In 2024, the world’s most iconic marathon races continue to attract elite athletes, amateur runners, and enthusiastic spectators alike. Here is a look at the top 10 most popular marathon races in the world for 2024. Marathons have long been a test of endurance, spirit, and determination, and they invite thousands of runners from all over the world to participate annually.
Top 10 Most Popular Marathon Races In The World 2024 List
1. Honolulu Marathon
The Honolulu Marathon is a celebration of culture, endurance, and the stunning scenery of Hawaii, not just a race. This yearly marathon, which takes place on the island of Oahu, has grown to become one of the most recognizable in the world, drawing runners from all over the world. Be it your first time running 26.2 miles or you’re an experienced marathoner, the Honolulu Marathon promises an amazing experience. It is one of the world’s largest marathons, taking place annually.
2. London Marathon
Athletes of the highest caliber and runners of all skill levels compete in the London Marathon, which is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious and iconic running events in the world. This marathon, which takes place every year in the bustling and historic city of London, provides participants with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the city’s illustrious culture, iconic buildings, and the electric atmosphere that only London can deliver.
3. New York City Marathon
4. Big Sur International Marathon
The New York City Marathon is more than just a race; it is a phenomenon that occurs all over the world and attracts millions of spectators and tens of thousands of runners every year. This marathon is one of the largest and most prestigious in the world, and it is held every year on the first Sunday of November. It provides a one-of-a-kind combination of metropolitan excitement, different cultural experiences, and the challenge of a lifetime.
5. Great Wall Marathon
The Great Wall Marathon is one of the most extraordinary and challenging marathons in the world. It provides runners with the extraordinary opportunity to compete on one of the most significant architectural accomplishments in the history of humanity-made structures. This marathon is held every year in May and takes place on the famous Great Wall of China. It features stunning scenery, a rich history, and a physically tough course that puts even the most experienced competitors to the test. it is started in 1999, the race has grown to several hundred participants.
6. Rome Marathon
The Rome Marathon, which is sometimes referred to as the Maratona di Roma, provides runners with the opportunity to compete through history due to the fact that the course winds through the streets of one of the most historically significant and culturally diverse cities in the world. Not only is the Rome Marathon a test of endurance, but it is also a tour through the heart of ancient Rome, past renowned sights that have lasted the test of time. The Rome Marathon is held every year in March.
7. Midnight Sun Marathon
The Midnight Sun Marathon, which is organised on an annual basis in Tromsø, Norway, is a marathon that is both exceptional and captivating, as it takes place in the very center of the Arctic Circle. In addition to being famous for the midnight sun phenomenon, which occurs when the sun continues to be visible at midnight during the summer months, this marathon provides runners with the opportunity to enjoy a racing atmosphere that is absolutely remarkable.
8. Paris Marathon
The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, which is formally known as the Paris Marathon, is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious and the most highly anticipated marathons in the entire world. The joy of running is combined with the appeal of having the opportunity to race in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities on the planet during this marathon, which takes place every year in April.
9. Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world and is considered to be one of the most renowned road racing events. It is held on Patriots Day, which is annually celebrated on the third Monday in April. From its humble beginnings as a local race with only fifteen competitors in 1897, the Boston Marathon has evolved into a worldwide competition that draws in the most accomplished athletes and runners with a passion for the sport from all over the world.
10. Big Five Marathon
One of the most extraordinary and exhilarating marathon experiences that can be found anywhere in the globe is the Big Five Marathon. This event, which takes place every year in the Entabeni Game Reserve in South Africa, provides runners with the remarkable opportunity to run through the natural habitat of Africa’s “Big Five” game creatures, which are lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceroses. As a result of the Big Five Marathon’s ability to mix the excitement of a difficult marathon with the breathtaking beauty of the African wilderness, it is an event that runners who are looking for an adventure should absolutely participate in. It is a marathon race situated on the savannahs of South Africa.