From Aruba to Vancouver, these picturesque races (and one vertical challenge) will inspire you to lace up and run 42.2 miles. Plus, a guide to luxury hotels in each destination to celebrate your completion.
Written by Forbes Travel Guide
The second Friday in January is known as “Quit Smoking Day” because it's the day many people give up on their New Year's resolutions and their willpower to eat better, be on time, and exercise more begins to wane. Masu.
But if 2025 is the year you decide to run a marathon, the editors of Forbes Travel Guide have put together an overview of exceptional races around the world that offer breathtaking views along challenging routes. Ta. And for extra motivation, there's also a list of luxury hotels near the 42.2-mile course. Because rest and recovery are essential to reaching the finish line.
Here are 12 marathons worth running the long distance this year.
malta marathon
malta marathon
Race date: February 23rd
This year marks the 40th edition of the Malta Marathon, with a record number of over 1,200 participants expected. This route takes runners through a scenic and demanding course that showcases Malta's diverse landscapes and historic sites. The Malta Marathon and Half Marathon are both primarily downhill, starting in the island nation's medieval capital Mdina at an altitude of 623 feet, passing through quaint towns, and finishing at sea level.
Check in here: Phoenicia Malta is a stunning Art Deco hotel that offers racers convenience and luxury. Located on the doorstep of the current capital, Valletta, the Forbes Travel Guide 4-star facility gives runners easy access to the course. With a modern spa and lush on-site garden, it's the perfect place to unwind after a race.
Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images
Run the Rome Marathon
Race date: March 16th
Is there a marathon that passes more iconic locations? The Rome Marathon has a unique course design, with approximately four miles of the route being run on cobblestones and passing by the Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Passing the Spanish Steps etc. Fast runners won't have much time to enjoy the sights of Rome, but runners who maintain a healthy walking pace will be able to take a few unforgettable mental snapshots, and perhaps some real ones. You can.
Check in here: The race may be punctuated by breathtaking landmarks, but just 10 minutes from the finish line, there are 4 The views from the star hotel St. Regis Rome are almost as amazing. .
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
boston marathon
Race date: April 21st
Started in 1897, Boston's legendary race is the world's oldest annual marathon, held on one of the world's most difficult courses. On Patriot's Day (a Massachusetts state holiday commemorating the first battle of the American Revolution), more than 30,000 runners set out from suburban Hopkinton, raced through the terrifying Heartbreak Hill (half way through mile 20), and ran through Boston. Finish near the public library.
Check in here: Just a 4-minute walk from the finish line, Raffles Boston is your post-race haven. Refresh yourself in the Guerlain Spa's treatment suites with hydrotherapy baths, or enjoy unforgettable modern Portuguese cuisine at Chef Jorges Mendes' Amar.
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vancouver marathon
Race date: May 4th
As temperatures begin to warm in southwestern British Columbia, race excitement builds for Canada's biggest marathon. In addition to ideal weather conditions, the more than 20,000 participants in the Vancouver Marathon each year can look forward to a beautiful course that traverses diverse areas of the city, including Wreck Beach, Yaletown, and the West End, ending in downtown. Masu.
Check in here: After a grueling 42.2 miles, rest at the luxurious 5-star Shangri-La Vancouver. The hotel's luxurious spa offers therapeutic massages in treatment suites with bathtubs, fireplaces, and steam showers.
alba marathon
Race date: June 8th
Heat is a marathon runner's biggest enemy. That's why many of the world's top marathons are held in the fall, or at least in cooler weather. But running 42.2 miles in a sunny paradise should make up for some of the trouble. Circling along Aruba's west coast, this 42.2-mile course winds through palm trees and native Dividibi trees, passes by the turquoise waters of Eagle Beach, and takes in some of the island's most popular landmarks. Pass the 98-foot California Lighthouse, one of the The event culminates in an awards ceremony and party on the beach.
Check in here: Get ready for race day at Aruba's Bucati & Tara Beach Resort, a relaxing, adults-only haven along the route. This boutique hotel is staffed by a team of certified wellness specialists to optimize your pre-race routine and support your post-race recovery.
Nicholas Tucat/AFP/Getty Images
Medoc Marathon
Race date: September 6th
If you're staying in Bordeaux, it's only natural that you'll want to have a glass of wine during your stay. That's exactly what you'd expect if you're running the Marathon du Medoc through these famous vineyards. Affectionately referred to as “The World's Drinkiest Marathon,” this unconventional marathon features wine and cheese stations throughout the race, colorful themes, and invites participants to participate in quirky (and often wine-themed) I am wearing a costume. It's a day full of smiles until the goal is in sight.
