12 Marathons you won’t want to miss in 2023

Africa

Continentally, you might want to try the Egyptian Marathon (13 January). It starts on the Nile’s West Bank in Luxor, in front of the impressive temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and courses through prime tourist spots, including the Valley of Kings (where Tutankhamun's mummy is on display). Alternatively, the Uganda Marathon (28 May – 4 June) is worth a think. The week-long event is described as “an adventure like no other” and sees runners participating in local community impact activities ahead of race day.

East Asia

China’s Great Wall Marathon (20 May) is arguably one of the most challenging races to scratch off your marathon buck list! First run in 1999, it requires brave participants to climb 5,164 steps up the iconic Great Wall of China. Also in the region is the Tokyo Marathon (05 March), which is one of six World Marathon Majors. Its current course records are 2:03:58 (men) and 2:17:45 (women), and 1:21:52 (men’s wheelchair) and 1:40:00 (women’s wheelchair).

Europe 

The TCS London Marathon (23 April) is one of the biggest races around, with 50,097 runners participating in the 2022 edition (the oldest participant was Japanese 89-year-old Koichi Kitabatake). Participants of this relatively easy race get to run-see the Thames, the Tower of London and Trafalgar Square before concluding in front of Buckingham Palace.

If you prefer Mediterranean missions, then Run Rome The Marathon (19 March) – which passes historical landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and Saint Peter's – and/or the 37th edition of Le Marathon Des Châteaux Du Médoc (2 September) are musts.

Middle East

Petra Desert Marathon in Jordan is billed as “the desert race of a lifetime” as participants make their way through the UNESCO World Heritage Site. With several hills, steeps and a sharp descent (of roughly 1,100 m) as well as harsh desert heat to contend against, the scenic Petra adventure race challenges runners to dig deep. 

North America

Nothing compares to the Boston Marathon – the world’s oldest annual marathon. It is considered the pinnacle road racing event, with world record holder and double Olympic Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge set to run his first Boston Marathon in 2023 – the 127th edition. Otherwise, consider Canada’s Niagara Falls Marathon (22 October). It is mostly flat and concludes at the breathtaking Niagara Falls.

South America

Maratona Do Rio (11 June) is a scenic race through popular Rio de Janeiro. As the largest race in Latin America, it is, in true Brazillian style, diverse and festive. Alternatively, just a few countries away is the Patagonian International Marathon (09 September), which takes place within the Torres del Paine National Park, a stunning UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the world’s narrowest country, Chile. 

Local is lekker

Whether it’s the eThekwini Best of the Best Marathon (26 February), the Red Cross Big Five Marathon (17 June) which runs through a private game reserve in Limpopo, or the Knysna Forest Marathon (08 July), you can still get your marathon fix right here in Mzansi! 

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com