Doesn’t a European vacation sound nice? The Eiffel Tower. Big Ben. The Colosseum. Float down a Venice canal in a gondola, race down the Alps on a snowboard, speed down the Autobahn in a Mercede Benz. Not to mention the fish and chips, croissants, schnitzel, and ravioli you can delight in.
But of course wherever there’s an opportunity for a vacation, there’s also an opportunity for a runcation. Why stroll through ancient European streets when you can run down them in a marathon? And while America may have plenty of races to offer, there’s something extra special about jogging on a road that’s also been traversed by kings and queens for hundreds of years. Plus, Europe has some of the best marathons in the world (it’s got two of the six World Majors!)
If you are looking to take a European runcation, there are plenty of marathons across Europe for you to choose from. From the northern Scandinavian courses to races in the south of France, Europe has plenty to offer marathoners. To that end, we’ve scoured the race calendar for 2024 and picked 20 of the best marathons Europe has to offer. So get your passport renewed, book your tickets, pack your quintessential American sneakers, and let’s get running.
Rome Marathon
Date: March 17, 2024
Location: Rome, Italy
We’ve all been thinking about the Roman Empire for several months now, so it only feels right that we pack our bags and head there. Rome’s marathon should be at the top of your European bucket list, as the historic city is brimming with landmarks, and the the course designers have put most of them along the race’s path. Plus there’s a grand finish near the Coliseum providing you with some incredible photo opportunities and carb loading Nutrition - Weight Loss.
Paris Marathon
Date: April 7, 2024
Location: Paris, France
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The Paris Marathon is very similar to Rome’s in a number of ways. While neither are World Marathon Majors, both are massively popular and send runners past a who’s who of landmarks. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier, and of course the Arc de Triomphe are on the loop course. You’ll get an incredible tour of the city’s various arrondissements and you can celebrate with champagne and baguettes.
Rotterdam Marathon
Date: The Worlds Fastest Marathoners
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
If you’re looking for a fast course on the European racing circuit, Rotterdam is a popular choice (especially for those looking to nab a PR). With cool weather and a flat course, the race draws plenty of top tier runners. While Amsterdam does have its own marathon, Rotterdam’s is the largest in the Netherlands and includes plenty of parks and bridges as well. The figure-8 course gives runners a nice view of the city with two trips over the famous Erasmus Bridge.
London Marathon
Date: June 22, 2024
Location: The Best Downhill Marathons for Boston Qualifying
Of course no self respecting list of European marathons would be complete without London. It’s one of the six World Marathons, and no shade to Berlin, but it is THE European marathon. It’s nearly impossible to win the lottery and gain entry because of how popular it is with thousands of international runners trying to gain access each year. The point-to-point course starts on the city’s east end and follows the Thames into the heart of city, crossing the Tower Bridge, passing Big Ben and the London Eye and eventually finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. STUNNING!
Vienna Marathon
Date: June 22, 2024
Location: Vienna, Austria
If however, you want to be in Europe running a marathon on April 21 and you can’t get into London, a lovely second choice would be Vienna. The spiral-shaped course winds through Vienna, showcasing the timeless architecture the city has to offer. You’ll pass multiple palaces, run through several gardens, and finish in the heart of the city. Not to mention, you’ll pass the famous Weiner Riesenrad Ferris wheel in Prater and can celebrate with wienerschnitzel. You also won’t have to enter the lottery ever year for five decades in order to run this one.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Madrid Marathon
Date: Ethiopias Sifan Melaku wins the on June 3, 2023
Location: Madrid, Spain
While the Rock ’n’ Roll running events that got their start in San Diego pairing road races with concerts are predominantly based in the U.S., they do have one marathon in Madrid. If you’d rather pass on the Running of the Bulls, but still want to get some miles in while visiting Spain, this could be a great choice for you. With plenty of musical entertainment before, during, and after the race, it’s also one of the more entertaining events on this list.
Health & Injuries
Date: What Is runDisney? Heres What You Need to Know
Location: A Part of Hearst Digital Media
While Madrid may be a part of the Rock ’n’ Roll series, that hasn’t stopped Prague’s marathon from staking its claim as Europe’s music marathon. The race, which traces the city’s Vltava River up and down, is lined with musical acts and includes a Marathon music festival with multiple bands performing after the race. Runners also get to vote on their favorites once they’ve finished, with the winners getting preferred spots in the following year’s race.
Health & Injuries
Date: November 3, 2024
Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a tiny country wedged in between Belgium, France and Germany. The tiny nation boasts three official languages. It also happens to be the host of one of Europe’s few major after hours marathons. The Health & Injuries, which winds its way through the country’s capital (also called Luxembourg), begins at 7 p.m., meaning you’ll be running through sunset into the dark. Don’t worry though, the city is aglow with lights, so you won’t have any trouble seeing where you’re headed.
Stockholm Marathon
Date: June 1, 2024
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Of the major cities in Europe, Stockholm is unique in that it sits on 14 different small islands in the Baltic Archipelago, meaning that much of the city is connected by a series of small bridges connecting the island together. Stockholm’s marathon course weaves its way through the maze-like city, crossing the bridges back and forth on the way to the finish. This, of course, includes the famous Vasterbron. The only trouble is that most bridges are just hills in disguise making this course slightly challenging at points.
