Marathons and marathon-type races are the focus of this part of our web guide.
Usually, these are road races, but the distance may also be covered on trail routes, and completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. For some, the ultimate goal is to be among the first to complete the race. For others, the goal may simply be to complete the race.
For the purposes of this category, these may include 5K marathons, 10K marathons, half marathons, full marathons, ultramarathons, or specialty or theme races, such as fun runs, trail races, obstacle course races, or color runs.
The vast majority of competitors are recreational athletes, and larger marathons might have tens of thousands of participants.
Marathon-type runs represent human endeavor, personal triumph, and community spirit. From the rapid beat of a 5K charity run to the strenuous challenge of an ultramarathon, these events are often accessible to every level of runner, particularly at the lower end of the scale.
The roots of the marathon are in ancient legends. The tale of Pheidippides, the Greek messenger who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens, illustrates the essence of sacrifice and endurance. Modern marathons emerged from this legacy, culminating in the revival of the event in the very first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Since then, the marathon has been a ritual of athletic excellence and community spirit.
Today's running events cover a wide range of distances and themes. Shorter races, such as 5K and 10K runs, serve as accessible introductions to organized racing and are often designed to foster community spirit. These races frequently serve as charity events or festive gatherings. They are a fun and low-pressure way to engage in healthy competition and support local causes.
Half marathons offer a middle ground for those ready to leave the beginner stage behind, but who are not yet fully committed to the grueling full marathon distance. Beyond these standard formats, ultramarathons push the boundaries of endurance by extending well beyond the traditional 26.2 miles of a marathon, sometimes set in challenging terrains like mountains or deserts. Specialty races, including fun runs, trail races, obstacle course races, and color runs, inject creativity into the activity.
Each event, often with unique motivations and challenges, enrich the running culture by catering to a wide assortment of interests, fitness levels, and personal goals.
The full marathon is the rite of passage for many serious runners. Spanning 26.2 miles, the marathon is a test of mental grit, strategic pacing, and meticulous preparation. To cross that finish line as one of the front-runners, participants often prepare with months of disciplined training, nutrition planning, and dedication. Others might come in hours later, satisfied with having completed it.
Marathons, even full marathons, often emphasize participation over perfection. They transform urban streets and scenic landscapes into venues where participants, whether elite runners or enthusiastic amateurs, share in the thrill of accomplishment, the joy of movement, and the satisfaction that comes from being a part of it, often while raising funds for a worthy charity. On one hand, a marathon is a competitive sport that inspires rigorous training, sports science innovations, and dramatic finish-line sprints. On the other hand, it's an inclusive celebration of resilience, offering everyday people the chance to challenge themselves and experience the euphoria of completing a seemingly insurmountable distance. Detailed preparation routines, race-day strategies, such as controlled pacing and energy management, and the logistics of hydration and nutrition, all underscore the complexity behind what might seem like a simple run. For many, the full marathon is a metaphor for life's journey — a series of obstacles overcome through perseverance, strategic planning, and determination.
While the full marathon captures much of the public's imagination, its relatives redefine endurance sports. Ultramarathons, which can span from 50 miles to multi-day events over rugged terrain, demand a radical shift in mindset and physical resilience. Ultramarathons are not for the impulsive. Specialty and themed races add another layer of excitement, as much for the spectators as for the participants. Fun runs and color runs, for example, combine physical activity with creative, often whimsical, elements. Obstacle races, such as Tough Mudder or Spartan Race, incorporate physical challenges like mud crawls and wall climbs, sometimes blurring the lines between sport and performance art.
Recommended Resources
The B.A.A. is dedicated to organized sports, with a focus on running, in the Greater Boston area. The B.A.A. hosts various events, including the Boston Marathon, the Boston 5K, the Boston 10K, the Boston Half Marathon, and the B.A.A. Distance Medley, which comprises 5K, 10K, and half-marathon events, as well as the B.A.A. Invitational Mile, each of which is highlighted on its website. Its most famous event, the Boston Marathon, traditionally held on Patriots' Day, was begun in 1897.
https://www.baa.org/
Designed as a resource for those seeking a marathon, the site offers marathon calendars, side-by-side race comparisons, marathon rankings, race reviews, and time conversion tools. Users can quickly view the elevation profile, the course speed, and the best Boston qualifiers. Its advanced search allows users to find marathons based on the criteria that are important to them, such as race day temperature, course type, course locations, and others. A race-specific Marathon Pace Band may be created.
https://findmymarathon.com/
Founded in 2006, Loco Races was created by runners interested in producing more running events in New England, sponsoring fun runs and competitive road races and marathons. Upcoming winter, spring, summer, and fall events are featured, including dates, information, and online registration. Maintained by Ventures Endurance Events, the site includes sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, its group registration program, team-building steps, and a shopping area.
https://locoraces.com/
The Marathon Handbook is a popular online resource for runners, offering training plans, expert advice, gear reviews, and running tips. Whether preparing for a first 5K or aiming for a sub-4-hour marathon, it provides guidance on topics such as pacing strategies, nutrition, and injury prevention. Multiple training plans are available for the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or Marathon, and online run coaching packages are also available with a minimum three-month commitment.
https://marathonhandbook.com/
The Everest Marathon is an annual marathon event held in the Solukhumbu District, Nepal, near the vicinity of Mount Everest, in May. With its starting point at 5,401 meters (the highest elevation of Everest Base Camp) from where the ascent of Mount Everest Peak begins, the marathon is considered one of the highest and toughest marathons in the world. Schedules, packages, a marathon guide, results from past events, a photo gallery, and contact information are provided.
http://www.everestmarathon.com/
Sponsored by New York Road Runners, the NYC Marathon is an annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is the largest marathon in the world, and, along with the Boston Marathon and the Chicago Marathon, it is among the premier long-distance annual running events in the United States, as well as one of the World Marathon Majors. It has been run every year since 1970, with the exceptions of 2012 (due to Hurricane Sandy) and 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon
The Tata Ultra Marathon is one of India's ultra-running events. The event features a 50-kilometer race, along with a 35-kilometer challenge run, allowing participants to choose a distance that suits their level of preparedness or to use the shorter run as preparation for the ultimate 50-kilometer challenge. Participants enjoy well-planned support along the route, including refreshments, hydration, medical aid, physiotherapy, and portable facilities. Race details are featured.
https://tataultra.com/
This is a list of upcoming marathons in the United States, sorted chronologically, from the near to the more distant future, beginning with the date, the name of the race, city, and state. Dates, start times, the number of places available, a description, routes, entry fees, contact information, and other information are provided for each. Popular marathons are highlighted on the index page, and viewers may also sort by state, for CA, FL, GA, IL, NY, NC, OH, PA, TX, and WA.
http://www.usamarathonlist.com/
Set in the Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the ultramarathon route features the rugged terrain of the Loyalsock Trail, Loyalsock State Forest, and World's End State Park. The event offers two distances: a 50K course and a 100K route, which challenge athletes over wavy, technical, and rugged single-track trails, featuring cascading waterfalls and stunning vista views along the way. Race information and photos are provided, along with volunteer opportunities and schedules.
https://worldsendultra.com/
