There's no denying that running the London Marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The memories of running through the streets of London to the rising cheers of thousands of spectators, while looping round the Cutty Sark and crossing the London Bridge, will stay with me forever. With the ballots odds as they are, I'm unlikely to stand on that start line again.
Luckily, there's a multitude of other big city races that can provide the same thrills as London, with much higher chances of getting a bib (in some cases). We've rounded up a list of 10 marathons in Europe and beyond that are known internationally for the big crowd feel, interesting race routes, and historic locations. Some of the options are the fastest marathon courses in the world, with many being flat and accessible for a wide range of runners.
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Top city marathons in Europe
1. Brighton Marathon
When: 4 April 2027
Start line: Preston Park, Brighton
Typically taking place in the same month as the London Marathon, Brighton Marathon is a popular city marathon alternative to London with the added benefit of coastal views. Organised by the same company as the TCS London Marathon, Brighton Marathon Weekend was first born in 2010 and has been going strong ever since. The race weekend is known for its vibrant atmosphere, which includes 10km events and more recently a trail marathon.
The event has been dominated over the past two years by Sam Cook (30) took the tape this year in a time of 2:25:05. If you're interested in training for your first marathon or want to beat your time, you can pick from the free Brighton Marathon training plans.
If you'd like to enter the 2027 edition, clear your schedule for 4 April 2027 and head over to letsdothis.com to join the expected 20,000 other runners over the weekend. General entry will set you back £79.99, or there's the option to enter the Brighton and Hove 10km instead for half the price.
2. Edinburgh Marathon
When: 30 May 2027
Start line: Potterrow, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Marathon takes you on a journey through the historic city's old town and past sights like Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument and across the Royal Mile. The point to point route then leaves the city on a journey to the coast, passing from Holyrood Palace to the Portobello promenade, all the way to Musselburgh.
Often quipped as the fastest marathon in the world, forget what you may have heard about undulating Scottish highlands and craigs because this marathon actually has an overall elevation profile of -90m.
Again part of a marathon festival weekend, bring the whole family to take part in the junior events, 5km, 10km, half-marathon, or full marathon. General entry for 2027 will set you back £47.75.
3. Paris Marathon
When: Mid-April 2027
Start line: Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris
If you fancy a jaunt along the cobbled streets of Paris, the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris will take you on a comprehensive tour of the city of love. Starting along the iconic Champs-Élysées, runners pass through the Place de la Concorde and past the Louvre. They will enter the Bois de Vincennes (designed by Napoleon Bonaparte), before following along the Seine and catching a first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. A bib to race in the French capital will set you back approximately 100 euros.
4. Berlin Marathon
When: 27 September 2026
Start line: The Tiergarten, Berlin
The BMW Berlin Marathon is the flattest course of all the Abbott World Major races and, like many in this list, is known for its fast racing (last year's men's winner is the current marathon world record holder, Sebastian Sawe, with a time of 2:02:16). It's a popular race, so you'll have to put your name in the hat to draw a bib number or run for a charity. Despite the lottery, you surely have more chance of drawing a spot than for London.
The course is a veritable criss-cross applesauce within the very centre of Berlin, with multiple bridges and a smorgasbord of historic sights to take in, like the Reichstag, the Siegessaule, and Potsdamer Platz.
5. Copenhagen Marathon
When: 9 May 2027
Start line: Faelledparken, Copenhagen
Another flat city marathon for the books, the Copenhagen Marathon involves lots of inner-city stretches in the heart of the Danish capital. The course takes runners past colorful Nyhavn, the lakes, The Little Mermaid waterfront area, Amalienborg palace, lively bridge districts, and packed cheering zones. Race entry is around 850DKK, or 114 euro.
The marathon distance didn't come to Europe until the 80s, which is when the first runners took to the streets of Copenhagen for the first 42.2km on open roads. That year that started it all saw a total of 995 participants – 47 of them were women.
6. Amsterdam Marathon
When: 18 October 2026
Start line: Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam
First held in 1975, the TCS Amsterdam Marathon has grown from a small local race into one of Europe’s fastest and most popular marathons, and now carries World Athletics Platinum Label status. It’s known for producing quick times thanks to an exceptionally flat course and the cool October weather.
