Pounding the streets for 26.2 miles: what better way to see the sights of a new city?
Whether you’re hoping to tick that ‘Run a Marathon’ box on your life’s to do list, or you’re a seasoned runner looking for a new challenge, here are our top twelve around the world.
Rome: 18 March 2012
There are sights you should take in on any trip to the Italian capital – St Peter's Square, the Trevi Fountain, the Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps – and you can see them all on the marathon route, which starts in the shadow of the 2,000-year-old Colosseum. Despite it being quite a hilly city, the route is fairly flat – the only drawback is that many of the streets are cobbled, which might slow you down.
There are sights you should take in on any trip to the Italian capital – St Peter's Square, the Trevi Fountain, the Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps – and you can see them all on the marathon route, which starts in the shadow of the 2,000-year-old Colosseum. Despite it being quite a hilly city, the route is fairly flat – the only drawback is that many of the streets are cobbled, which might slow you down.
Boston: 15 April 2012
This is one of the best organised marathons, with great atmosphere and a great route. However, amateur runners need not apply as there are strict qualifying standards, making it something of an elite race. Participants start in Hopkinton (west of the city) and run through seven small towns to reach the finish line in central Boston.
This is one of the best organised marathons, with great atmosphere and a great route. However, amateur runners need not apply as there are strict qualifying standards, making it something of an elite race. Participants start in Hopkinton (west of the city) and run through seven small towns to reach the finish line in central Boston.
Rotterdam: 15 April 2012
While the experienced runners are pounding the pavements of Boston, new runners and those trying to beat their personal best are better flocking to the ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam, which takes place on the same day. Its super-flat course makes it easier than most and the city pretty much closes down for the day in order to support the runners.
While the experienced runners are pounding the pavements of Boston, new runners and those trying to beat their personal best are better flocking to the ABN AMRO Marathon Rotterdam, which takes place on the same day. Its super-flat course makes it easier than most and the city pretty much closes down for the day in order to support the runners.
Paris: 15 April 2012
The third race on this very popular date (spring provides the best conditions for long runs) is in the city of love, and this one’s best for people more interested in a sightseeing tour than a serious competition, as it’s not exactly the fastest race on the list. The downhill start over worn cobblestones isn’t the ideal way to kick off, but this loop of the French capital really is a lovely way to see the city.
London: 22 April 2012
The Virgin London Marathon is undoubtedly one of the best. An enthusiastic crowd keeps runners motivated every step of the way and it’s a fast, thoroughly organised race, which is good news for regular runners. The route, which starts in picturesque Greenwich Park and ends running past with the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace along Embankment, is pretty spot on too, with the
The Virgin London Marathon is undoubtedly one of the best. An enthusiastic crowd keeps runners motivated every step of the way and it’s a fast, thoroughly organised race, which is good news for regular runners. The route, which starts in picturesque Greenwich Park and ends running past with the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace along Embankment, is pretty spot on too, with the
Edinburgh: 27 May 2012
London isn’t the only option on home turf. The Scottish capital’s event not only has impeccable scenery, with a route that takes in Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle, Leith Links, Portobello Promenade and Musselburgh Racecourse, but it’s also the fastest in the UK so great for those look to knock a few seconds off their personal best.
London isn’t the only option on home turf. The Scottish capital’s event not only has impeccable scenery, with a route that takes in Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle, Leith Links, Portobello Promenade and Musselburgh Racecourse, but it’s also the fastest in the UK so great for those look to knock a few seconds off their personal best.
Stockholm: 2 June 2012
Big crowds cheer on runners in the Swedish capital’s race, which takes place during Stockholm’s most appealing time of year, with its long days and bright weather. Two near-identical loops make up the milage, starting outside the 1912 Olympic Stadium and finishing on the track inside it. There are large, flat sections of the course but enough undulations, particularly on the loop around Djurgarden and the various bridges, to break your rhythm.
