Worldwide marathons
From coastal races in Australia to fast winter events in the Middle East and scenic city routes in South America, marathons worldwide offer unforgettable travel experiences. Whether you’re planning a warm-weather winter race or a bucket-list destination run, staying in the right area can make race weekend smoother and more enjoyable.
Below you’ll find some of the most popular marathons around the world, with hotel and neighbourhood suggestions near start and finish areas, plus regional tips to help plan your trip.
Sydney Marathon
Participants: +35,000
Spectacular course across Sydney Harbour Bridge, finishing at the Opera House. Best areas: Circular Quay or Darling Harbour.
Dubai Marathon
Participants: +30,000
Flat, fast winter race ideal for personal best attempts. Stay in Downtown or Jumeirah for easy access.
Abu Dhabi Marathon
Participants: +30,000
Modern, scenic course along the Corniche and through city landmarks. Stay near Corniche or Al Maryah Island.
- Cape Town Marathon
- Buenos Aires Marathon
- Gold Coast Marathon
- Rio de Janeiro Marathon
- Auckland Marathon
- Mexico City Marathon
- Marrakech Marathon
- Lima Marathon
- Santiago Marathon
Middle East
Dubai • Abu Dhabi • Jerusalem • Doha
Africa
Cape Town • Nairobi • Marrakech
Oceania
Sydney • Gold Coast • Auckland
South America
Buenos Aires • Rio de Janeiro • Lima • Santiago
Central America & Caribbean
Mexico City • Havana • Kingston
Climate varies significantly by region, with most major marathons held during cooler seasons.
- Middle East:
Best months: Dec–Feb (mild winter, ideal conditions) - Africa:
Best months vary
South Africa: Sep–Nov, Morocco: Oct–Apr - Oceania (Australia, NZ):
Best months: Jun–Sep — Southern Hemisphere winter - South America:
Best months: Sep–Dec (spring) or Mar–May (autumn) - Caribbean / Central America:
Warm all year; avoid hurricane season: Jun–Nov
➡ In short:
Most runners target races during local winter or spring to avoid heat and humidity.
1) Build in travel buffer days
Time zone changes can affect sleep & performance, arrive early.
2) Visa requirements
Check well in advance; documents may be required at bib pickup.
3) Currency & mobile payments
Cards widely accepted in big cities; smaller places may prefer cash.
4) Heat + altitude
Some races are held in warm climates or moderate elevation → adjust pacing.
5) Expo location
Check how far the expo is from your hotel; transport can vary widely.
6) Language & communication
Most major races have English info; smaller ones may not — prepare.
7) Opposite seasons
Southern Hemisphere is opposite Europe/US → winter = June–August.
