International Marathons Series

Location: Rome, Italy
Event Highlight: Running through one of the world’s greatest open-air museums.
Expected field size: Over 28,000 marathon runners; 50,000+ participants across all events.

The Rome Marathon offers a unique opportunity to run through nearly 3,000 years of history. The course passes legendary landmarks including the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo and the Roman Forum. Few races can match Rome’s combination of sporting challenge and cultural significance. International participation continues to grow rapidly, with overseas runners making up a large proportion of the field. The event has become Italy’s largest marathon and is especially attractive for charity teams seeking an iconic destination race. The atmosphere, architecture, and historic backdrop create an unforgettable marathon experience.

Location: Milan, Italy
Event Highlight: Italy’s fastest marathon course.
Expected field size: Around 15,000 marathon runners; 30,000+ including relay events.

The Milan Marathon has established itself as the premier choice in Italy for runners seeking a fast finish time. The flat course winds through Milan’s elegant boulevards and modern business districts before finishing in the heart of the city. Its speed and efficient organisation have helped attract a growing international audience, while the relay marathon adds a strong community and corporate dimension. Milan also boasts one of Europe’s most successful charity marathon programmes, generating millions of euros for non-profit organisations annually. Combined with the city’s reputation for fashion, culture, and gastronomy, the event offers an appealing blend of performance and destination travel.

Location: Vienna, Austria
Event Highlight: A marathon combining world-class organisation with classical music heritage.
Expected field size: More than 30,000 participants across race weekend events.

The Vienna City Marathon is Austria’s largest running event and one of central Europe’s most established marathons. The route crosses the Danube and passes many of Vienna’s famous landmarks, including the State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace, and the historic Ringstrasse. What sets Vienna apart is its unique blend of sport and culture, with music and entertainment featured throughout race weekend. The event is part of the European Marathon Classics series and holds a World Athletics Elite Label. Excellent public transport, a compact city centre, and strong international participation make Vienna particularly attractive for overseas charity runners.

Location: Madrid, Spain
Runner Appeal: Spain’s biggest running party, with live music and iconic city landmarks throughout the course.
Expected field size: Approximately 47,000 participants across the marathon and half marathon events, including around 17,000 marathon runners.

The Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid is one of Europe’s most vibrant and atmospheric marathon experiences. Taking place in the heart of Spain’s capital, the course passes many of Madrid’s most famous landmarks, including the Prado Museum, Retiro Park and the city’s grand boulevards. What truly sets this event apart is its festival atmosphere, with more than 30 live music stages and thousands of spectators lining the streets to create an unforgettable race-day experience.

Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Event Highlight: Running through one of Europe’s most picturesque historic capitals.
Expected field size: Around 10,000 runners.

The Prague Marathon is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful city marathons in Europe. The course traverses both sides of the Vltava River and passes landmarks such as Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and Prague Castle. The race combines a stunning historic setting with a relatively flat route that appeals to runners of all abilities. Prague’s affordability and compact city centre make it particularly attractive for international participants and charity groups. The event is professionally organised and attracts runners from more than 100 countries, creating a truly international atmosphere in one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations.

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Event Highlight: Exceptional crowd support and cycling-friendly Scandinavian atmosphere.
Expected field size: Approximately 20,000–25,000 runners.

The Copenhagen Marathon is one of northern Europe’s most popular marathons, offering a flat course through the Danish capital’s historic districts, waterfront areas, and colourful neighbourhoods. The race is especially known for enthusiastic spectator support, with much of the route lined by local residents, music stations, and community groups. Copenhagen consistently ranks among the world’s most liveable cities, giving runners plenty to enjoy beyond race day. The course is fast and accessible, making it popular with both first-time marathoners and experienced runners. Its sustainability credentials and easy access from the UK further enhance its appeal as a charity event destination.

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Event Highlight: One of Europe’s most scenic oceanfront marathon routes.
Expected field size: Around 15,000 marathon runners.

The Lisbon Marathon is frequently described as one of the world’s most beautiful marathons thanks to its spectacular coastal route. Starting in Carcavelos and finishing in the historic Praça do Comércio, the course follows the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River almost entirely. The race combines excellent running conditions with a highly attractive European city-break destination. Lisbon’s pleasant autumn climate, rich culture, affordable travel options, and exceptional food scene add to the event’s appeal. The marathon attracts thousands of international participants each year and forms part of the European Marathon Classics series, helping to raise its profile among global marathon enthusiasts.

Location: Athens, Greece
Event Highlight: The authentic route of the original marathon.
Expected field size: Around 20,000 marathon runners.

The Athens Marathon, known as “The Authentic Marathon”, follows the legendary route from Marathon to Athens, tracing the path associated with the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides. This historical significance makes it one of the most iconic marathons in the world. The course is challenging, with substantial hills during the middle stages, but runners are rewarded with a spectacular finish inside the Panathenaic Stadium, the venue of the first modern Olympic Games. For many marathon enthusiasts, Athens is considered a bucket-list event due to its unique place in sporting history and the emotional significance of completing the sport’s original race.

Location: Valencia, Spain
Event Highlight: One of the fastest marathon courses in the world.
Expected field size: Approximately 35,000 runners.

The Valencia Marathon has become one of the world’s premier road races and a favourite destination for runners pursuing personal bests and qualification times. The flat, fast course features ideal weather conditions and exceptional race organisation. The race is renowned for its spectacular finish at the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, where runners cross a blue water-lined finishing straight. Valencia has earned a reputation for producing elite performances and record-breaking times while remaining welcoming to everyday runners. With strong international participation, reliable climate, and excellent travel connections, it is now considered one of Europe’s most desirable marathon experiences.