16 Bucket List Marathons To Do Before You Die

There are many things that people want to do before they die. One such thing is running in a marathon. You should run a marathon, it’s one thing you can cross off your bucket list and say “I did it.”

This compilation of bucket list marathons has the best, most interesting races you can run in the World.

Read on for the complete list of fantastic marathons that all serious runners should have on their bucket list.

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Bucket List Marathons

A lot of people like to combine their love of travel with their passion for running and creating a marathon bucket list is a great way to achieve this.

Many marathons run through the most beautiful places in the World and provide a unique opportunity to practise your hobby while discovering new cities and countries.

Here are my top choices for bucket list marathons:

Bucket List Marathons USA

The New York City Marathon

This is one of the best known marathons in the World, and it attracts some of the top runners from around the globe.

This marathon takes place in November every year and has a special meaning for many people because it was started by an Air Force officer who wanted to raise money for charity after he saw a news report about disabled veterans who were having difficulty readjusting to their civilian lives after serving overseas during World War II.

This race has been run since 1978 so there are plenty of races on record.

Some famous runners have won this event including Alberto Salazar when he ran with his orthotics; Salazar went on to win the Boston Marathon several years later, well after this race.

This marathon has an average of 20,000 runners and is very popular because it’s so convenient to run in New York City; since many people live there they can take public transportation to the starting line each year!

It usually takes place in early November and the weather conditions are ideal for running that time of year.

This marathon starts in Staten Island on top of a bridge that connects Manhattan and Staten Island and goes through all five boroughs of New York City.

Make sure to check out my NYC Bucket List: 85+ Things to Do in New York when you attend the marathon.

The Honolulu Marathon

The Honolulu Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the country.

It takes place on December each year and starts near world famous Waikiki Beach, which is a popular tourist destination.

The race has been going on for over 40 years and features a scenic course that goes through parts of downtown Honolulu and Chinatown.

One of the many great things about this race is that it’s open to runners of all skill levels, whether a beginner or an elite runner.

You can also volunteer at this event for little to no cost which makes it easy for anyone to participate.

The Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is a well-known event in the running community.

In 1897, it became the world’s first marathon and has since been an annual tradition.

The race starts at one of the most historic locations, the site of the first battles of the American Revolution; participants then run past many other historic sites while seeing a beautiful landscape.

Participants often add an extra challenge by starting inside a kettle near Fenway Park and then going out on to Commonwealth Avenue and into Kenmore Square.

Following this race are many spectators cheering them on as they make their way to Copley Square where they get to see the finish line.

The Chicago Marathon

The Chicago Marathon is one of the most popular marathon events in the country and it takes place on October each year.

It starts near Grant Park which is a popular tourist destination.

Participants then make their way through some of the most iconic parts of Chicago’s neighborhoods, like the Magnificent Mile, before they end back at Grant Park where they finished.

If you are spending the weekend in Chicago for the race, make sure to check out my Chicago Bucket List.

The Big Sur Marathon

The Big Sur Marathon is a marathon which takes place in California, United States.

It begins on the Pacific Coast Highway and heads through some of the most popular coastal destinations in California, like Hearst Castle and San Simeon.

The Disney World Marathon

The Disney World Marathon is a marathon which takes place in the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

It starts just outside of Orlando which is the most popular destination for tourists visiting Florida. Participants make their way through many different parts of the resort, like Epcot and Magic Kingdom, before finishing in front of Cinderella Castle.

It’s one of the most popular marathons in the world because it’s scenic with multiple routes that are perfect for all levels.

This event also includes different races that you can participate in, including a half marathon, full marathon, and various other events.

The Twin Cities Marathon

The Twin Cities Marathon is a marathon which takes place in the city of Minneapolis and St. Paul, United States, annually. It is fun because you get to run through two different cities in one race.

Participants start near the Mississippi River and make their way through some of the most historic parts of Minnesota.

The race ends at Target Field Station, where participants can enjoy many different post-race activities.

The Philadelphia Marathon

The Philadelphia Marathon is a marathon which takes place every year in October, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

It starts near the Schuylkill River and makes its way through some of the most historic parts of this city. This event has been going on for over 30 years and runners have to make their way up numerous hills during the course before finishing with a view of the historic Manayunk Bridge.

For more amazing races to run in the USA (10Ks and up), I found this Runners World article very helpful.

