The World’s Most Important Marathons: The Ultimate Global Guide

Marathon running has become a truly global sport. Every year, millions of runners participate in races across continents, from historic European cities to modern Asian metropolises.

Among thousands of races worldwide, about 50 marathons stand out as globally representative events.

📊 World Top 50 Marathon Summary Table

Tier Marathon Country City Month Participants Competition S New York City Marathon USA New York Nov 50,000 Very High S Boston Marathon USA Boston Apr 30,000 Extreme S Chicago Marathon USA Chicago Oct 48,000 High S Berlin Marathon Germany Berlin Sep 47,000 High S London Marathon UK London Apr 50,000 Extreme S Tokyo Marathon Japan Tokyo Mar 38,000 Very High S Sydney Marathon Australia Sydney Aug 35,000 Medium A Valencia Marathon Spain Valencia Dec 33,000 Medium A Paris Marathon France Paris Apr 45,000 Medium A Seoul Marathon Korea Seoul Mar 20,000 Medium A Rotterdam Marathon Netherlands Rotterdam Apr 17,000 Medium A Amsterdam Marathon Netherlands Amsterdam Oct 20,000 Medium A Frankfurt Marathon Germany Frankfurt Oct 15,000 Medium A Barcelona Marathon Spain Barcelona Mar 20,000 Medium B Osaka Marathon Japan Osaka Feb 32,000 Medium B Shanghai Marathon China Shanghai Nov 38,000 Medium B Singapore Marathon Singapore Singapore Dec 15,000 Medium B Hong Kong Marathon Hong Kong Hong Kong Jan 25,000 Medium B Taipei Marathon Taiwan Taipei Dec 28,000 Medium B Gold Coast Marathon Australia Gold Coast Jul 27,000 Medium B Dubai Marathon UAE Dubai Jan 15,000 Medium B Cape Town Marathon South Africa Cape Town Oct 18,000 Medium B Istanbul Marathon Turkey Istanbul Nov 25,000 Medium C Los Angeles Marathon USA Los Angeles Mar 25,000 Low C Honolulu Marathon USA Honolulu Dec 30,000 Low C Rome Marathon Italy Rome Mar 15,000 Low C Vienna Marathon Austria Vienna Apr 12,000 Low C Athens Marathon Greece Athens Nov 15,000 Low C Prague Marathon Czech Prague May 10,000 Low C Copenhagen Marathon Denmark Copenhagen May 15,000 Low C Toronto Marathon Canada Toronto Oct 10,000 Low C Vancouver Marathon Canada Vancouver May 18,000 Low C Mexico City Marathon Mexico Mexico City Aug 30,000 Low C Buenos Aires Marathon Argentina Buenos Aires Sep 10,000 Low C Rio Marathon Brazil Rio Jun 12,000 Low C Auckland Marathon NZ Auckland Nov 15,000 Low C Melbourne Marathon Australia Melbourne Oct 15,000 Low C Queenstown Marathon NZ Queenstown Nov 8,000 Low C Mumbai Marathon India Mumbai Jan 40,000 Low C Bangkok Marathon Thailand Bangkok Nov 10,000 Low C Kuala Lumpur Marathon Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Oct 12,000 Low C Lisbon Marathon Portugal Lisbon Oct 10,000 Low C Stockholm Marathon Sweden Stockholm Jun 15,000 Low C Jerusalem Marathon Israel Jerusalem Mar 10,000 Low C Marrakech Marathon Morocco Marrakech Jan 8,000 Low

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The World Marathon Majors: The Ultimate Goal

The World Marathon Majors are the most prestigious marathons in the world.

These include:

• Boston

• London

• Berlin

• Chicago

• New York

• Tokyo

• Sydney

Completing all of them is considered one of the greatest achievements in marathon running.

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Europe: The Home of Marathon History

Europe hosts some of the fastest and oldest marathons.

Berlin is known as the fastest course, while Athens represents the original marathon route.

Valencia, Paris, and Amsterdam have also become global destinations for runners chasing personal best times.

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Asia: The Fastest Growing Region

Asian marathons like Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai have grown rapidly.

These races feature modern organization, large participation, and increasing global importance.

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Beyond Majors: The Global Marathon Experience

Other races such as Dubai, Cape Town, Gold Coast, and Los Angeles offer unique experiences and attract runners from around the world.

Each marathon reflects the culture and geography of its region.

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Conclusion

Today, marathon running is a global movement.

From the historic streets of Boston to the modern skyline of Tokyo, these 50 races represent the best of marathon running worldwide.

For many runners, completing even one of these races is a lifetime achievement.