Run the world’s most scenic marathons

As any runner will tell you, no two marathons are alike. While they might generally measure the same distance, just about everything else differs from race to race.

The top considerations for a destination marathon are, understandably, the climate and view. After all, if you’re going to bust a gut running 42.2km – the famous 26 miles – you might as well have something life-affirming to look at.  

We’ve chosen some bucket-list marathons that unfold next to and across some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Read on for your 2025 marathon calendar – and when you need to register to secure your starting spot in the race of a lifetime.

1. Hong Kong Marathon, 9 February 

Hong Kong’s cityscape is known the world over, but there’s no perspective quite like running through it. The Hong Kong Marathon route takes you up, down and around the city by road – and even under the harbour by tunnel – while the modern metropolis provides an unforgettable backdrop for one of the most oversubscribed runs on the calendar.  

When to enter: 2026 registration should begin in summer 2025.

2. Big Sur International Marathon, 27 April

California’s Pacific Coast Highway is rightly regarded as one of the world’s most stunning drives, but the slower pace of the Big Sur International Marathon allows you to truly soak up the stunning scenery. Breathe in the mountain air as you cruise for a PB on the PCH.

When to enter: packages can be booked until 1 February.

3. Great Wall Marathon, 17 May

Potentially the only marathon you can see from space, this marathon needs little explanation. This race along the Great Wall of China , on the outskirts of Beijing, is a rare chance to run atop one of the wonders of the world – though tackling 5,164 steps on your journey along and around the ancient structure makes for hard work.

When to enter: regular registration ends on 17 March.

4. Great Ocean Road Marathon, 18 May

Tracing an extra-long 44km coastal route along the bottom edge of southwestern Australia, the Great Ocean Road Marathon begins in Lorne, a two-hour drive outside of Melbourne. The race offers a traffic-free opportunity to soak up the stunning scenery and geological formations while listening to the waves lap at the shore below.

When to enter: any time before 17 May unless registration is full.

5. Everest Marathon, 29 May

Starting at Everest Base Camp, the dauntingly elevated Everest Marathon boasts unrivalled views from atop the Himalayas. The annual event marks the day Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit in 1953. The good news is that the race takes you down rather than uphill, but the terrain is as tricky as it is jaw-dropping.

When to enter: registration is open until 30 April. Runners must be in Nepal three weeks before the race to acclimatise to the altitude.

6. Big Five Marathon, 14 June

Lace up tight to cross South Africa’s Entabeni Safari Conservancy and speed through the habitat of the famous “big five” animals: elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. As if you needed any more motivation to go faster, the Big Five Marathon course doesn’t separate runners from wildlife – but, perhaps thankfully, it’s the docile, vegetarian antelope that you’re most likely to see up-close.

When to enter: registration typically closes a month before the race.

7. Angkor Empire Marathon, 3 August 

One of the few races to take place in a Unesco World Heritage site, Cambodia’s Angkor Empire Marathon celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025. Siem Reap’s Angkor Wat temple complex provides a uniquely atmospheric backdrop for your workout. As well as offering views of historic ruins, lush jungles and a river, the former capital of the Khmer Empire makes a remarkably flat marathon course. 

When to enter: registration runs until 25 June. 

8. Loch Ness Marathon, 28 September

The verdant Scottish Highlands are stunning enough, but on this storied run, you might even glimpse the mythical Loch Ness Monster – or believe you have amid your runner’s high. The Loch Ness Marathon ’s waterside route takes you past moorlands and an ancient castle before the finish line appears in Inverness.

When to enter: registration ends on 21 September.

9. Queenstown Marathon, 15 November

New Zealand’s most scenic race showcases an array of scenery including Millbrook, Arrowtown, Arrow River, Lake Hayes, Old Shotover Bridge, Twin Rivers trail, Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown Gardens. Meanwhile the Queenstown Marathon ’s largely flat course means it’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the knees.

When to enter: runners must register by 6 March.

10. Mount Fuji Marathon, 14 December

Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, the Mount Fuji marathon course takes runners on a loop of Lake Kawaguchi and Lake Saiko, offering stunning views of Mount Fuji throughout. The backdrop of the majestic mountain, combined with the picturesque lakes and surrounding landscapes, creates an unforgettable experience for participants.

When to enter: registration is scheduled to open in late April; the closing date is yet to be confirmed.