P84 50 Greatest Races On Earth
Our annual roundup of the most fun, challenging, imaginative, breathtaking and downright awesome races outside the UK
Get out your bucket list and start writing. These races will take your breath away
Welcome. Are you sitting comfortably and is your credit card within reach? Then we’ll begin. Over the next eight pages you’ll find our rundown of races around the world that will leave you breathless, take you to the limits of your abilities or just leave you thinking, ‘This is the best thing I’ve ever done.’ But what you won’t find are the Marathon Majors: their attractions are well known and our aim here is to surprise and delight. From short to very long, mountain to desert and jungle to icy wasteland, here is a list that we believe offers an event for every RW reader itching to try something new, something glorious, something you’ll never forget. Ready, set, it’s time to go.
The Lavaredo Ultra Trail
Seven summits, temperatures ranging from - 5C to 30C and 120km of trail across the mighty Italian Dolomites: if you’re determined to complete this monumental race within the 30-hour cut- off you may need to quit your job and dedicate yourself to ultrarunning.
Next race: June 2019 (date TBC), ultratrail.it
GREAT ETHIOPIAN RUN
A co-production between Ethiopian national running hero Haile Gebrselassie and our very own Great Run series, Africa’s largest 10K is a wild ride through the busy streets of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. Don’t expect a bag drop, a chip time or kilometre markers. Do expect potholes, breakdancers, impromptu on-course dance-offs, water fights and truly deafening crowd support.
Next race: November 18, ethiopianrun.org
CARRERA DIA DEL PADRE
Known as Mexico City’s ‘green lung’, Tlalpan Forest is an urban woodland created to reduce carbon emissions, protect endangered species and provide valuable flora and fauna in an otherwise arid landscape. It’s also the perfect spot for a run, with 16,000 eager competitors taking on the 21km Father’s Day Race here every year.
Next race: June 2019 (date TBC), carreradiadelpadre.com
CITY 2 SURF
Starting in Sydney city centre and finishing at Bondi, Australia’s biggest road race has been going strong for 47 years, attracting more than 80,000 runners each year to the 14km event. With everyone from elites to fancydress fun runners sharing the field, prepare to run, dance, sing and laugh all the way to the beach.
Next race: August 12, city2surf.com.au
NEPAL IMPACT MARATHON
A six-day odyssey in the foot of the Himalayas, with a marathon at the end of it. Race organisers link with local charities and employ the awesome power of running to help build sustainable communities, bring people together and leave a lasting impact on the world in a humanitarian marathon mission.
Next race: November 12-18, impactmarathon.com/nepal
HELSINKI HALF MARATHON
Finland’s capital is a cosmopolitan, vibrant and strikingly handsome coastal city, with restaurants, bars and nightclubs aplenty. But Helsinki, ranged across a series of islands, is also a place of great natural beauty. Fortunately, you’ll see both sides on this half marathon, exploring secret bays and inlets along the harbour before returning to the bustling city centre.
Next race: May 2019 (date TBC), helsinkicitymarathon.fi
UBAYE SNOW TRAIL SALOMON
The route is a single-track snow trail in a secluded valley of the Southern Alps, so expect serious amounts of the white stuff (and by serious amounts, we mean every step of the way). Choose the 22km or 9km route, but either way, prepare yourself for hard-packed trails, energy-sapping ascents, technical descents, sharp turns and some of the most sumptuous, snow-covered mountain peaks the region has to offer. Oh, and bring your sunnies to limit the glare from the endless white.
Next race: February 17, 2019, ubaye-trail.fr/uk
TOR DES GÉANTS
Not for the faint-hearted, this 205-mile footrace across the Italian Alps comes with 24,000 metres of ascent – only 60 per cent of starters make the 150-hour cut-off. Inclement weather is often the biggest obstacle, but you’ll be rewarded with the kind of scenery that makes you think Mother Nature is a big showoff.
Next race: September 9-16, tordesgeants.it
INTERNATIONAL MO’OREA MARATHON
A mere stone’s throw from Tahiti, in the South Pacific (about 5,000 miles east of Australia), and blessed with impossibly blue waters, Mo’orea Island in French Polynesia is so perfect it looks like a Photoshop job. You’ll run along the coast and past lush rainforests, but come prepared for the tropical heat.
