How to run the world’s top marathons; Abbott World Marathon Majors and world’s biggest races
Running and marathon running is more popular than ever and as we sprint towards 2026, runners new and old are looking to take part in the world’s top marathons. Although it’s hard to define the world’s ‘top’ marathons, we can look at series such as the Abbott World Marathon Majors as a good way to rank some of the ‘top’ marathons in the world.
That doesn’t include every marathon though. Huge marathons, such as the Paris Marathon (Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris) have seen records broken with the number of participants taking part. That’s not to forget huge marathons relative to their continent as well, with the Rio de Janeiro Marathon growing in size year-on-year. With the 2026 TCS London Marathon now reaching record numbers of applicants – 1.1m runners applied for next year’s event – here is a guide on how to get in to some of the world’s top marathons and how we can help you here at Marathon Tours & Travel…
10 of the top marathons in the world
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Date: September each year. 2026: Sunday, September 27
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is one of the most popular marathons not only in Europe, but also the world. The 2025 edition saw nearly 50,000 participants take part, with 48,020 runners and 114 wheelchair athletes crossing the finish line. The course is arguably one of the most picturesque in the world, passing some of Berlin’s most significant landmarks and finishing through the city’s most iconic landmark – the Brandenburg Gate.
We offer packages for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON each and every year, putting runners in the centre of the German capital and at the heart of the race action. For 2026, our packages range from 3-5 nights and include an escorted shake-out run, guided trip to the marathon expo and pre- and post-race celebrations. The 2026 ballot has now taken place, meaning entries are sold out with the event organisers, so our packages are one of the only ways to take part in next year’s event.
View BMW BERLIN-MARATHON packages – click here.
Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) the Boston Marathon®
Date: April each year. 2026: Sunday, April 20
Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) the Boston Marathon® is the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious in the marathon racing calendar. This race takes place in the peak period of the marathon racing calendar, with Boston preceding London the weekend after. Generally considered to be one of the more difficult marathon courses owing to the Newton Hills, it is also one of the few courses to require a qualifying time, providing that extra motivation to runners taking part.
We started out in Boston in 1979 and have been helping runners perfect their Boston Marathon experience ever since. With our U.S. office still located within the heart of the city, we are here to help find travel solutions for you for this marathon each and every year. Although currently sold out for the 2026 event, we are still able to offer you accommodation solutions should you already have your entry.
View Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) the Boston Marathon® packages – click here.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Date: October each year. 2026: Sunday, October 11
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the biggest races in the marathon calendar and is approaching its 50th birthday in 2027. Taking in 50,000 runners each year, the course is fast and flat and has offered the opportunity to numerous elite runners to set world records, with the women’s and men’s marathon record being set seven times on this course. Not only is the course one of the best in the world, Chicago is one of the world’s most diverse, interesting and coolest cities, making this marathon a destination event as well.
We are proud to be the Official Travel Partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and have been providing travel packages for the race for a number of years. At the time of writing, our packages for the 2026 event are currently in development, but you can still pre-register your interest for your place with us, giving you first access to our packages and entries when they are ready. These packages traditionally sell out, so this is a great way to guarantee your place in an Abbott World Marathon Major…
View Bank of America Chicago Marathon packages – click here.
TCS London Marathon
Date: April each year. 2026: Sunday, April 26
We are biased about this one as our Head Office is UK-based, but there really is no marathon more iconic in the world than the TCS London Marathon. Consistently the largest fundraising event in the world year-on-year, the capital comes together on the last Sunday of April each year to celebrate and encourage runners from around the world. With a record 1.1 million applicants for the 2026 race, this is the most hotly-contested marathon in the calendar, with an incredible course to boot that travels past so many of London’s iconic landmarks.
We are proud to support the TCS London Marathon by being the Official Participant Hotel Provider for the 2026 TCS London Marathon. If you have already secured your entry and now need to sort your logistics and accommodation for the race, let us do the rest for you. This event regularly sells out for our U.S. and Australian customers, so be sure to join our waitlist for future editions of the race to guarantee your spot.
View TCS London Marathon packages – click here.
TCS New York City Marathon
Date: November each year. 2026: Sunday, November 1
When it comes to iconic cities, there are none more iconic than New York and when it comes to iconic marathons, there are few more iconic than the TCS New York City Marathon. Passing through all five boroughs of New York, this is another marathon that challenges for the largest in the world, with 50,000 runners taking part. Starting out on the stunning Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge and finishing in Central Park, so synonymous with everything famous about New York, this is a fantastic celebration of the city, running and community.
