How to choose your marathon?
It’s not just a race; it’s a legend. Every year, thousands of people start a marathon, often labeled as the “queen of distances” in running. To be precise, 42.195 km. Worldwide, there are thousands of marathons. If you wanted to run a marathon every weekend, it would be possible. From Tokyo to London, passing through the small town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice or the metropolis of Rome. In cold weather or in the Sahara, in May or in July. With so many options available, you’ll find a marathon even if you’re the most discerning runner. So, how do you select a marathon from this endless list? In this article, we provide our advice and recommendations to help you choose the right marathon.
Why is it important to choose the right marathon?
Choosing the right marathon allows you to optimize your experience based on goals, physical condition, and personal expectations. There are as many runners as there are different race goals. The selection criteria are numerous. You can select your marathon based on your goal, preparation, level, or even your budget, logistics, and accessibility.
Running 42.195 km requires preparation, even if the goal is simply to finish the race. Whether you’re participating in the Beer Marathon for fun, or the Valencia Marathon to beat your personal record, we recommend preparing for the race at least a little. Why? Simply because you’ll enjoy it more if you’re ready on race day, regardless of your goal. In a running season, you can do between 1 to 3 marathons. Of course, nothing prevents you from doing more. Running 1 to 3 marathons a year allows you to be at 100% on race day, reduce the risk of injury, and recover well between each marathon.
You can also choose to run just one marathon if you have a unique goal or other goals in mind like a half-marathon, trail running, or even a triathlon. Once again, your goal will impact your preparation and choice of marathon. Your running experience too. A beginner will need more preparation time as they need to build a base. They’ll likely choose an accessible course. A seasoned runner already has some mileage in their legs.
Define your marathon goal
Before choosing your marathon, we recommend defining your race goal. This will significantly impact the marathon you choose. Every runner can and should determine their goal. Taking the time to define your priorities before choosing your marathon maximizes your chances of success and allows you to fully appreciate the journey. Knowing your goal will enable you to align your choice with your ambitions and tailor your preparation while considering logistics to optimize your overall experience.
Starting with the distance?
You’ve already run a 10 km or a half-marathon, but this time you are stepping up, and your next race will be a marathon. If you’re new to the distance, our advice is to choose a marathon that’s accessible in terms of the course. Not too much elevation gain, favorable temperatures, and some crowd support to help you.
Breaking your personal record?
This year, the goal is simple: you want to break your personal record over the marathon distance. Your time goal significantly impacts your choice of marathon. It’s challenging to set a reference time on a difficult course like the Paris Marathon, for instance. Conversely, each year, many elite runners start the Valencia Marathon, one of the fastest marathon courses available.
Running for travel?
There are so many marathons that you could probably find a race for each country. If your marathon goal revolves around travel and discovery, you might prioritize the destination over the course, crowd size, or organization. You can take advantage of your trip to explore nearby areas, go on a road trip in the destination country, or discover local culture and cuisine.
Festive atmosphere and themed races?
Are you not looking for an ordinary marathon? Some race organizers emphasize the atmosphere and festive nature of the event. Imagine running a marathon with a tasting at every refreshment stop or running in costume with music playing. There are many festive races that will cater to your preferences.
Selection criteria for choosing the right marathon
Once you’ve defined your race goal for your next marathon, you can associate it with various selection criteria to refine your search. With thousands of marathons worldwide, the list is still vast for finding your hidden gem. The more specific your selection criteria, the narrower your choices will be. You’ll eventually get a short list of marathons perfectly suited to your expectations.
After defining your marathon goal, you can eliminate some possibilities. If you don’t want to travel, for instance, you can look at marathons near you. If, on the contrary, your plan is to discover a new place and enjoy traveling, you can broaden your search scope.
We recommend giving importance to the marathon profile and all event-related characteristics. Are you looking for a fast marathon to beat your record? Weather and climate will impact your preparation and performance on race day. If the marathon has become very popular, some races are renowned for their spectacular atmosphere. This information might also help you choose your marathon wisely.
Have you closely examined the characteristics of your perfect marathon? It’s now time to set a date or period of the year. This criterion often helps to narrow down the choices significantly!
Finally, to find your perfect marathon, you need to consider practical and personal aspects. What is your budget? Do you wish to stay overnight, minimize travel, or optimize your trip? Are you traveling alone, with family, or with friends? Some runners increasingly consider the ecological aspect of events.
Here’s a list of criteria to help you choose your marathon:
- Race period/date
- Course profile
- Eco-friendly aspect
- Marathon uniqueness
- Services and organization
- Budget
- Personal goal
- Logistics
- Weather conditions
- Race atmosphere
Our marathon recommendations
To get straight to the point, we offer some marathon recommendations based on your goals.Pour aller droit au but, nous vous proposons quelques recommandations de marathons en fonction de vos objectifs.
Want to combine sport and exploration? The New York Marathon will make your heart race. You’ll cross New York City’s five boroughs. If you want to stay in Europe, the London Marathon is a must. With 35,000 runners at the start and twice as many spectators, it will surely be a sight to behold. For speed enthusiasts, head to Berlin or Valencia. Each year, these two marathons gather a highly competitive field. The fast course and unmatched density will guide you to your record. In France, the Nice-Cannes Marathon and the Deauville Marathon are the most interesting for a big personal best. Conversely, if you’re keen on celebrating and performance isn’t your goal, head to the Médoc Marathon or the Beaujolais Marathon. Don your best outfit and get ready to raise a glass at each aid station. For runners seeking a unique and breathtaking setting, don’t miss the Vercors Marathon. An event in altitude on the Vercors plateaus, with mountains stretching as far as the eye can see in the background. Internationally, head to California for the Big Sur Marathon. You’ll run 42.195 km along the Pacific coast. A breathtaking view from the first kilometers. Lastly, if you want to experience a memory that will last a lifetime, you can’t skip the iconic Paris Marathon. If you want to stay in France, you can check out our top marathons to do in France in 2025.
You now have all the tools in hand to choose your next marathon wisely. To get a clearer view of the schedule, you can check the 2025 marathon calendar.