Next event: March 2019 (date TBC), mooreamarathon.com
ANDAMAN MARATHON
Oddly, this is a half marathon, but the location is spectacular, whatever the distance. The Andamans are an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, southeast of the Indian mainland, with turquoise seas and tropical rainforests. You may not want to leave.
Next race: February 2019 (date TBC), andamanmarathon.com
YOSEMITE HALF MARATHON
With its waterfalls, mountains, granite cliffs and ancient redwoods, Yosemite National Park is a wonderful spot to stage a race. This is a largely downhill trek to Bass Lake, where you’ll soak up the majesty of your surroundings.
Next race: May 2019 (date TBC), yosemitehalfmarathon.com
BHUTAN THE LAST SECRET
This is the only country that measures ‘Gross National Happiness’, so expect to finish Bhutan’s 200km six-stage race with a smile on your face. Landlocked high in the Himalayas, the kingdom has a strict foreign-visitor quota, so it’s tricky to get into, but with a finish at a monastery perched 3,000m up a cliff, it’s worth the effort.
Next race: May 2019 (date TBC), global-limits.com/the-last-secret
THE WAY OF THE LEGENDS: BURGOS ULTRA STAGE RACE
This six-day, 254km stage race between two of Spain’s great rivers (the Ebro and the Duero) is a pilgrimage through the Burgos province, taking in medieval towns, mountain villages and World Heritage sites. It’s also fully supported, leaving you free to enjoy the region’s rich culture and history. And the food.
Next race: September 21-29, burgosultrastagerace.com
BILBAO NIGHT MARATHON
Bilbao, like all good European cities, really comes alive at night and this is a unique way to experience it. Starting at the San Mamés stadium (home of Athletic Bilbao) and finishing at the Guggenheim Bilbao Museoa, this is a race that pulls out all the stops, with first-rate crowd support, fireworks, DJS, live bands and a red-carpet finish. There is also a half-marathon option.
Next event: October 20, edpbilbaomarathon.com
NIAGARA FALLS HALF MARATHON
Starting and finishing at the Canada end of the world-famous falls, this out-andback race follows Niagara Parkway towards Fort Erie before returning to the Horseshoe Falls. With high winds, thundering noise and views to make your eyes water, the sheer magnitude of the falls should give you enough motivation to keep on running.
Next event: October 14, niagarafallsmarathon.com
CAYMAN ISLANDS MARATHON
Part tropical paradise, part perfect race destination, the Cayman Islands are warm all year round, but race organisers kindly selected the slightly cooler month of December (and a 6am start) to stage this flat, fast marathon. Ringed by sandy white beaches, this tiny Caribbean island is a stunning place to claim your PB.
Next event: December 2, caymanislandsmarathon.com
VOLCANIC 50 MT ST HELEN’S
Ever wanted to run around an active volcano? This is a rugged, remote and challenging 50km route around Mt St Helen’s in the Pacific Northwest of the US. Get ready for dense forest, lava fields, rivers and even a blast zone. The volcano hasn’t erupted since 1980, so you’re safe. Probably.
Next race: August 4, gobeyondracing.com
KAUAI MARATHON
The island of Kauai is known as Hawaii’s Garden Isle and the Island of Discovery: in other words, it’s a tropical paradise. The marathon course hugs the scenic coastline, offering outstanding views of the ocean, picturesque beaches and lush rainforest. These visual distractions will be important, as the first seven miles are uphill and there are a couple of testing ascents later on, too, before a long downhill to the beach finish.
Next race: September 2, thekauaimarathon.com
BERMUDA MARATHON
With crystal-clear waters, pastelcoloured houses and pink-sand beaches, this island territory is one of the most divine places on earth. As well as the marathon, there is a half and a 10K on the rolling course. Or try the Bermuda Triangle Challenge: run all three.
Next event: January 18-20, 2019, bermudaraceweekend.com
LA CHAMPENOISE
Taking the booze-cruise concept up a rather elegant notch, this 18km tasting race through the vineyards of France’s Champagne region features a chilled flute of bubbly at the drinks stations. But bear in mind that negotiating the undulating French countryside in fancy dress may be quite challenging.