This marathon race is one that is particularly close to our heart. Having been the first marathon we ever sold packages for way back in 1979, we have been proud to take runners from all around the world on to this iconic course for 46 years. With packages starting from 4 nights and extensions available, this is the perfect opportunity to take part in one of the world’s top marathons and visit a truly memorable city at the same time.
View TCS New York City Marathon packages – click here.
TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS
Date: Late August/early September each year. 2026: Sunday, August 30
The relative new kid on the block, the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will celebrate its 25th year in 2026 and its second as an Abbott World Marathon Major. Oceania’s first and only World Marathon Major, there surely can’t be any greater feeling than crossing the finish line in front of the spectacular Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. As a new addition to the Marathon Major series, the race saw a record 35,000 runners in 2025 but is still a relatively easy marathon to enter, meaning you can take part in one of the top marathons in the world.
We are proud to be the Official Tour Operator of the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, having supported the race since its introduction to the Marathon Major series in late 2024. We looked after nearly 11,000 international athletes and supporters, providing over 25,000 room nights in hand-picked, centrally-located accommodation for the 2025 event and we are proud to provide an even larger offering in 2026. With packages starting from four nights in 5* accommodation, join this exciting marathon as it grows from strength-to-strength each year.
View TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS packages – click here.
Tokyo Marathon
Date: Late February/early March each year. 2026: Sunday, March 1
Tokyo Marathon is regarded as one of the top marathons in the world due to its exclusivity. The marathon lines the streets of one of the most iconic cities in the world and in 2025 celebrated its 18th birthday, but only 30,000 runners are permitted to take part each year – a relatively low number for marathon running. People flock to this marathon due to its fast, flat and simple course and for the opportunity to race in one of the most fascinating, culturally phenomenal cities in the world.
We are proud to be the Official Tour Operator for the Abbott World Marathon Majors for this race, allowing us to provide accommodation and travel solutions for elite amateur runners across this and every other Major race. Due to Tokyo Marathon’s exclusivity, entries for each race per year are very hard to come by – your best chance with us is by joining our Seven Continents Club. Trust us, it will be worth it.
View our Tokyo Marathon packages – click here.
Antarctica Marathon
Date: March every year. 2026: Monday, March 9
We’re obviously quite keen for this marathon; it’s one of our very own and there aren’t many other opportunities to race on the continent of Antarctica! Although the number of entrants is small, the opportunity to enter in to a unique club of people who have completed a marathon on the continent of Antarctica is a precious one. With an ever-changing course, this is a great opportunity to run on extremely rarefied ground and challenge yourself in the ultimate conditions.
Not only that, but you also get three weeks of experiences on top of that as well! Setting out aboard a luxury ship passing through some of the most exhilarating waters in the world, you will get to make connections for life with fellow runners, spot some of the most unique wildlife in the world and live in a life of luxury with a ship packed out with incredible facilities. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that few marathon runners can say they’ve experienced.
View Antarctica Marathon packages – click here.
Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
Date: Previously October each year, now May going forward. 2026: Sunday, May 24
The next cab off the rank for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, this is Africa’s largest marathon and takes place in a stunning mix of urban and rural settings. The host of the 2026 Abbott Age Group World Championships, running this marathon gives you an extraordinary opportunity to run in Africa’s largest marathon and soon-to-be first marathon to be a Major in Africa. Cape Town is a beautiful city, situated on the shores of the ocean and offering unique and varied levels of beauty both in the center of the city and out towards the coastline as well.
We are proud to be working with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in their bid to become the next Abbott World Marathon Major. As Official Tour Operator, we offer packages starting from four nights that allow you to run the perfect race and explore this exciting city. Whether you want to take part in this top marathon before the rush of the Majors, or you want to join us to get that star on your medal, we have a package perfect for you.
View Sanlam Cape Town Marathon packages – click here.
Rio de Janeiro Marathon
Date: June every year. 2026: Sunday, June 7
South America’s most beautiful city plays host to its biggest marathon, on the shores of Brazil’s most famous city, Rio de Janeiro. Run on the shoreline of the Copacabana in one of the southern hemisphere’s most visited cities under the shadow of the incredible Christ the Redeemer. Few places on earth can match the hospitality, natural charm, beauty and excitement of this city – now it’s your turn to discover it!
We are proud to offer packages for South America’s most popular marathon, allowing you to visit and race in this vastly underrated continent. Offering packages that start from five nights, as well as offering extensions to some of Brazil’s most beautiful locations, there are few better options to run in one of the world’s top marathons. The Rio de Janeiro Marathon is one of the most picturesque marathons in the world and could very well become even bigger soon…
View Rio de Janeiro Marathon packages – click here.
To view all our marathon packages – click here.