Spectacular running routes at IMEX
Where destinations turn marathons into immersive journeys
Inspired by our own (well, our home town’s) recent Brighton Marathon and the record-shattering London Marathon,
this Condé Nast Traveller article, had the IMEXscoop team eyeing up their trainers—and suitcases.
Over recent years, marathons have evolved into far more than endurance events. For many runners they’re immersive journeys through culture, landscape and city identity. From coastal highways to historic capitals and volcanic terrain, the world’s most visually striking marathon routes show how place can elevate performance and participation alike.
In California, the Big Sur International Marathon stretches along the rugged coastline between Big Sur and Carmel offering iconic scenery and sweeping Pacific views for the ultimate runner’s high. Or instead, runners can combine a shorter run through gentler scenery with wine tasting at the Napa to Sonoma Half.
Detroit’s Free Press International Marathon offers a rare opportunity to cross international borders mid-race as it dips in and out of Canada before returning runners into the heart of its evolving downtown.
London blends pageantry with pace, with the London Marathon weaving past royal palaces and parks, historic bridges and globally recognized landmarks. Or for runners not lucky enough to get through the notoriously oversubscribed ballot, there’s the London Landmarks Half a few weeks earlier.
Southern Europe brings sun-soaked scenery and history in equal measure. The Athens Marathon route pairs coastal roads with ancient backdrops (and the race very aptly starts in the town of Marathon). Spain’s Tossa de Mar Run Festival does usually clash with IMEX, but delivers on affordability, challenge and scenic coastal views.
For runners drawn to dramatic natural settings, Iceland and Norway stand out. Iceland’s Volcano Marathon is defined by stark beauty—lava fields, volcanic craters and wide-open skies—for a races that feels both elemental and other worldly. Norway’s Midnight Sun Marathon combines fjords, forests and the midnight sun for one of northernmost races in the world.
South Africa’s Big Five Marathon celebrates the country’s striking biodiversity with a run through a game reserve that combines running with wildlife spotting. And for the ultimate adventure, China’s Great Wall Marathon, sees runners taking on a strenuous and stunning route along the top of the Great Wall.
Run don’t walk to California booth E255; China booth G405; Detroit booth E200; Greece booth D300; Iceland booth B220; London booth B449; Norway booth B210; South Africa booth D520; Spain booth D350
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