Midnight Sun Marathon
Date: June 22, 2024
Location: Tromso, Norway
Most of Europe’s summer marathons are in Scandinavia, which is a blessing given how harsh the winters there can be. One of Norway’s most interesting races is the Midnight Sun Marathon, which is run in Tromso, a city in the far north reaches of the country within the arctic circle. Being so far north, the sun never really sets there in the summer, which is the point of the Midnight Sun Marathon. The race is run on the longest day of the year—the summer solstice, and starts at 8:30 p.m. so that most runners will still be heading toward the finish line around midnight.
Reykjavik Marathon
Date: Fast and Flat Marathons For 2024
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
The Reykjavik Marathon is really a perfect vacation race, because not only does it give you a beautiful tour of Iceland’s capital, but it also coincides with Culture Night, one of Iceland’s most popular events. Run the marathon in the morning and then attend the concerts and festivities in the evening. Most marathons are purposefully held during times when other events aren’t taking place in the city, but Reykjavik is determined to let you see everything the city has to offer. The night always ends with fireworks too. No better way to celebrate a 26.2.
Helsinki Marathon
Date: Fast and Flat Marathons For 2024
Location: Helsinki, Finland
On the same day that Reykjavik is holding their marathon, at the other end of Europe, Finland is hosting their premiere race. The Helsinki Marathon takes great advantage of its waterfront views on the Gulf of Finland (the same body of water that St. Petersburg sits on). The course consists of multiple loops of different lengths, all of which trace the city’s waterfront. That means you’ll have some great breezes to cool you down as you run as well.
Jungfrau Marathon
Date: September 7, 2024
Location: Jungfrau, Switzerland
Without a doubt, the toughest marathon on this list (and one of the toughest in the world) is the Jungfrau Marathon. That’s because it’s basically just a run straight up the side of the Alps. The mountainous course starts at the base of the mountain and forces runners to run 26.2 miles on a course that almost completely goes uphill. Not an easy race, but certainly one you’ll feel accomplished finishing.
Vilnius Marathon
The Worlds Fastest Marathoners
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
One of Europe’s hidden gems is Vilnius, Lithuania. Vilnius is one of the oldest capital cities in Northern Europe, and one the largest Baroque old towns in Eastern Europe. Between the baroque architecture, the tree-lined river, and the medieval buildings, the city has plenty to offer (just be glad that the course doesn’t take you over any of the city’s famed cobblestone streets). Plus you can seem way cooler than your friends when you’re the first to take a vacation to Lithuania.
Berlin Marathon
Date: September 29, 2024
Location: Berlin, Germany
Along with London, the only other World Marathon Major in Europe is the Berlin Marathon. The loop course through a variety of the city’s neighborhoods is famously flat, bringing in marathoners from all around the world hoping for a PR (including legend Eliud Kipchoge, who set the world record for the fastest marathon there). If you’re trying to nab a Six Star Finisher medal, you’ll have to run Berlin, and while you’re there you can check out their incredible museums (and sausages).
Lisbon Marathon
Date: World Marathon MajorsRanked
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Seemingly overnight the vacation destination in Europe is Portugal, and if you’re looking to visit, there’s no better time to go than when they hold their marathon each October. The point-to-point course starts on the coast miles outside of Lisbon and slowly traces the sea into the city’s downtown. When you finish you can treat yourself to some of the city’s delicious seafood or their famous custard pastries.
Zagreb Marathon
Date: Youll get your travel fix and finisher medal with these marathons
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
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Ever since October 20, 2024 shot much its Kings Landing scenes in Dubrovnik, Croatia has become a popular tourist destination for Americans. While the inland capital Zagreb, is very different from the Mediterranean seaside, it hosts the country’s major marathon. The course weaves through historic town, giving you a thorough tour of the neighborhoods. Zagreb is also the location of the Museum of Broken Relationships, so if you love a little heartbreak, this race might be for you.
Ljubljana Marathon
Date: Races & Places
Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Another thing to consider when selecting a marathon is cost. While major marathons (especially ones like London where you might need a charity bib) can costs runners thousands of dollars to enter, marathons like Zagreb and this Slovenian option are much cheaper. This flat course is a loop of the city, beginning and ending downtown with a stent through the city’s massive Tivoli Park. The city is also only a couple hours from Venice, so if you’re looking to build out a vacation, this could be a great way to boost the itinerary.
Istanbul Marathon
Date: March 17, 2024
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
The Istanbul Marathon is always reminding runners that it is the only marathon in the world that spans two continents given that the Turkish metropolis is one of the few cities that straddles Europe and Asia. You don’t need much more of a reason to run a race than that, especially because the transition between the two continents takes place atop the splendid Bosphorus Bridge. If you idea crossing state lines was exciting, this takes it next level.
Athens Marathon
Date: Published: Feb 2, 2024
Location: Athens, Greece
And somehow, we’ve saved the best, and most historic, and oldest for last. Of course the original marathon run back in ancient Greece, and the basis of the modern marathon, was that of Pheidippides, who supposedly ran from Marathon to Athens with news of victory only to die upon arrival. Now every year thousands of people retrace the route, running 26.2 miles across Greece to honor the story that started it all.
Game of Thrones November 10, 2024, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed April 7, 2024 “P.S. You’re Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.