The race starts and finishes inside the historic 1928 Olympic Stadium. The full marathon entry fee is currently about €145, and the race now attracts tens of thousands of runners across all events, with the marathon itself capped around 32,000 entrants. The course is the ultimate sightseeing lap of Amsterdam, runners pass through Rijksmuseum, alongside the Amstel River, through Vondelpark, and by countless traditional Dutch canals and windmills.
7. Valencia Marathon
When: 6 December 2026
Start line: Plaça de la Marató, Valencia
The Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Marathon has transformed over the last 15 years from a relatively regional race into one of the fastest marathons in Europe outside Berlin. Valencia became globally famous after elite runners started producing astonishing times on its pancake-flat course. These days, it's one of the most sought-after marathon tickets, often selling out far in advance. Entry prices generally rise in tiers, and recent late-stage entries for this year have approached €200.
The route for Valencia is designed almost entirely for speed, with wide roads and very few sharp turns, coupled with the December climate. A highlight on the run route is the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), where runners finish dramatically over a blue-water platform, which has become one of the most iconic finish lines in marathon running.
Best alternative city marathons worldwide
8. Boston Marathon
When: 19 April 2027
Start line: Main Street Hopkinton, Massachusetts
The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world, first taking place in 1897, and it carries an unmatched sense of tradition and prestige. Unlike most major marathons, entry usually requires a qualifying time, making simply getting into Boston an achievement in itself. The race takes place every Patriots’ Day (third Monday of April) and has become one of the defining races in American sports culture. Entry fees in recent years have typically been around $250–$300, depending on nationality and registration category.
The course runs point-to-point from Hopkinton into Boston, passing through eight towns and past legendary marathon landmarks. Runners experience the deafening Wellesley College “Scream Tunnel,” the brutal Newton Hills, and finally the famous right-on-Hereford, left-on-Boylston finish stretch. Spectator support is simply massive, hundreds of thousands line the roads, especially around Heartbreak Hill and into downtown Boston.
9. Tokyo Marathon
When: 7 March 2027
Start line: Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, Shinjuku, Tokyo
The Tokyo Marathon is the youngest of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, debuting in 2007 after combining earlier Japanese road races into one large international event. It quickly became famous for its smooth organisation, huge lottery demand, and uniquely polite yet enthusiastic crowd culture. Entry for overseas runners is currently about $230, and demand massively exceeds supply every year through the lottery system.
The course offers a whirlwind tour of Tokyo, starting near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and passing landmarks like Asakusa, Tokyo Station, and the areas around the Imperial Palace. Spectator support is enormous but feels different from American and European races – crowds are packed for much of the route, yet incredibly orderly and respectful. Runners often describe Tokyo as the smoothest and most efficiently-organised marathon experience anywhere in the world.
10. New York City Marathon
When: 1 November 2026
Start line: Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
The TCS New York City Marathon began modestly in 1970 with just 127 runners looping around Central Park and a $1 entry fee. Today it is officially the largest marathon in the world, drawing more than 200,000 lottery applicants and roughly 50,000+ runners annually. Standard entry fees are usually around $300, depending on membership and NYC residency status.
The course is effectively a tour of all five boroughs of New York City: runners start on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, then move through Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and into Manhattan before going on to finish in Central Park. The crowds are arguably the race’s defining feature as more than a million spectators line the streets, turning the marathon into an all-day citywide block party with live music, DJs, neighborhood cheering sections, and nonstop noise. Unlike other marathons on this list, the course itself is hilly and challenging, but the atmosphere is often described as unmatched anywhere in the world o running.
What are the 7 World Majors?
The Abbott World Marathon Majors are the seven most prestigious marathons in distance running, bringing together races that are as famous for their atmosphere and history as they are for their elite competition. Spread across Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia, the series includes the marathon giants of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Sydney. For many runners, completing all seven has become the ultimate bucket-list challenge.
What makes the Majors special is the scale. These races shut down entire cities, attract hundreds of thousands of spectators, and draw everyone from Olympic champions to first-time marathoners running for charity. Some of the majors are famous for speed, as you'll have noted for Berlin, which has seen multiple world records. Meanwhile others are loved for their atmosphere, scenery, and history.
Top image: Runners cross the Verrazano Bridge as they compete in the New York Marathon in New York on November 2, 2025. (Credit: ANGELA WEISS/Getty Images)
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