Where running is uniquely rewarding
Having just experienced (albeit vicariously) the Brighton and London marathons, we were intrigued by this
Forbes list of 12 marathons worth traveling for in 2025. It might be too late to add some of these to your 2025 race plan —but there’s always 2026… And most importantly these races and places have all been chosen by Forbes because they’re stunning, suitable for running (marathon or not) have sublimely luxe post-running R&R retreats. All of which makes them top of any destination wish list in our books.
We love the sound of the Malta marathon and not just because its mostly downhill from 623-feet-above-sea-level medieval Mdina to actual sea level, but because it snakes down through Baroque towns, beautiful countryside and past Moorish façades. The Rome marathon tests its runners with a tough four miles of cobblestones but also rewards them with an antiquities, monuments and classical building-packed route that includes the Colosseum, Circus Maximus and the Spanish Steps.
Birthplace of the American Revolution, academic and biotech hub Boston boasts the world’s oldest annual marathon on one of the world’s toughest courses (a quick sprint up Heartbreak Hill anyone?), while Vancouver’s spectacularly scenic marathon course makes the most of its urban meets nature coastal mountain and Pacific Ocean setting past Wreck Beach, through Yaletown, the West End and downtown.
Taking on the Aruba marathon means training for tropical heat but also for a run past pristine beaches, palms and native divi-divi trees alongside crystal-clear water toward the beachside finish line—and party. The Marathon du Médoc through bucolic vineyards outside Bordeaux also sounds tough but for a whole different set of reasons—with traditional water stations swapped for wine and cheese stations. That joie-de-vivre imbued finish line might prove particularly elusive!
Budapest marathon ticks off the sights with a route that includes grand boulevards, beautiful old buildings and riverfront past Andrassy Avenue, the Chain Bridge, Buda Castle and the Danube. Flat, fast and fabulous Chicago marathon starts and ends in 312-plus acre Grant Park and takes runners through the heart of downtown and alongside the wide expanse of Lake Michigan.
Lisbon’s gorgeous ocean and riverside race has been dubbed one of the most beautiful marathon routes in the world heading from Carcavelos on the Atlantic Ocean coast, along the banks of the river Tagus and underneath the Ponte 25 de Abril. While New York marathon is on many running bucket lists, taking over the city from Staten Island, through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before a spectacular Central Park finish.
Garden City Singapore’s marathon starts at the FI Pit Building and continues in car racing style with twists, turns and fast straight lines past architectural landmarks and lush garden-scapes. And included in Forbes’ list as a bonus race (and our least favorite!) is the Lotte World Tower Sky Run in Seoul—an incredible vertical dash up 123 stories or 2,917 steps. Apparently, the views at the top are absolutely worth it, but we might just stick to the lift.
Run, don’t walk, this way to Aruba,
booth B020; Bordeaux,
booth D150; Boston,
booth C140; Budapest,
booth G300; Chicago,
booth C200; Lisbon,
booth D100; Malta,
booth D120; New York,
booth C170; Rome,
booth D400; Seoul,
booth C460; Singapore,
booth C400; Vancouver,
booth C300