Marathon Bucket List In The World

The London Marathon

The London Marathon was first organized in 1981 and now attracts over 40,000 runners each year. There is also a fun run for people who don’t want to do the entire marathon course, which is 26 miles 385 yards long (42 kilometers 195 meters).

This marathon takes place at different times every year but it usually occurs during April or early May when weather conditions are perfect for running!

This event attracts runners from all over the world because there aren’t many races where you can see Buckingham Palace while you’re racing!

The route follows a scenic path along the River Thames where thousands of spectators cheer on participants as they come through.

During your stay in London, make sure to check out my list of 60+ Things To Do In London.

The Antartica Marathon

This is one of the few marathons to take place in Antarctica.

It usually starts in January and organizers cover a route that includes snow-covered glaciers, penguin colonies, and historic huts.

At the end of the race participants get to see the spectacular views of icebergs as they make their way back to port where they start.

Marabana In Cuba

The Cuba marathon is one of the most popular races in the world. The race takes place in Havana, Cuba and usually starts at 7 a.m. on May 1.

It attracts over 400 runners from more than 50 countries and is a great way for them to see parts of the island that tourists aren’t allowed to see. The race isn’t timed, but winners get a medal.

Conquer The Wall Marathon

The Great Wall Marathon is an annual marathon race on top of the Great Wall of China.

It was first organized in 1999 and has been run every year since then.

The midpoint of this marathon is about 2,400 feet above sea level; the start and finish are both at sea level.

The Great Wall Marathon takes runners over steep hills, as well as flat portions of the wall itself.

The Great Wall Marathon attracts runners from all over the World because it’s such an amazing event and the rare opportunity to run on top of one of the greatest wonders in the world!

The Athens Marathon

The Athens International Marathon is a race that’s been going strong since the 1970s.

It takes place each year in November and it draws thousands of runners from all over the world to participate in the experience of running on some of the most scenic streets in Greece.

The route starts near one of the most important sites for Greek democracy, at Syntagma Square and then travelers through many of Athens’ most famous landmarks including the Acropolis, The Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Mount Lycabettus , finishing at the Panathinaiko Stadium.

The Reggae Marathon

The Reggae Marathon in Jamaica is one of the most popular events on the island. It’s been going on for over 30 years and has attracted hundreds of thousands of participants from years ago.

The race takes place on December each year and starts not far from the coast, near Negril Beach which is a popular tourist destination.

Participants then make their way through some of the most beautiful parts of Jamaican nature before they end back at the beach where they started.

The Maasai Marathon

The Maasai Marathon is a marathon which takes place in Kenya and is an amazing bucket list marathon to do before you die.

It’s been happening for over 25 years and, in that time, it’s become one of the most popular events on the country.

Participants start off at the coast and make their way through some of the most beautiful landscapes that you’ll find in Kenya.

The race ends at the Ngorongoro Crater which attracts several different animals and is one of the most iconic sights in all of Africa.”

The Big Five Marathon

Staying in Africa, you have one of the most popular marathons in the world, the Big Five Marathon in South Africa.

It starts near Johannesburg which is a popular destination for tourists and participants make their way through Pretoria, one of the cities with the highest population in South Africa.

This event often attracts elite runners but it’s also open to beginners and anyone who wants to participate in a marathon.

The Berlin Marathon

The Berlin Marathon is an annual marathon that follows a scenic course in Berlin, Germany.

This race has been going on for over 30 years and it has attracted hundreds of thousands of runners from around the world.

One of the most notable aspects of this marathon is that it’s held on a holiday which means that there’s plenty of support available for all levels

The Silk Road Marathon

The Silk Road Marathon is a marathon which takes place in China and it’s one of the most iconic marathons on the planet.

It starts off in the city of Xi’an and follows a scenic route, with many different routes for runners to choose from.

The race ends just after Mount Hua Shan which is often considered the most difficult mountain in the world of mountaineering.

This event can be a bit challenging but runners love this course because it offers so many different terrains and views.

Bucket List Marathons – Final Thoughts

Running a marathon is an accomplishment that will last you the rest of your life.

The bucket list marathons listed in this article are some of the most popular and scenic around, meaning they’re perfect for any runner looking to make their experience unforgettable.

Whether you want something challenging or just want to complete a race without worrying about it being too difficult, one of these races should be at the top of your list if you haven’t signed up yet!

Which bucket list marathon do you think is worth running before someone dies? Let us know by commenting below.