Check in here. Take off your bib and head to Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes. Subtly sophisticated rooms, chef Masaharu Morimoto's first European restaurant, and internationally influenced spa make this historic and charming hotel worth toasting to.
Attila Volgi/Xinhua/Newscom
budapest marathon
Race date: October 12th
The Budapest Marathon features a spectacular course overlooking the city's Andrássy Street, the Chain Bridge, the Danube River and Buda Castle. The race ends at Heroes Square. For those who can't complete the 40.2 miles, the race weekend features a variety of events for runners of all levels, including a 5k, 10k, and several long-distance relays.
Check in here: The 4-star Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest boasts an enviable location close to the start and finish of the race. As befits such an achievement, the property has a celebratory spirit throughout, from its impressive collection of Hungarian art to the contemporary Hungarian-Viennese cuisine of ÉS Bisztro.
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chicago marathon
Race date: October 12th
Due to its flat and fast course, the marathon has long been popular with runners, with 160,000 people signing up in 2025. It traverses 29 Chicago neighborhoods, including Pilsen (with a mariachi band near mile 19) and Chinatown (with a lion dancer near mile 21). . The marathon starts and finishes at Grant Park. Grant Park's more than 312 acres include Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain (one of the largest fountains in the world), an art museum, and more.
Check in here: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago caters to marathon runners. A concierge will share highlights of the route, and a complimentary shuttle bus will drop participants near the start. The hotel's Adorn restaurant also offers a special menu for runners from the night before, as well as a rejuvenating brunch after the event.
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lisbon marathon
Race date: October 25th
The Lisbon Marathon is one of the most breathtaking routes in Europe, as the entire course follows the sea and other waterways. It starts in Carcavelos, winds along the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, and ends at Plaza de Commerce, facing the port.
Check in here: Runners will receive a warm welcome at the Corpo Santo Hotel, an accommodation near the finish line. In addition to complimentary massages, the hotel offers marathon kits with a variety of amenities, including water and energy bars.
Craig T. Fruchman/Getty Images
new york city marathon
Race date: November 2nd
The New York City Marathon is the world's largest race, with more than 55,000 people completing it in 2024, and is an unofficial holiday for the thousands of spectators who enthusiastically cheer on the runners as they make their way through all five boroughs. . Starting in Staten Island, runners cross five bridges and wind their way through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before arriving at the iconic Central Park finish line, Tavern on the Green.
Check in here: The five-star Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park is a great spot to witness runners cross the finish line, especially from the comfort of a perch in a Premier Park View Suite. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art gym for those keen to train for the coming year.
Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images
singapore marathon
Race date: December
Packed with twists, turns, and fast straights, the Singapore Marathon feels like a car race. So it makes sense that the course would start at the F1 pit building. Details for the 2025 event have yet to be announced, but if conditions mirror last year's events, spectators can expect a memorable finish on the picturesque Anderson Bridge.
Check in here: In addition to its strategic location close to the F1 pit buildings, the 4-star Marina Bay Sands takes great care in pre-race preparation (full-body wellness program) and post-race preparation. This makes it an ideal location for marathon runners. Relax at the Races (in the iconic 57th floor infinity pool made famous by “Crazy Rich Asians'').
Kiawa Island Marathon (South Carolina)
Race date: December 13th
For the past 46 years, runners have navigated the scenic lowlands of Kiawah Island, a barrier island near Charleston that averages just 6 feet above sea level. The unique terrain has helped many runners achieve personal bests and qualify for the Boston Marathon. Seeing natural landmarks along the way (the gorgeous Ibis Pond lookout near the halfway point) is also a great motivator.
Check in here: Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is conveniently located near Mile 13. Additionally, this 5-star hotel offers shuttles to the start, race weekend festivals, and a luxurious 5-star post-race spa.
SIGNIEL SOUL
Bonus Race: Lotte World Tower Skyrun, Seoul
Race date: April
Not all marathons run 42.2 miles horizontally. This annual race, part of the World Series, requires stamina to run through Korea's biggest and highest vertical marathon. Participants will climb the 123-story Seoul Tower, the sixth tallest building in the world. Climb a total of 2,917 steps to the top, over 1,800 feet above sea level, for unparalleled views and prizes. The race, which has been held since 2017, had a record 2,200 participants last year from countries such as the United States, Japan, and Malaysia.
Check in here: There's no need to travel far on tired legs after your race. Take the elevator to the 4-star Signiel Seoul, which is located from the 76th to the 101st floor. Every room has stunning views, and many have bathtubs with panoramic city views.
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