Peoples’ appetite for running is at an all-time high. In addition to the warmer weather (which itself is a siren call to lace up the trainers and hit the local park), when the London Marathon took place in April it saw a record-breaking 56,000 people take part.
When you consider that 840,000 people applied for the ballot to run it, it’s hard to deny that we’re currently living through a boom time for fitness fanatics. And given that 38 per cent of Gen Z singles are ditching dinner dates for runs (and that mentions of ‘park run’ in Tinder bios have soared 90 per cent between March 2023 and 2025, according to Tinder) it’s a trend that looks set to increase in future.
But as we all know, securing a spot is a different matter. And if you didn’t get one, what then? Turns out, the answer might be combining the business of running with pleasure and heading abroad – a sentiment which an ever-increasing number of people seem to be subscribing to.
Hotel company Generator has reported an increase in bookings around key marathon weekends – such as New York, Rome and Barcelona, all of which saw double-digit spikes in interest around the dates in question.
In the case of New York, there was a whopping 67 per cent increase in interest, suggesting that savvy spenders are starting to prioritise fitness-heavy holidays over party trips.
Google Trends backs this up: a study by Travel Republic found that the demand for “fitness holidays” increased by 84 per cent in April, while Google searches for “European marathons” spiked by 403 per cent.
And why not? Though London Marathon is over, there are still plenty of other marathons on the horizon – or plenty to apply for in 2026. Here’s our pick of the top destinations to book that combine fitness with fun.
Paris
When? 12 April, 2026
The great thing about going to Paris for a marathon is that it’s so easy. The Eurostar takes two and a half hours and drops you off in the Gare du Nord in the city’s centre. From there, the city is yours to wander, while the route itself encompasses some of the city’s most famous spots: the Champs Elysées, the Bois de Vincennes and the sight of the Eiffel Tower, for one. Unsurprisingly, it’s also very popular with Brits.
Berlin
When? The last weekend of September
Berlin bills itself as the world’s largest marathon, boasting over 54,000 finishers in 2024. Add to that the fact that runners have broken 13 world records over the course of its long history, and what you have is a buzzy weekend away. The course runs through some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Brandenburger Tor, and Alexanderplatz, and you’ll be able to celebrate with some currywurst at the end. Yes please.
Cyprus
When? 7-8 March, 2026
Yearning for the Mediterranean? The Cyprus Marathon takes place in March – nobody wants to be running in thirty-degree plus heat that accompanies the later months – and takes runners through the picturesque surrounds of Pafos. On the menu are ancient ruins, gorgeous vistas of the ocean and the chance to unwind with a beer afterwards.
Rome
When? 22 March, 2026
Forget London: why not run those 26 gruelling kilometres in the beautiful ancient city of Rome? Packed with gorgeous old buildings and with ancient monuments lurking around every corner, it surely boasts the highest number of sightseeing stops any marathon course can offer: St Peter’s Basilica, the Imperial Forum and the Colosseum among them. It’s also hard to argue with a venue that offers cheap, excellent pizza on pretty much every street corner: aka, the perfect post-race fuel.
Seville
When? 15 February, 2026
Preparations are already in full swing for next year’s Seville marathon, which is an understandably popular destination for Brits looking to take their running to the next level. The course bills itself as one of the best for those looking to achieve a PB due to it being extremely flat (the city is pretty much at sea level), while the city’s rich cultural heritage makes it an excellent place to do some exploring in your down-time.
Read our Gen Z guide to Seville here
New York
When? 2 November, 2025
Have you really completed marathon-running until you’ve done New York? The city welcomes runners from all over the world, making it one of the world’s largest marathon events. It’s also one that’s dense with landmarks: the course starts at Staten Island, and crosses five of New York’s boroughs, including Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. It’s basically the perfect opportunity to visit.
