A portion of the population is physically and mentally incapable of wrapping their minds around the concept of distance running, of waking up at 5 am every day to hit the pavement, of pushing yourself until you nearly lose consciousness and liking it. Does that sound like something healthy and fun or something tortuous and masochistic? Seems like the answer is a straightforward one.
Another portion of the population, the masochists, don’t find it so straightforward. They live and breathe every aspect of the sport, including, somehow, the 5 am wake up calls. The concept of a love-hate relationship was born to describe a distance runner’s feelings towards distance running. But nothing gives them that endorphin-fueled elation, nothing is more rewarding or exhilarating, than crossing the finish line after 26.2 brutal, grueling miles.
Running has, and always will be, part of what makes me, me. Injury after injury has prevented me from engaging in this particular part of me for a year and a half, and it is difficult to see a light at the end of the tunnel, another road race a milestone I feel I may never meet again. It is these sorts of times, my mother reminded me, where I really need to keep having faith, keep thinking positive thoughts, and keep looking forward to the day that my running shoes hit the pavement, joints pain-free, once again.
Here are some of the world’s best, most renowned, wackiest, or most rewarding races that every runner, and the masochist inside of her, needs to run at least once (and that I plan to run at least once, after my body is done being a little bitch).
January
Star Wars Half Marathon (Anaheim, California, USA)
Star Wars nerds, this one is for you. This themed half-marathon takes you through Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, and Garden Grove, complete with cosplayers dressed in Star Wars costumes to make you feel like the Force is with you as you finish 13.1 miles (is it apparent I am not a Star Wars person? The only time I tried to watch was with an old boyfriend and I slept through 5/6 movies, but have heard great things about this half).
Walt Disney World Marathon (Orlando, Florida, USA)
After hitting up Disneyland, hop on a flight down to Disney World in Orlando, Florida for a unique marathon experience, so unique that the races sell out way far in advance. If you don’t dress up, you’re doing this race wrong. This race is crowded as hell, but it is in the most magical place on Earth, and is something every runner, serious or not, should do at least once.
February
Rock ‘N’ Roll New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
New Orleans is one of the coolest cities I’ve ever visited, with a ton of culture, an amazing music scene, and unparalleled FOOD (probably the best part). This Rock ‘N’ Roll event, a marathon, half marathon, 10k, and 5k, has all that and more, with tons of spectators and bands and live entertainment everywhere you turn. It’s a fun race in a fun city and you will not be bored, even as you knock on death’s doorway around mile 22.
Tokyo Marathon (Tokyo, Japan)
This marathon based in Japan’s capital city is one of the six World Marathon Majors. With over 300k entrants per year, only about 10% are chosen (so this thing is more exclusive than a liberal arts school in upstate New York). What better excuse to head to Tokyo than by being granted entry to one of the world’s most prestigious races? I certainly can’t think of any better.
Cradle Mountain Run (Tasmania, Australia)
This is an 82 kilometer race, so prepare yourself. You also need to have completed another race that is over 80k, North Face 100 in under 20 hours, or XPD or similar Adventure Race to even be considered for this run, which takes you from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair overland track, a famous trail in Tasmania (for all trail runners out there). It takes you through Tasmania’s Cradle Mt Lake St Clair National Park and World Heritage Area, a trail which has deep mud and roots in spots, and the field is limited to 60 runners, making finishing this run one of the most impressively unique things you can do.
March
Antarctica Marathon (Antarctica)
This race is one I have been jonesing to do for a long, long time. The website lists out various packages for the logistics of this race, all planned by Marathons Tours and Travel, the itinerary including three days in Buenos Aires, a day in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, and several days at sea on the way to Antarctica with plenty of videos and opportunities to learn about this largely unvisited continent, including visiting iceburgs and fjords and humpback whales and penguins (!!!). The race itself is incredible, especially if you are trying to complete a marathon on every continent, but the entire experience is once-in-a-lifetime.
Hot Chocolate 15k/5k (San Diego, California, USA)
Chocolate lovers, get out your wallets and book a trip to San Diego (or Chicago, or Philadelphia, or most any other major US city). The San Diego is hilly and will kick your ass, but you get a swaggy jacket out of it and all the chocolate and chocolate fondue you can eat mid- and post-race.
