A big-city marathon is one of the best ways to see a new place. These are the major marathons on each continent in our race list, with dates, typical race-day weather and how to get a place.
Seven races are currently World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Sydney. Cape Town becomes the eighth in 2027, the first in Africa.
Before you pick: many of these use a ballot that opens 6 to 12 months before race day. See how race ballots work for the dates.
Europe
Spring and autumn are race season. Most of the big ones now use a ballot.
London MarathonOne of the world's biggest marathons. In 2027 it runs over two days, with 100,000 places.
Sat 24 and Sun 25 Apr 2027 (one-off two-day race)Race day 8–14°CLondon, UKFly into London (LHR/LGW/STN/LTN/LCY)Ballot closed
How to get in: Ballot closed 1 May 2026 (1,338,544 applied). Charity place onlyBerlin MarathonFlat and famously fast. Many marathon world records have been set here.
Sun 26 Sep 2027Race day 12–18°CBerlin, GermanyFly into Berlin (BER)Ballot open
How to get in: Yes, ballot open until 12 Nov 2026. Results 3 Dec 2026Paris MarathonThe 50th edition in 2027, on a new course. Entry is by ballot from 2027.
Sun 4 Apr 2027Race day 7–13°CParis, FranceFly into Paris (CDG/ORY), or EurostarBallot closed
How to get in: Ballot closed 30 Sep 2026 (166,000 applied). Tour operator or charity place onlyAmsterdam MarathonStarts and finishes in the 1928 Olympic Stadium. First come, first served.
Sun 18 Oct 2026 (2027: usually 3rd Sun of Oct)Race day 9–13°CAmsterdam, NetherlandsFly into Amsterdam (AMS), or EurostarSold out
How to get in: 2026: sold out. 2027 registration likely opens around DecemberValencia MarathonVery flat, very fast, in early December. Moved to a ballot in 2026.
Sun 6 Dec 2026 (2027: usually first Sun of Dec)Race day 8–14°CValencia, SpainFly into Valencia (VLC)Ballot closed
How to get in: 2026 full (waiting list). 2027: watch for the ballot in mid-DecemberNorth America
Three of the world majors, plus two races you can still simply sign up for.
New York City MarathonAll five boroughs and about 55,000 runners. Entry is mostly by drawing.
Sun 7 Nov 2027 (expected, first Sunday of November)Race day 7–13°CNew York, USAFly into New York (JFK/EWR/LGA)Entry: check
How to get in: Not yet. The drawing usually opens in early Feb (2026's ran 4–25 Feb 2026)Chicago MarathonFlat and fast, through 29 neighbourhoods. The 2027 drawing closes 29 Oct 2026.
Sun 10 Oct 2027Race day 10–18°CChicago, USAFly into Chicago (ORD/MDW)Ballot open
How to get in: Yes, applications open until 29 Oct 2026. Draw results 8 Dec 2026Boston MarathonThe oldest annual marathon. Most places need a qualifying time.
Mon 19 Apr 2027 (Patriots' Day)Race day 7–15°CBoston, USAFly into Boston (BOS)Sold out
How to get in: Registration closed 18 Sep 2026. Charity or tour operator place onlyLos Angeles MarathonFrom Dodger Stadium past Hollywood to Century City.
Sun 7 Mar 2027Race day 12–20°CLos Angeles, USAFly into Los Angeles (LAX)Entry: check
How to get in: Check the official site for general entry. Charity places availableHonolulu MarathonWarm, with no cut-off time and no ballot. A popular first marathon.
Sun 13 Dec 2026Race day 21–27°CHonolulu, USAFly into Honolulu (HNL)Open
How to get in: Yes, open until 3 Dec 2026Asia
Tokyo is the big one, and one of the hardest places to get in anywhere.
Tokyo MarathonA world major through central Tokyo. Roughly 1 in 10 ballot applicants get a place.
Sun 7 Mar 2027Race day 6–12°CTokyo, JapanFly into Tokyo (HND/NRT)Ballot closed
How to get in: Ballot closed 28 Aug 2026. Charity or official tour package onlyOceania
Southern hemisphere winter means cool race days in July and August.
Sydney MarathonThe newest world major, over the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House.
Sun 29 Aug 2027Race day 10–19°CSydney, AustraliaFly into Sydney (SYD)Ballot open
How to get in: Yes, ballot open until 19 Oct 2026 (10am Sydney time). Draw 3 Nov 2026Gold Coast MarathonFlat beachfront course in July. Entries open in early December and sell out.
Sun 4 Jul 2027Race day 12–20°CGold Coast, AustraliaFly into Gold Coast (OOL) or Brisbane (BNE)Entry: check
How to get in: Not yet. 2026 entries opened 2 Dec 2025 and sold outAfrica
Africa gets its first world major in 2027.
Cape Town MarathonJoins the World Marathon Majors in 2027, with Table Mountain views on a fast loop.
Sun 23 May 2027Race day 12–20°CCape Town, South AfricaFly into Cape Town (CPT)Ballot closed
How to get in: Ballot closed 24 Jun 2026. Charity or tour package onlyMiddle East
Winter racing in warm sun. Most are first come, first served.
Dubai MarathonOne of the fastest courses in the world, in January.
Sun 17 Jan 2027Race day 16–24°CDubai, United Arab EmiratesFly into Dubai (DXB)Open
How to get in: Yes, registration open on the official siteADNOC Abu Dhabi MarathonFlat, along the Corniche, in December.
Sat 12 Dec 2026Race day 20–26°CAbu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesFly into Abu Dhabi (AUH)Open
How to get in: Yes, registration opened end of July 2026Tel Aviv MarathonFlat, along the seafront, on a Friday in late February.
Late Feb 2027 (26 Feb expected)Race day 12–19°CTel Aviv, IsraelFly into Tel Aviv (TLV)Open
How to get in: Yes, registration open. Early price 240 NIS until 30 Nov 2026Muscat MarathonOman's big race weekend in late January, with some rolling sections.
Fri 29 or Sat 30 Jan 2027 (day not yet published)Race day 18–25°CMuscat, OmanFly into Muscat (MCT)Open
How to get in: Yes, registration open (early-entry discount)Find the race that suits you
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Race details come from our race database, checked against organisers' sites in October 2026, including London Marathon Events, Chicago Marathon and Cape Town Marathon. Temperatures are typical averages, not forecasts. Always confirm dates on the official race site before you book.