The best marathons you probably haven't heard of
By Alex Harris published
Didn't get a place at London? Don’t fret. Here are the best marathons from around the world you probably haven't heard of

- 1. The Vodafone Malta Marathon – Malta – 23rd February
- 2. Geneva Marathon for Unicef – Switzerland – 4th May
- 3. Great Wall Marathon – China – 17th May
- 4. ASICS Stockholm Marathon – Sweden – 31st May
- 5. Rio Marathon – Brazil – 27th July
- 6. Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon – Canada – 28th September
- 7. BMW Frankfurt Marathon – Germany – 26th October
- 8. Beirut International Marathon – Lebanon – 9th November
- 9. Antarctic Ice Marathon – Antarctica – 18th November
1. The Vodafone Malta Marathon – Malta – 23rd February
Enjoy a gradual 200m descent from start to finish taking in some of Malta’s picturesque countryside and historic towns (pictured above) while running in temperatures that should peak at the mid-teens.
maltamarathon.com (opens in new tab)
2. Geneva Marathon for Unicef – Switzerland – 4th May
Starting in the Swiss countryside near imposing Alpine summits, you’ll race through ten of the city’s districts as well as a stretch along the scenic Lake Geneva before completing the course on the stunning Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge.
genevemarathon.org (opens in new tab)
3. Great Wall Marathon – China – 17th May
Completing a marathon on one of the planet’s most iconic settings must be one of the most memorable things you could ever do. Expect a number of steep climbs and uneven terrain to truly test your awareness and endurance.
great-wall-marathon.com (opens in new tab)
4. ASICS Stockholm Marathon – Sweden – 31st May
Finishing in the legendary 1912 Olympic Stadium, the two-lap course takes in many of the city’s landmarks including its numerous waterways and the stunning island of Djurgården.
stockholmmarathon.se (opens in new tab)
5. Rio Marathon – Brazil – 27th July
Hot on the heels of the World Cup, you could sample the sights, sounds and scenery of Brazil’s colourful capital while dashing through the city, all under the watchful gaze of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.
maratonadorio.com.br (opens in new tab)
6. Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Marathon – Canada – 28th September
If you’re after a new PB then this course around Canada’s second city could be the one for you thanks to a pancake flat route and pumping live music every mile to keep your spirits up. This marathon's landmarks include Notre-Dame Island and the F1 track before finishing at the Olympic Stadium for a massive rock concert.
ca.competitor.com (opens in new tab)
7. BMW Frankfurt Marathon – Germany – 26th October
Forget Berlin, Frankfurt’s fast, flat and circular course takes you on a whistle-stop tour of its finest historical and modern buildings, culminating in a red carpet finish at the Festhalle.
bmw-frankfurt-marathon.com (opens in new tab)
8. Beirut International Marathon – Lebanon – 9th November
Race around the ‘Paris of the Middle East’ with 30,000 other competitors from more than 70 countries in this increasingly popular event that has a postive theme of unity at its core.
beirutmarathon.org (opens in new tab)
9. Antarctic Ice Marathon – Antarctica – 18th November
Conquer one of the most remote places on Earth and defeat extreme weather conditions over a course on the seventh continent that will test your resolve and push you to the limit.
icemarathon.com (opens in new tab)
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