Next race: May 25, 2019, la-champenoise.com
ATACAMA CROSSING
A seven-day, self-supported, 250km race across the driest desert in the world around San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, taking in relics of ancient Inca civilisations, snow-capped volcanoes, waist-high grass and otherworldly salt flats (sometimes referred to as ‘ frozen broccoli’, if you can imagine running on such a surface). There are 1,683 metres of elevation gain over the seven days and while the temperature in September regularly hits 25C during the day, it tumbles to 0C at night. Complete this one and you have bragging rights for life.
Next race: September 30, 4deserts.com/atacamacrossing
CANYONLANDS HALF MARATHON
This point-to-point race at the southern tip of Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, US, takes in dramatic red rock landscapes as you follow the winding course of the Colorado River. The race has become so popular that a second event has been set up.
Next race: October 14, 2018, or March 16, 2019, madmooseevents.com
CONNEMARATHON
Missed out on the London Marathon ballot? Try this: it takes place on the same weekend but in a considerably more rural setting. Glacier lakes and rugged mountains replace London’s screaming crowds as you wind your way through the gorgeous wilderness of Galway in the west of Ireland.
Next race: April 14, 2019, connemarathon.com
HAWKE’S BAY INTERNATIONAL MARATHON
This is staged in New Zealand’s oldest wine region. Enjoy flat, easy trails and quiet country roads through ochrecoloured vineyards and olive groves, before toasting your efforts with an award-wining tipple or two at the Sileni Estates Winery. Next race: May 18, 2019, hawkesbaymarathon.co.nz
TWO OCEANS MARATHON
Billed as ‘ the world’s most beautiful marathon,’ with cracking views of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, this 35-mile race around the Cape Peninsula in South Africa is up there with the best. It’s also a tough race, with increasing climbs in the second half, but outstanding crowd support will help get you round.
Next race: April 2019 (date TBC), twooceansmarathon.org.za
THE USMX INTERNATIONAL 10K
Never has a race celebrating the link between the US and Mexico been
more appropriate. This 10K starts in El Paso, Texas, and heads into CiudadJuarez, Mexico, with the route passing the spot where the first Us-mexico presidential meeting took place in 1909. This is a run that brings people on both sides of the border out into the streets in solidarity and a mutual love of running. Next race: November 3, international10k.com
VICTORIA FALLS MARATHON
This is bucket-list race for sure. Not only do you cross from Zimbabwe into Zambia (via the Vic Falls bridge), but the sights are unmatchable: the mighty Zambezi river, Victoria Falls and, if you keep your eyes peeled, big game such as elephants and lions, as well as other wild animals. Pack a camera.
Next race: July 2019 (date TBC), vicfallsmarathon.com
VANCOUVER SUN RUN
Canada’s largest 10K, with over 40,000 runners toeing the start line every year. This is technically a city race, but the route crams in views of the Pacific Ocean and snow-capped peaks. World-class athletes share the field with everyone from run-walkers to wheelchairusers at this festival of running.
Next race: April 2019 (date TBC), vancouversunrun.com
THE SPARKASSE 3- LAENDER MARATHON
Almost two thirds of this race is run beside the 63km-long Lake Constance, so you take in three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It really is an astonishingly beautiful backdrop and the race route is blissfully flat.
Next race: October 7, 2018, sparkasse-3-laender-marathon.at
ZAGORI MOUNTAIN RUNNING
This 80km ultra is a journey back in time through ancient forests, mountains and craggy peaks across northwest Greece. The villages along the way were once staging posts for Ottoman traders and snatches of a bygone era can still be found in the striking landscape.
Next race: July 2019 (date TBC), zagorirace.gr
ITALY COAST TO COAST
Enlist your fittest mates and prepare to get gloriously immersed in Italian culture on this 220-mile relay. Teams of four run daily legs from 12-15 miles per runner through the heart of central Italy, soaking up medieval castles, abbeys, olive groves and mountain ridges in this tough race where team spirit is vital.
Next race: June 2019 (date TBC), marathontours.com
THE CHAPMAN’S CHALLENGE
Second World War hero Freddy Chapman evaded capture by the Japanese for three years in Malaya (now Malaysia) before making a daring escape to Pangkor Laut island, off the country’s west coast. This duathlon, created in his honour, consists of a 3.8km run around the island – 2.4km of it through untouched rainforest – and a 1km swim along Emerald Bay. You finish at Chapman’s Bar, which is fitting.