April
Big Sur International Marathon (Carmel, California, USA)
Beginning in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, this marathon runs along the Pacific Coast in California and offers some of the most breath-takingly gorgeous views in the world. It is one of the most sought-after races in America, all spots filling up within an hour of the opening of registration. They try to keep the race small, since it is along the Pacific Coast Highway, which only accommodates so many runners, and is an end-to-end course with only so many buses. If you don’t want to run an entire marathon of rolling hills and cliffs and beaches, there is also a 21 mile race, a relay, and a 5k.
Boston Marathon (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
This is the big daddy of all marathons. The marathon everyone wants to run, but not everyone will qualify for (in 5 marathons I have yet to qualify for it. CURSES). It is one of six World Marathon Majors alongside the Tokyo Marathon, and it is the world’s oldest annual marathon. And it takes place every year on Patriot’s Day, one of the few events in the United States to continue on through the world wars, and its aura is something distinctly American, the excitement of the race historically bringing people from all over the country together for one unifying event. Here is the list of qualifying times by age group so you can start training now.
Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (Washington DC, USA)
Climate change, despite being a hoax invented by the Chinese, is a nasty little bugger. In the years that I have been living in DC, the cherry blossoms have bloomed early and then died early, meaning that this race caaan be hit or miss. It is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in March and April in DC, and is meant to coincide with the peak bloom of the DC cherry blossoms. On years that it is, it is the coolest way to see the cherry blossoms in all their glory, as well as the monuments and sites of the capital city.
May
500 Festival Mini Marathon (Indianapolis, Indiana, USA)
Behold the largest half marathon in the United States, as well as the seventh largest race in the country. It includes an entire lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and runs through downtown Indianapolis. It’s like the Indy 500, but on foot, which is an incredible and surreal opportunity for anyone (I am dying to do it and I could not give two shits about race car driving).
Great Wall Marathon (Great Wall of China)
This marathon is exactly how it sounds: 26.2 miles along the Huangya Pass of the fugging GREAT WALL OF CHINA. There are a lot of stone steps and really, really steep climbs, so don’t expect this to be anything but brutal, but the end result is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and some incredibly dope pictures.
Bolder Boulder (Boulder, Colorado, USA)
One of my earliest racing memories was at the Bolder Boulder, sprinting the kid’s 200 meter fun run, convincing everyone in my path that I won the entire thing, and watching my mom run the 10k among the tens of thousands of runners, the Boulder flatirons setting the backdrop. This race is held every memorial day, it is the third largest road race in the country, and Runner’s World named it “America’s All-Time Best 10k.” The fact that it is located in the best mountain town around makes registering even more irresistible.
Bay to Breakers (San Francisco, California, USA)
Bay to Breakers is a 12k that has been run for more consecutive years over a given course at a given length than any other race in the entire world. It starts near the Bay and runs through to where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach. It was originally started after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, broke a world record in 1986 as the world’s largest footrace with over 110,000 participants, and is still an incredibly popular race today.
Vancouver International Marathon (Vancouver, Canada)
Canada is one of my favorite countries, full of both friendly faces and beautiful places. The Vancouver International Marathon is considered the World’s Best Top Scenic Destination Marathon, which is a big deal, since there is an absurd number of scenic destination marathons all across the globe. How can you pass that up?
June
The Hatfield-McCoy Marathon (Williamson, West Virginia, USA)
Most people probably have not heard of this race, a race based on the battles dating back to the Civil War era in the valley of the Tug River between the original feuding families, the Hatfields and the McCoys. The feud began in the 1880s when a Hatfield boy was killed by three McCoys and eventually became a feud between states, the Hatfields residing in West Virginia and the McCoys in Kentucky. Upon registration you are assigned to either the Hatfield or McCoy team and the race winds through both West Virginia and Kentucky. The team with the fastest average finish time at the end wins. Not surprising that Runner’s World named it one of the top ten fun bucket list marathons in the world.