Big crowds cheer on runners in the Swedish capital’s race, which takes place during Stockholm’s most appealing time of year, with its long days and bright weather. Two near-identical loops make up the milage, starting outside the 1912 Olympic Stadium and finishing on the track inside it. There are large, flat sections of the course but enough undulations, particularly on the loop around Djurgarden and the various bridges, to break your rhythm.
Berlin: 30 September 2012
Organised with the kind of efficiency you expect in the German capital, and with a wide, straight and mostly flat course, this is one of the most comfortable marathons to compete in. It’s also one of the most interesting in terms of scenery, with both the formerly Socialist East (all grand historical architecture and sombre buildings) and the West (with its modern, hi-tech shops and buildings), and the iconic Brandenburg Gate that separates them.
Organised with the kind of efficiency you expect in the German capital, and with a wide, straight and mostly flat course, this is one of the most comfortable marathons to compete in. It’s also one of the most interesting in terms of scenery, with both the formerly Socialist East (all grand historical architecture and sombre buildings) and the West (with its modern, hi-tech shops and buildings), and the iconic Brandenburg Gate that separates them.
Chicago: 7 October 2012
Another great choice for first-timers and regular runners alike: with its impeccable organisation and super-fast and flat course, the Bank of America Chicago marathon is smooth running in every sense of the term. It starts and finishes in the charming Grant Park and incorporates many of Chicago’s most famous landmarks, districts and neighbourhoods, including the historic Old Town, Little Italy and the University Village. And there’s a free party after the finish line to boot.
Another great choice for first-timers and regular runners alike: with its impeccable organisation and super-fast and flat course, the Bank of America Chicago marathon is smooth running in every sense of the term. It starts and finishes in the charming Grant Park and incorporates many of Chicago’s most famous landmarks, districts and neighbourhoods, including the historic Old Town, Little Italy and the University Village. And there’s a free party after the finish line to boot.
Amsterdam: 21 October 2012
Comparatively small, with approximately 2,000 runners (London has around 36,500 and Chicago attracts some 45,000), it’s flat and fast, and like Stockholm consists of two loops of the city and starts and ends in the Olympic Stadium. The route encompasses the old city-centre and the famous Vondelpark, as well as large sections of residential suburbs.
Comparatively small, with approximately 2,000 runners (London has around 36,500 and Chicago attracts some 45,000), it’s flat and fast, and like Stockholm consists of two loops of the city and starts and ends in the Olympic Stadium. The route encompasses the old city-centre and the famous Vondelpark, as well as large sections of residential suburbs.
New York: 4 November 2012
A close contender with London as the best all-rounder, it incorporates all five New York boroughs, starting on Staten Island in Fort Wadsworth and finishing in Central Park. Atmosphere is brought to you by over a hundred 100 live bands stationed along the course, with a special stage at Columbus, and floods of bystanders cheering on the runners.
A close contender with London as the best all-rounder, it incorporates all five New York boroughs, starting on Staten Island in Fort Wadsworth and finishing in Central Park. Atmosphere is brought to you by over a hundred 100 live bands stationed along the course, with a special stage at Columbus, and floods of bystanders cheering on the runners.
Honolulu: 9 December 2012
If you’ve ever pictured yourself in Hawaii, you’re probably lying in a hammock with a cocktail rather than in a sweat band running over 26 miles. However, the Honolulu race, starting in Ala Moana Beach Park and finishing at Kapiolani Park, with the pretty Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and Koko Head Crater along the way, is a pretty good way to see the sights. Plus, because of the heat the race starts at 5am so you could be in that hammock by lunchtime
If you’ve ever pictured yourself in Hawaii, you’re probably lying in a hammock with a cocktail rather than in a sweat band running over 26 miles. However, the Honolulu race, starting in Ala Moana Beach Park and finishing at Kapiolani Park, with the pretty Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and Koko Head Crater along the way, is a pretty good way to see the sights. Plus, because of the heat the race starts at 5am so you could be in that hammock by lunchtime
FROM YAHOO! UK&IRELAND-TRAVEL
*back into the abyss of death*
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