawi families for the duration of their stay, making the Sahara Marathon one of the most immersive cultural experiences in sport.
The terrain is flat and the course is not technically demanding. The challenge is environmental: while summer temperatures in Tindouf can exceed 50°C (122°F), the February edition is considerably cooler, with daytime temperatures typically in the range of 20–28°C (68–82°F). What the course lacks in elevation it more than compensates for in atmosphere — running across golden desert sand between camps that have existed for five decades, cheered by Sahrawi children and families, is an experience that participants consistently describe as life-changing.
How to Enter: Registration is handled directly through saharamarathon.org. International runners must register for the race before applying for an Algerian visa. Participants can join via an organised charter flight from Madrid (which includes visa, insurance, transport, and a week’s accommodation with a Sahrawi family) or independently via Algiers at their own cost. An Algerian visa costs approximately €100. The full package is deliberately priced to prioritise accessibility.
7. Comrades Marathon — KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The Ultimate Human Race — because 26.2 miles simply wasn’t enough.
| Distance | ~55 mi / ~90 km (alternates annually) |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Held | Youth Day — 16 June |
| Route | Durban ↔ Pietermaritzburg (direction alternates each year) |
| Finishers (2025) | ~18,200 |
| Cut-off Time | 12 hours |
| Difficulty | Extreme — ultramarathon |
The Comrades Marathon occupies a category of its own. At approximately 90 km (55.9 miles) — more than double the standard marathon distance — it is the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon, run every year since 1921 between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is known as “The Ultimate Human Race,” a description that few who have finished it would dispute.
The race direction alternates each year: the “Up Run” starts in Durban (101 m / 331 ft elevation) and climbs to Pietermaritzburg (921 m / 3,022 ft), covering roughly 85–88 km (53–55 miles); the “Down Run” reverses the route, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban across approximately 89–90 km (55–56 miles). Both directions pass through the dramatic Valley of a Thousand Hills, through small South African towns, and across open hillside terrain that rewards runners with sweeping views of KwaZulu-Natal at its most unspoiled.
The culture surrounding Comrades is unlike anything else in running. At the start line, runners observe a traditional sequence: the South African national anthem, a communal singing of Shosholoza, the Chariots of Fire theme, and a rooster crow — then the gun fires. Approximately halfway, runners pass Arthur’s Seat near Drummond, a small roadside recess believed to bring luck if greeted. Tradition holds that five-time winner Arthur Newton once rested there, and runners still call out to “Arthur” as they pass. In 2025, 18,208 runners completed the race within the 12-hour cut-off.
To participate, all runners must first complete a qualifying marathon — a full 42.2 km (26.2 mile) race — within the qualification window before the race. South African athletes must be registered with a local athletics club. International athletes submit qualifying times through their national federation.
How to Enter: Entries are managed via a ballot system at comrades.com. Entry windows open in March each year and close quickly. A qualifying marathon must be completed between the close of the previous year’s race and early May of the race year. International runners are strongly encouraged to book through an accredited tour operator, as logistics in KwaZulu-Natal on race weekend are significant.
Where Will You Run?
Every marathon on this list asks something different of you. The NYC Marathon asks you to absorb a city in five acts. The Boston Marathon asks you to have earned it. Big Sur asks you to keep moving even when the view makes you want to stop. The Zermatt Marathon asks you to climb. The Great Wall Marathon asks you to negotiate 5,000 stone stairs with patience and awe. The Sahara Marathon asks you to show up in a place that the world has largely forgotten. And Comrades asks you to find out what happens to a human body — and a human spirit — at twice the normal distance.
None of these are easy. None of them are meant to be. But each one offers something that a flat, fast race on closed roads rarely does: the feeling that you are running through the world, not just across it.
If you are new to distance running, the New York City Marathon or Big Sur International Marathon offer spectacular scenic experiences without requiring a qualifying time. If you have a few marathons behind you and want to test yourself against terrain, the Zermatt Marathon is the benchmark. And if you have ever considered an ultramarathon, there is no better introduction to the African running tradition than Comrades.
Book early, train for the terrain, and respect the distance. The finish lines are unforgettable.
Sources: Boston Athletic Association, New York Road Runners, Abbott World Marathon Majors, Comrades Marathon Association, Zermatt Marathon, Sahara Marathon Association, Great Wall Marathon, Big Sur International Marathon.