Italy Coast to Coast (Italy)
When they say “coast to coast” they mean coast to coast. This is a four-day relay that crosses from the Adriatic Sea in the east to the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west, passing through beautiful Tuscan countryside and medieval castles and some of the lesser known nooks of the country as well. The race structure is teams made up of 10 members each, so each member will run a daily leg of 12 to 15 miles.
Safaricom Marathon (Isiolo, Kenya)
Running a marathon on an African wildlife preserve…need I go on? (The money raised from this race goes towards conservation and community development across Kenya and has raised over $5.5 million to date, if you need any more motivation).
Mayor’s Midnight Marathon (Anchorage, Alaska, USA)
Ah, Alaska, a place everyone wants to see and should definitely see at some point (and what better excuse to make the hike than a marathon bib waiting for you in Anchorage?). The race takes place during the summer solstice, when the days are long as hell, but, being in Alaska, is not going to be swelteringly hot. Plus, it’s Alaska, and it is beautiful.
Midnight Sun Run (Reykjavik, Iceland)
The Midnight Sun Run in Iceland is also during the summer solstice, when there are very few hours in a day without daylight, so it takes place in the evening. The half marathon starts and finishes by one of Reykjavik’s geothermal outdoor swimming pools, Laugardalslaug, so after finishing the race in beautiful Iceland, you can jump in the pool, hot tubs, or steam baths (so skip the Blue Lagoon on this trip).
July
Swiss Alpine Marathon (Davos, Switzerland)
SWITZERLAND. The marathon is the highest altitude mountain marathon in Europe, running through four alpine valleys, and is a unique, scenic experience. Mountain running is always, always a good idea.
Missoula Marathon (Missoula, Montana, USA)
In 2010, the Missoula Marathon won the Best Marathon in the United States award by Runner’s World. If you don’t live there, you may never make it to Montana except to run this race, and that is a shame, because Montana is a gem of America. This marathon (or half marathon, depending on what you register for) is a small town race where the whole community gathers to spectate, and the course offers breath-taking views and natural beauty to spare.
Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon (Sonoma, California, USA)
As its name suggests, this half marathon runs from the Cuvaison Carneros Winery in Napa and continues along a quick course through wine country, finishing in Sonoma at City Hall. There is also a wine festival at the finish line, so prepare yourself for many, many a glass of some of the country’s best wine.
August
Inca Trail Marathon (Cusco, Peru)
Similar to running a marathon along the Great Wall of China, running a marathon along the Inca Trail of Machu Picchu is both incredibly challenging and incredibly rewarding. And IT’S MACHU PICCHU. That’s a bucket list item in and of itself.
City2Surf Sydney (Sydney, Australia)
City2Surf is a sort of sister race to Bay to Breakers in San Francisco and runs from (believe it or not) the city center of Sydney to Bondi Beach, hence the City2Surf name. The course is a random ass 13.917 kilometer distance, but is one big fun fest, with tons of participants and crazy costumes.
September
Le Marathon du Medoc (Pauillac, France)
Go ahead and skip races that run through Paris and instead fly into Bordeaux to run Le Marathon du Medoc, a marathon serving wine and local delicacies such as oysters and cheese at the water stops between chateaus. The French don’t think wine is bad for running. Stupid Americans, so serious.
Jackson Hole Marathon (Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA)
Anyone who knows anything should know that Jackson Hole is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. This race takes you from the city of Jackson and runs through rolling hills in the shadows of the Grand Tetons. It’s a small marathon and at high elevation, so while you may not be PRing, you will definitely appreciate the amazing scenery (and maybe even some elk!).
Run Woodstock (Pinckney, Michigan, USA)
Probably the chillest race you could ever run, this race doesn’t even have a real expo, just a quick check-in to grab your bib and t-shirt. Most people will arrive early and pitch a tent; there are showers and food trucks in the area making for a relaxing weekend (except, obviously, when you’re running one of the trail races, ranging from a “far out five” to a “hundie,” but even those are pretty chill). The event emphasizes that they are celebrating freedom and health by going back to a time of nature and meditation. Peace, love, and running, man.
