The World's Most Iconic Races, and Which One You Should Enter First

The world's most iconic races are the ones with history, huge crowds and a story runners retell for decades: Boston, New York, London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo and Sydney on the roads, Comrades and UTMB for ultrarunners, and Athens for pure history. For most runners, the smartest first iconic race is a flat, big-city marathon you can realistically get into, with Boston, Comrades and UTMB as goals to build toward.

Key takeaways

• The seven Abbott World Marathon Majors are the best-known road races on Earth; Sydney became the seventh in 2025.
• Most iconic races use ballots, qualifying times or charity places, so plan 6 to 12 months ahead.
• Flat courses such as Berlin and Chicago are the friendliest choice for a first big marathon.
• Comrades, Western States and UTMB are bucket-list ultras that reward years of build-up, not one season.
• The cheapest iconic race on the planet is free: your local parkrun.

What makes a race "iconic"?

Plenty of races are beautiful. Only a few are iconic. Look for three things.

• History: decades of results, legends and traditions. Boston has been run every year since 1897.
• Scale and atmosphere: tens of thousands of runners and a city that turns out to cheer.
• A defining challenge: a famous hill, a brutal distance, a world-record course or a route that means something.

The best iconic races combine all three. That is why runners plan holidays, savings and entire training years around them.

The road legends: the World Marathon Majors

The Abbott World Marathon Majors are the sport's best-known series. Finish all of them and you earn the series' famous finisher medal. Each has its own personality.

Boston Marathon (United States)

The world's oldest annual marathon, first held in 1897 and run on Patriots' Day in April. Most runners need a qualifying time for their age and gender, which makes a "BQ" one of running's great badges. The Newton hills, capped by Heartbreak Hill around mile 20 (32 km), decide many races.

New York City Marathon (United States)

It began in 1970 as laps of Central Park with 127 starters. Today it crosses all five boroughs and has had more than 50,000 finishers in recent editions, making it one of the largest marathons ever staged. Bridges make it harder than it looks.

London Marathon (United Kingdom)

First run in 1981, London is famous for its crowds, its costumes and its charity fundraising. The public ballot is heavily oversubscribed, so many runners enter through charity places.

Berlin Marathon (Germany)

Flat, fast and cool in late September, Berlin has produced more men's marathon world records than any other course, including Eliud Kipchoge's 2:01:09 in 2022. If you want a personal best on a famous stage, this is the classic choice.

Chicago, Tokyo and Sydney

Chicago (first run in 1977) is flat and well organised, with an October date that often brings good weather. Tokyo offers meticulous organisation and passionate crowds. Sydney joined the Majors in 2025, finishing near the Opera House after crossing the Harbour Bridge.

Ultra and trail icons

If the marathon is not enough, these races have their own mythology.

Comrades Marathon (South Africa)

First run in 1921, Comrades covers roughly 90 km (56 miles) between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, alternating between "up" and "down" years. Runners have 12 hours to finish, and the medal tradition rewards finishers at every level. Many runners use Cape Town's 56 km Two Oceans Marathon as a stepping stone.

UTMB (France, Italy and Switzerland)

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, first held in 2003, loops around Mont Blanc for about 170 km (106 miles) with roughly 10,000 m (33,000 ft) of climbing. Entry requires collecting qualifying points at UTMB World Series events. Shorter races in the same week, such as the OCC and CCC, give a taste of the atmosphere.

Western States 100 (United States)

The original 100-mile trail race, born when Gordy Ainsleigh ran a horse endurance trail on foot in 1974. It runs from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, through snow, canyons and heat. Its lottery is famously hard to win.

Marathon des Sables (Morocco)

A multi-day stage race of around 250 km through the Sahara, held since 1986, where runners carry most of their own food and gear.

History and culture icons

Some races are iconic for what they mean rather than how hard they are.

• Athens Authentic Marathon (Greece): runs from the town of Marathon to the marble Panathenaic Stadium, following the route linked to the legend that gave the distance its name.
• Tata Mumbai Marathon (India): first run in 2004 and usually held in January, it is India's best-known marathon and a festival of the city's running culture.
• parkrun (worldwide): a free, timed 5K held on Saturday mornings in parks across many countries. It started in 2004 with 13 runners in London's Bushy Park and now draws hundreds of thousands of people every week.

Which one should you enter first?

Here is an honest guide based on where you are now.

• You have never raced: start with parkrun or a local 5K. Our 5K races near you guide helps you find one.
• First marathon, want the spectacle: choose a flat Major such as Berlin or Chicago, or a well-supported home race such as Mumbai. Flat courses and cool weather make pacing far easier.
• You love history: Athens gives you the original route, though its long climb in the middle makes it a challenging first marathon.
• You are chasing a time: Berlin is the benchmark, with Chicago and London close behind.
• Boston is your dream: treat it as a two-to-three-year goal. Run a fast, flat qualifier first, then apply.
• You want to try an ultra: go from marathon to Two Oceans (56 km) before Comrades, or from a 50 km trail race to a UTMB-week race before the full loop.

For most runners, the best order looks like this: a local race, then a flat big-city marathon, then a hilly or historic marathon, and only then a famous ultra.

How to get in and get ready

Entry routes

• Ballots and lotteries: used by London, New York, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago and Sydney. Many open 6 to 12 months before race day.
• Qualifying times: Boston and, for some categories, Chicago and others offer time-based entry.
• Charity places: you commit to fundraising in exchange for a guaranteed spot.
• Tour operators: official travel partners sell race-and-hotel packages, usually at a premium.

Training and travel

• Give yourself a 16-to-20-week marathon build, with most running at an easy, conversational effort. Our article on why training too hard keeps you slow explains why.
• Arrive at least 2 to 3 days early for a destination race. A common rule of thumb is about one day per time zone crossed to fully adjust.
• Practise your race fuelling in long runs, and plan a simple, familiar night-before-race dinner even when you're abroad.
• For hot races, plan 10 to 14 days of gradual heat exposure before you travel.

Find your iconic race on Runtra

Ready to choose? Read our guide to the best marathons of 2026, browse races in the United States and South Africa, explore ultramarathons, or find marathons closer to home in India.

FAQ

What are the most famous marathons in the world?

The most famous are the Abbott World Marathon Majors: Boston, New York, London, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo and, since 2025, Sydney. Outside that series, the Athens Authentic Marathon is iconic for its history, and Comrades in South Africa is the world's best-known ultramarathon.

Which World Marathon Major is easiest for a first marathon?

Berlin and Chicago are usually considered the friendliest because they are flat and often have cool race-day weather. Both use ballots or other entry routes, so apply early. Boston is not a first-marathon option for most people because it requires a qualifying time.

How do I get into the Boston Marathon?

Most runners qualify by running a certified marathon under the time standard for their age and gender, then applying in the registration window. Because demand is high, you usually need to beat the standard by a margin. Charity entries are the main alternative.

What is the hardest iconic race to enter?

Western States 100 and UTMB are among the hardest, because they require qualifying races and lotteries with low odds. Among road races, London and Tokyo ballots are heavily oversubscribed, so charity places or tour operators are often the most reliable route.

How far in advance should I plan for a major marathon?

Plan 6 to 12 months ahead. Ballots and qualifying windows often open close to a year before race day, and you need 16 to 20 weeks of training after you secure your place. Book travel early, because hotels near major races fill quickly.