With the London Marathon coming up on the 23rd April, new research from TotallyMoney.com finds the world’s other most-run marathons, how much it costs to run them, and what they offer, both on the course and off it.
So If you’re struggling to choose one – or looking for an alternative to London – see which ones are popular with other runners by having a look at some of the runs with the highest number of participants below:
New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon had a massive 51,388 runners in 2016, despite the majority being entered into a ballot upon applying.
Ottawa Race Weekend
A big event also including smaller runs for those not looking for a full marathon, this is Canada’s best foot-race offering. And if you want to help your chosen charity, you can fund-raise through the event (and skip the entry fee at the same time!)
Athens Classic Marathon
In many senses, the longest-running marathon in the world (since the original Marathon was during the Athenian-Persian Battle of Marathon), the Athens Classic is still one of the world’s most popular. It also has one of the lowest entry costs, at only about £56.
Paris Marathon
The Paris Marathon has conditional entry based on your health, so make sure you’re in top condition before applying to run this one.
Chicago Marathon
Taking place in October, the Chicago Marathon had 40,608 runners in 2016. It also has a free T-shirt on offer for all participants (there’s also a 42% chance of rain on the day, which could be refreshing on the run, or a nightmare – your call).
“A marathon can be a challenge to yourself, or a great way to raise money for charity, or even just for fun,” said Joe Gardiner, TotallyMoney.com’s Head of Brand and Communications, “We wanted to show what options were available, and provide a way to make it easier to get down to the important part – the running.”
So whether you’re a dedicated marathon runner or are just taking your first steps into this popular endurance race, check out the rest of the world’s biggest marathons below:
