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The 19 Greatest Marathons in the World

by YPB Team

Record-chasing flat courses face off against cliffside scenery, ancient history and brutal climbs, with a few hidden gems among the famous majors. Which finish line is on your list?

  1. Boston Marathon — ranked #11
    Boston Marathon
    The world's oldest annual marathon, run since 1897, with qualifying times that make entry a badge of honor.
    1000pts
  2. New York City Marathon — ranked #22
    New York City Marathon
    The world's largest marathon, crossing all five boroughs and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
    763pts
  3. Twin Cities Marathon — ranked #33
    Twin Cities Marathon
    The 'most beautiful urban marathon in America', winding past lakes from Minneapolis to St. Paul.
    624pts
  4. Amsterdam Marathon — ranked #44
    Amsterdam Marathon
    A flat course along the Amstel river that starts and ends in the 1928 Olympic Stadium.
    624pts
  5. Honolulu Marathon — ranked #55
    Honolulu Marathon
    One of the largest US marathons, starting in the dark and passing Diamond Head, with no time limit.
    624pts
  6. Sydney Marathon — ranked #66
    Sydney Marathon
    The newest World Marathon Major, crossing the Harbour Bridge and finishing by the Opera House.
    485pts
  7. Rome Marathon — ranked #77
    Rome Marathon
    A route past the Colosseum, St. Peter's Square and the Trevi Fountain over ancient cobblestones.
    485pts
  8. Paris Marathon — ranked #88
    Paris Marathon
    A spring race along the Seine past the Champs-Élysées, Louvre and Eiffel Tower.
    485pts
  9. Barcelona Marathon — ranked #99
    Barcelona Marathon
    A fast, sunny spring course through Barcelona passing the Sagrada Família and Camp Nou.
    397pts
  10. London Marathon — ranked #1010
    London Marathon
    A World Marathon Major finishing on The Mall, famed for its costumed charity runners.
    397pts
  11. Chicago Marathon — ranked #1111
    Chicago Marathon
    A flat World Marathon Major looping through 29 Chicago neighborhoods, known for record-breaking times.
    397pts
  12. Athens Authentic Marathon — ranked #1212
    Athens Authentic Marathon
    A race over the original route from Marathon to Athens, finishing in the marble Panathenaic Stadium.
    397pts
  13. Tokyo Marathon — ranked #1313
    Tokyo Marathon
    Asia's first World Marathon Major, passing landmarks like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa.
    397pts
  14. Big Sur International Marathon — ranked #1414
    Big Sur International Marathon
    A hilly, spectacular run along California's Highway 1 cliffs, with a pianist at Bixby Bridge.
    397pts
  15. Great Wall Marathon — ranked #1515
    Great Wall Marathon
    A grueling race including thousands of steps along a restored stretch of China's Great Wall.
    291pts
  16. Rotterdam Marathon — ranked #1616
    Rotterdam Marathon
    A fast Dutch race famous for the thundering start across the Erasmus Bridge.
    291pts
  17. Marine Corps Marathon — ranked #1717
    Marine Corps Marathon
    The 'People's Marathon' through Washington, D.C., run past the national monuments with no prize money.
    0pts
  18. Valencia Marathon — ranked #1818
    Valencia Marathon
    A lightning-fast Spanish course that has become a favorite for elite record attempts.
    0pts
  19. Berlin Marathon — ranked #1919
    Berlin Marathon
    The flat, fast course where multiple men's world records have been set, finishing through the Brandenburg Gate.
    0pts
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