Kauai Half Marathon (Kauai, Hawaii, USA)
Everyone wants to go to Hawaii, but some of the races on the main island are crowded and the same destination races everyone is signing up for. Kauai, though, is a different island that is less frequented, and thus the half marathon there has more of a small-town feel. It begins before sunrise and is blazing hot, but brings you through the Hawaiian mountains, lush countryside, and beaches, and you are greeted by native Hawaiian hulu dancers and drummers who line the course to provide entertainment and cheer you on.
October
Chicago Marathon (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
Another one of the six World Marathon Majors! This is also a great marathon to run if you want to qualify for Boston, because it is relatively fast and flat and draws people hoping to reach personal records from all over the world. It is also one of the fastest growing marathons in the world, so spots are limited.
Wineglass Marathon (New York, New York, USA)
This race starts in Bath, NY and finishes in Corning, NY, and is another must for any wine lover (it turns out, from my perusal of Instagram, that lots and lots of runners are fanatics of wine. It also turns out that wine country in upstate New York does not get enough credit). Everyone gets wine at the finish line, and the area has a ton of microbreweries, vineyards, and delicious local eateries.
Grand Circle Trailfest (Bryce Canyon, Zion, & Grand Canyon, USA)
This is less of a race and more of a series of races. I first saw this pop up on my Facebook as an ad and have been obsessively researching it ever since. It is a three day trail-running festival that takes place in Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks, each race equaling 13 miles, 12 miles, and 19 miles respectively. AS IF seeing some of North America’s most gorgeous parks is not enough, the festival also includes activities such as bonfires, live music, and a film festival for runners to enjoy.
November
New York City Marathon (New York, New York, USA)
The largest marathon in the world doesn’t have to work hard to earn itself a place on any distance runner’s bucket list, but the New York Marathon, one of the World Marathon Majors that attracts some really famous faces, including P. Diddy, Pippa Middleton, Natalie Dormer, and Bobby Flay, has certainly earned its spot on mine. It is exclusive as fuck, with only a 17% acceptance rate, and runs through all five boroughs, making it an awesome way to see the city for those unfamiliar.
Athens Marathon (Athens, Greece)
Everyone knows the story behind the marathon distance, right? Pheidippides, a messenger in Ancient Greece, ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greeks’ victory over the Persians, a 26.2 mile jaunt, and upon arrival, dropped dead. Now millions of people all over the world run in thousands of marathons every year, and most of them live to tell the tale. This marathon in Athens is based on that Ancient Greek legend, and has become a highly-respected and award-winning race since its inception. And it finishes at the famous Panathenaic Stadium, so you can go ahead and cross that off your list of sites to see while you’re there.
Great Ethiopian Run (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
If you want a little break from the marathons upon marathons, sign up for this 10k in Addis Adaba, Ethiopia, the biggest running event in all of Africa. Though it doesn’t necessarily attract a lot of elite runners from other countries, the number of race entrants has increased quickly over the years, and lots of fun runners come from all over the world. It is also at 8,000 feet above sea level, so prepare your pansy little lungs for a wild run and a unique cultural experience unlike any you’ve ever had before.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA)
This was probably the most exciting marathon I’ve run, a new way to experience The Strip and the liveliness of Sin City without the gambling and high heels. Read my review on the race here; the race is massive, and the stretches on The Strip are bright and invigorating.
December
Reggae Marathon (Kingston, Jamaica)
Jamaica’s Reggae Marathon is self-proclaimed to be one of the world’s most famous marathons, starting at Long Bay Beach Park in Negril by the beautiful white sand beach, and then heads towards Green Island. It attracts a lot of runners from all over because it is flat and fast, but also because of its cultural attractions, including its post-race beach party and live reggae music along the course.
New Year Midnight Run (New York, New York, USA)
There’s always the option of drinking way too much cheap liquor, stumbling around downtown and paying $30 cover to get into a random bar, and then going home after an anti-climatic ball drop and ordering a giant pizza. ORRR you could strap on your running shoes and ring in the new year running through beautiful Central Park with a bunch of other sober runners, excited about starting the year off right. After plenty of stumbling around and drinking cocktails, I know what I am leaning towards.
Would you run any of these races? Have you already run any of them? What races are on your bucket list?