Next race: May 2019 (date TBC), pangkorlautresort.com
MUSCAT MARATHON
The capital of Oman, this busy port in the lap of the rocky Hajar Mountains is known for its dazzling souks, palatial architecture and superb seafood, but thanks to slick race organisation and the arresting skyline, it’s also fast becoming a go-to destination for marathoners.
Next race: January 18-19, 2019, muscatmarathon.om
DINGLE MARATHON
Undulating roads and a beast of a hill at mile 22 mean the Dingle Marathon is probably not the event at which to try for that PB. However, spectacular views of the Blasket Islands, with the Wild Atlantic Way on the horizon, will keep you cruising happily along Dingle Peninsula to the finish line. Dubious fact: Guinness helps you to recover. Next race: September 1, dinglemarathon.ie
LAGUNA PHUKET MARATHON
On Thailand’s largest island, almost 8,000 runners from over 50 countries are treated to nodding palm trees, crystal-clear seas, gorgeous coastline, pineapple plantations and unsurpassed Thai hospitality at this increasingly
popular race. With a 4:30am start, this is one for the early risers among you.
Next race: June 2019 (date TBC), phuketmarathon.com
TENERIFE BLUE TRAIL
Peaking at 3,500m above sea level, it’s worth acclimatising before tackling Spain’s highest race, but you’ll be rewarded with belting views of Tenerife. There are several events, ranging from a 102-mile ultra to races for runners with disabilities, in line with the organisers’ mission statement: trail running for all.
Next race: June 2019 (date TBC), tenerifebluetrail.com
WAIHEKE HALF MARATHON
Waiheke Island is located in Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand’s north island, a short ferry ride from Auckland. This half marathon takes in the best of the island, including verdant vineyards, cool enclaves, lush native forest and stunning beaches.
Next race: May 2019 (date TBC), waihekehalfmarathon.co.nz
COLOMBO MARATHON
Hot, chaotic and challenging – you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for wayward mopeds on the course – but rolling hills, tropical terrain and the vibrant capital city of Sri Lanka will more than make up for it.
Next race: October 7, srilankamarathon.org
MOUNT FUJI MARATHON
The spectacular views will take your breath away at this multi-terrain race set in the foothills of Japan’s highest mountain. You’ll need to work hard to avoid the six cut-off points along the route, but with magnificent Mount Fuji sitting above you in quiet judgment, you’ll want to keep moving.
Next race: November 25, fujisan-marathon.jp
DISNEY WINE AND DINE HALF MARATHON WEEKEND
Fans of running, fine food and cartoon characters will love this unusual event. Run the 10K or half marathon through the magic kingdom (or try the Two Course Challenge) and spend your evenings refueling at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
Next race: November 4, rundisney.com
BALATON SUPERMARATON
A four-day multistage event around Hungary’s Lake Balaton, Europe’s largest freshwater lake. You’ll need to run 48km a day to complete the 195.4km goal, but the vineyards and lakeside views should ease the pain.
Next race: March 2019 (date TBC), balatonsupermarathon.runinbudapest.com
DIPSEA RACE
Dipsea has been going since 1905, making it the oldest race in the US. The quirky 7.4-mile route from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach includes glorious views of the Pacific Ocean, and the event maintains a handicap system based on age and gender, so this might just be your chance to win a race.
Next race: June 2019 (date TBC), dipsea.org
THE LOIRE MARATHON
Once the stomping ground of French royalty, so expect turreted chateaus, stunning gardens and chocolate box villages as you make your way along this race based in the beautiful medieval town of Saumur, western France.
Next race: April 2019 (date TBC), marathon-loire.fr WÖRTHERSEE HALF MARATHON
This fast, flat trail race along the shores of Lake Wörthersee in Austria attracts 3,000 runners every year. Starting outside the magnificent Schlosshotel Velden, you’ll run past warm, turquoiseblue waters and dense alpine forests, finishing at the Klagenfurt Europapark.
Next race: August 26, kaerntenlaeuft.at BRECA WANAKA SWIMRUN Swimrun is the latest challenge to hit the adventure-racing scene. This one is set in Mt Aspiring National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, with teams of two navigating pristine trails, glacial waters, forests and lakes to cover 45.5km on foot and 8.5km in the water.
Next race: March 16, 2019, brecaswimrun.com