The world’s best destination marathons for 2025

A new year, a new set of goals to make, and what better goal is there than to commit to a marathon? Of course, they are no easy undertaking, but perhaps you are looking to ramp up the challenge even more, either by extending the length into an ultramarathon (any length longer than a marathon, usually starting at 50km and going from there), or by choosing rougher terrain to compete on – from dirt trails to rocky scree – or by adding an ungodly amount of vertical gain and altitude to contend with.

The following adventurous marathons certainly offer distinct and unusual challenges. They also have the huge benefit of being located in some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world, making for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The popularity of such events is increasing: the majority of the below marathons held their first edition in the past 12 years, indicative of a rising interest in endurance events. Read on for our guide to some of the most spectacular locations for competing in a marathon and ultramarathon, across the world.

Plus, looking for the best city marathons in the world? Read our guide for 2025 here.

Big Sur International Marathon, California

Best for: Epic coastal views, without venturing off tarmac
When: 27 April 2025

Snaking above the Pacific Coast, Highway 1 in California is the US’s first designated scenic highway, with far reaching views over the ocean, down steep cliffs to the crashing waves below. Big Sur International Marathon takes on this epic strip of tarmac with a traffic-free race along its length. The course starts in Big Sur and heads north to Carmel, passing giant redwoods, a churning coastline and forest-clad mountains. The centerpiece of the course is found halfway along Bixby Bridge, where participants run 216 metres up above the waves. The marathon is limited to 4,500 contestants, meaning the course never feels too busy. This race is pretty unique, offering the chance to compete in a marathon along a classic American road-tripping route.

Big Five Marathon, South Africa

Best for: A mighty trail run through the African savannah
When: 14 June 2025

Who would pass up the opportunity to race through the African savannah, along dirt roads and rolling hills, with the chance of spotting some of the Big Five (elephants, rhino, buffalo, lions and leopards) along the way? Taking place in South Africa’s Entabeni Reserve, Big Five Marathon is a challenging course, but one that offers an incredibly close connection with its environment: there are no fences separating the contestants from the bush and all its wildlife. The surface varies throughout the race, from fairly consistent dirt tracks to looser rocky sections. Yellow Wood Valley is the section most contestants will have etched on their mind, where a sharp descent over 3km leads directly into a 9km loop of deep sand drifts, before ascending back up the hill again. The event takes place in June, which is mid winter for South Africa, so participants can expect dry, cool and sunny weather, with an average temperature of 15-20 degrees Celsius.

Australian Outback Marathon, Australia

Best for: Running beside Uluru
When: 26 July 2025

The Australian Outback is a uniquely inspiring landscape, covered in dark red sand, and imbued with deep cultural significance for First Nations communities. The Australian Outback Marathon, held in July each year, offers a small number of participants the once-in-a-lifetime chance to run past Uluru and Kata Tjuta, along paths that are usually closed to the public, all while maintaining respect for the local people there. The marathon organisers provide free race entries to every student at the local Yulara Primary School, and work with Ayers Rock Resort to sponsor three other local schools in the surrounding Anangu Pipalyatjara area. The race takes place in Yulara, Northern Territory, and starts and finishes within eyesight of Uluru. The course undulates over low dunes, offering excellent views over the otherworldly landscape.

Jungfrau Marathon, Switzerland

Best for: One of the world’s most classic mountain marathons
When: 5-6 September 2025

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to climb up a mountain during a marathon? One way to find out is by taking part in the Jungfrau Marathon in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. Here, 4,000 contestants start in Interlaken on the valley floor at around 500 metres above sea level, and head up a gently sloping valley to Lauterbrunnen, before making an abrupt zigzagging climb up hiking trails and rocky mountain paths to the top of the ski resort at 2,320 metres – taking in a total ascent of almost 2000 metres. Fortunately, the route takes place in one of the most picturesque regions of the Alps, with views of the spectacular Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau massif prominent throughout much of the course. The route takes in quintessential Alpine villages, past classic hotels and mountainsides ringing with cowbells, and hugs the bank of an emerald lake. For a uniquely challenging marathon with ample rewards for your effort, look no further than this.

Ladakh Marathon, India

Best for: A true Himalayan undertaking
When: 14 September 2025

This is a mountain marathon with a difference. High in the Himalayas, in a rain shadow so severe it has created a unique mountain desert habitat, Ladakh has a way of making a brisk walk feel punishing enough, let alone a marathon. Bordering Tibet on a high plateau, with the lowest point of the race at 3,500 metres above sea level, and rising to a high point of 5,370 metres, altitude cannot be underestimated here, meaning proper care needs to be taken with acclimatisation before the event begins. To be eligible to compete, runners must demonstrate a qualifying time of under six hours at another recent marathon. The race begins under the shadow of the dramatic fort-like Leh Palace with a 6km downhill section, before crossing Choglamsar Bridge, where prayer flags flap in the wind, and takes in the isolated Shey Monastery later in the race.

Ambitious participants can opt to take on an even greater feat of endurance by tackling the 72km-long Khardung La Challenge – the highest ultramarathon in the world. This pushes things to the extreme, with approximately 60km of the course occurring above 4,000 metres of elevation. However, the pinnacle of high altitude endurance running is the Silk Route Ultra, held in conjunction with the other two events for 60 participants each year, taking in 122km (almost three times the length of a marathon) of gruelling Himalayan adventure.

Patagonia International Marathon, Chile

Best for: Running in one of the world’s finest wildernesses
When: 6 September 2025

In the far southern reaches of the planet, where bare peaks, blue lakes and black soil mingle – Chilean Patagonia is the stuff of adventure travellers’ dreams. Each September, it is also the location of one of the world’s most remote marathons. More than 5,500 runners from over 65 countries compete each year, running along the undulating gravel roads through the wilderness. The race takes place in Torres del Paine National Park, starting in Puerto Natales in Western Patagonia. The entire route presents participants with breathtaking scenery, with views of the principal mountains of the park: Cerro Paine Grande, Cuernos del Paine, Cerro Almirante Nieto and Torres del Paine. For shorter distances, 21km and 10km races are also held, sharing the finish line and its atmosphere energy with the marathon.