Opening Times
Picture this – you’re tying your laces as the sun rises behind Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Or you’re swept up in the hum of thousands of runners charging through Central Park, the city buzzing around you.
Running a marathon abroad isn’t just about ticking off 26.2 miles. It’s about discovering new places and collecting stories that stay with you long after the medal is hung up.
Whether you’re dreaming of the Abbott World Marathon Majors or curious about scenic races around the world, this guide will help you find your next challenge. Are you ready to turn it into something unforgettable?
Why run a marathon abroad?
There’s something quietly transformative about running in a new country. A marathon becomes more than a race – it becomes a full-blown adventure.
You’re not just following a route. You’re moving through culture, history, and atmosphere in a way most travellers never do.
- You experience a destination from a completely different perspective
- You pass landmarks not as a tourist, but as part of the moment
- You join a global community connected by the same goal
- You create memories that stretch far beyond the finish line
And then there’s the challenge. Different climates, unfamiliar terrain, shifting time zones – they all test you in new ways. Often, that’s where the breakthroughs happen.
The bucket list – Abbott World Marathon Majors
For many runners, the Abbott World Marathon Majors represent the ultimate goal – a collection of races that are as iconic as they are demanding. Complete six, and you’ll earn the Six Star Medal – a symbol of dedication that carries real weight in the running world. But even one of these races is something special.
1. TCS London Marathon
Our home major has a magic of its own. Every April, London transforms its streets, lined with cheering crowds and dedicated runners. It’s an atmosphere that feels more like a celebration than a race. You’ll cross Tower Bridge, run along the Thames, and finish on The Mall – a stretch that never fails to give runners goosebumps.
2. BMW Berlin Marathon
Berlin is where speed meets history. Known for its flat, fast course, it’s the place many runners come to chase personal bests – and where records are often broken. The final stretch through the Brandenburg Gate is unforgettable. It’s a finish that feels as powerful as the city itself.
3. Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago delivers big-city energy in every stride. The course weaves through diverse neighbourhoods, each bringing its own rhythm, its own crowd, its own spark. It’s fast, vibrant, and full of life. There’s just enough time after the race to reward yourself with deep-dish pizza and a bit of blues.
4. TCS New York City Marathon
New York doesn’t do things quietly – and neither does its marathon. From the moment you step onto the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, you feel it – the scale, the noise, and the sheer energy. Five boroughs later, when you reach Central Park, it feels like you’ve run through the heartbeat of the world.
5. Boston Marathon
Boston is where marathon history lives. It’s the oldest annual marathon, and earning your place on that start line means something. Heartbreak Hill tests your legs – and your mindset. But crossing Boylston Street? That’s a moment that stays with you.
6. Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo offers something beautifully different. Seamless organisation meets a city where tradition and modern life exist side by side. From start to finish, the experience feels considered, calm, and quietly spectacular.
Destination marathons – races worth travelling for
Some marathons aren’t about pace – they’re about presence. These are the races where your watch matters a little less, and the world around you matters a lot more.
They invite you to slow down, lift your head, and take it all in. Sometimes the real reward isn’t your finish time, it’s the experience itself.
Big Sur International Marathon – USA
This is running at its most cinematic – the kind of course that feels almost too beautiful to be real.
The route hugs California’s rugged Highway 1, with the Pacific Ocean stretching endlessly beside you. Waves crash against the rocks below, cliffs rise dramatically to your side, and every turn seems to reveal a new postcard view. At times, it’s so breathtaking you’ll forget you’re mid-race.
But Big Sur doesn’t give those views away easily. The rolling hills come one after another, the coastal winds can shift without warning, and the elevation keeps your legs working from start to finish.
There’s a moment many runners talk about – crossing Bixby Creek Bridge, often with a lone pianist playing nearby. It’s quiet, powerful, and unlike anything you’ll experience in a city marathon.
Midnight Sun Marathon – Norway
Imagine starting a marathon late in the evening… and finishing under a bright, golden sky. No darkness, no shadows – just an endless stretch of daylight. Welcome to Tromsø, deep inside the Arctic Circle, where the sun simply doesn’t set.
The Midnight Sun Marathon feels dreamlike from the very beginning. As you run through quiet streets and along open roads, you’re surrounded by snow-capped peaks, glassy fjords, and air so crisp it almost sharpens your senses.
Time behaves differently here. Your body expects night – but the sky says otherwise. It creates a strange, exhilarating rhythm where fatigue and adrenaline blur together.
Crowds gather despite the late hour, bringing warmth and energy to the course. And as you move through the landscape, there’s a sense of calm that’s hard to describe – like the whole world has paused just for this moment.
Great Wall Marathon – China
This is where running becomes something deeper – part physical challenge, part personal test, part journey through history. The Great Wall Marathon is known as one of the toughest races on the planet, and it earns that reputation with every step. Quite literally.
You’ll climb and descend thousands of uneven stone steps, some steep, some narrow, all demanding your full attention. There are stretches where running simply isn’t possible – and that’s part of the experience.
But between those intense sections, the course opens up into rural Chinese villages and rolling countryside. Locals line parts of the route, offering encouragement, curiosity, and glimpses into daily life far removed from the usual tourist paths.
And then there’s the Wall itself. Ancient and stretching beyond what you can see – a constant reminder of the scale of what you’re running on.
How InsureandGo supports your journey
A marathon abroad isn’t just another trip – it’s something you’ve worked towards for months.
That’s why our travel insurance is designed to support you throughout your journey. From protecting your gear to helping if plans change for covered reasons, we’re here when it matters most.
If injury or illness stops you from racing, or something unexpected disrupts your trip, our policies can help with the financial side – depending on your level of cover. And if you need medical support while you’re away, we’ll help you access appropriate care.
Because when you’re focused on the finish line, it’s good to know someone’s looking out for everything else.
Ready to go the distance?
Destination marathons remind us that running isn’t always about speed – sometimes, it’s about where your feet can take you.
These races offer more than just a finish time. They give you stories and moments that stay with you long after the medal is packed away. So if you’re choosing your next challenge, ask yourself this – do you want to run a race, or experience one?
The world is full of start lines. You just have to pick the one that moves you.
