Looking to shave minutes off your marathon time? Whether you're chasing a personal best or just aiming for a smoother race, choosing the right course can make all the difference. Here are the fastest marathon courses in the UK – and the world.
Want something a bit trickier? Check out our list of the toughest running events in the world and find your next challenge!
- What’s a good marathon time? Here's what you should be aiming for at your next road or trail marathon
- The fastest Parkruns in the UK – and the world
How to work out which marathons are fastest
When you’re shopping around for a marathon to invest your time and training in, there are a few things you should look for.
Flat courses
Have a look at the elevation chart and make sure the elevation gain isn’t too high. Compare it with other marathons if you’re not sure. Some marathons are a lot hillier than others – and trail marathons are hillier still. If you want to get some short-distance practice in, check out our list of the fastest parkruns in the UK (and the world).
Well-maintained roads
This is likely to be fairly consistent among city marathons, but it’s worth checking for any cobbled streets or challenging terrain. Smooth tarmac will help you maintain a steady pace throughout.
Straight sections
Any hairpin turns or more meandering routes will slow you down, so if you can find courses with long, straight sections, that will help improve your chance of a PB. It’s also worth considering how wide the roads are, as many city marathons will have thousands of runners and you can be forced to slow down if the road narrows too much. That said, this is something marathon organisers usually think about before planning a route.
Think about the season
The heat of summer can make a marathon challenging, making runners lethargic and dehydrated. Shoulder seasons are the best time to approach a marathon, when it’s not too hot – but hopefully not windy or rainy either. Spring or autumn is best.
On the day – check the weather!
Unfortunately, you can have the fastest course in the world, but sometimes the weather will beat you anyway. Wind and sun are usually the greatest challenge facing runners, and while there’s not much you can do about either before the day, it’s worth considering that coastal marathons will often have greater headwinds. In city centres, you’ll be better protected from the wind, thanks to the high buildings, but on hot days it can be suffocating.
If you're hoping for a quick time, but aren't sure what to aim for, read our guide to how to work out what a good marathon time is and what you should be aiming for.
- Inspired by the London Marathon? You could take part next year – here's how to get a head start on training
- Here’s how many miles your running shoes should last. And how you can make them last longer
- Considering Couch to 5K? Here’s everything you ACTUALLY need to get started
Fastest marathon courses in the world
Berlin Marathon
With a total elevation gain of just 73m, the Berlin Marathon is one of the flattest in the world. It’s provided the backdrop for many world record marathon times over the decades, and for good reason. It also takes place in September, when Berlin is a little cooler – but the grim winter weather has not yet descended.
Valencia Marathon
This flat course is a popular one for marathon runners, and the Valencia Marathon takes place in December, when the weather is milder. Doing a marathon in Spain at the height of summer would be… a challenge.
Chicago Marathon
The iconic Chicago Marathon has hosted dozens of world records, and the current men’s marathon record time was set there in 2023 by the late Kelvin Kiptum, who completed it in 2:00:35. In 2024 Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepng’etich broke women’s world record time of 2:09:56.
Tokyo Marathon
This Japanese marathon has some gentle rolling hills, but nothing too substantial. The overall elevation gain is 60m and the elevation loss is 98m, so there is still a net downhill for runners. Plus, it starts with a gradual downhill to warm the runners’ legs up.
Seville Marathon
While a marathon in February might not seem hugely tempting, Seville Marathon is a great opportunity to get a PB earlier in the year. Average temperatures in Seville in winter are actually quite warm, so it’s not as painful as it sounds. This course is mostly flat and at sea level, so it’s a good one to start with.
Rotterdam Marathon
Three world records have been set at this Dutch marathon. It takes place in April, when the weather is still quite cool.
Frankfurt Marathon
The average finishing time of the Frankfurt Marathon is actually faster than the world record course in Berlin.
- 11 toughest long-distance walking trails in the UK: Challenge yourself with one of these bucket-list routes
- Inspired by The Salt Path and want to walk the South West Coast Path? Here’s everything you need to know
Fastest marathon courses in the UK
London Marathon
The London Marathon is not just the fastest marathon course in the UK – it’s also one of the fastest courses in the world. The current ‘women only’ marathon record was set at the London Marathon by Tigst Assefa in the elite women’s race. The ‘women only’ record is an additional record for women for races run on a course without any male athletes in the competition, i.e. not a mixed race.
Edinburgh Marathon
Taking place in May, the Edinburgh Marathon has a stunning backdrop as it is run all along the coast. As a result, you have to hope for light winds – or even a tailwind! – on this point-to-point race. The first few miles are gently downhill and there isn’t significant elevation to worry about.
Blackpool Marathon
Another marathon run along a promenade, there are plenty of sights to see at the Blackpool Marathon in April. It’s pretty flat, but, like the Edinburgh Marathon, is open to the elements.
Newport Marathon
Seventy per cent of finishers are reported to achieve PBs at this Welsh marathon, which takes in a mix of city streets and rural roads. With 250-odd metres of elevation, this is a fairly flat race.
Once you've got a marathon under your belt, why not try an Ironman or an ultramarathon?!
- Best GPS watches for tracking trails: tried and tested
- Britain's 6 steepest roads, including a contender for the world's steepest: Beautiful scenic routes that are definitely not for the faint-hearted
Top image: Runners compete in the 50th edition of the Berlin Marathon (credit: Getty Images)
