Philippides, the Greek messenger, could never have imagined that his mission during the battle of Marathon some 2500 years ago when he arrived in Athens exhausted to announce the Greek’s victory over the fearsome Persian army would today have so many followers. Almost all the major cities in the world now have a marathon, but here we’re going to focus on the upcoming editions in the major European capitals.
Let’s start with the Berlin marathon on September 24th of this year. It’s a race with a reputation for being the best of its kind, and this is far from a catchphrase considering the ten best marathon times have been set in Berlin. The race forms part of the World Marathon Majors, and is frequently accompanied by mild autumn temperatures of about 15º C. Official Information: http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/
Of course, we have to give special mention to the marathon in Athens, the founding city of this spectacular race that takes place on November 12th, 2017. It boasts the perfect climate with temperatures usually around 15º C, where runners witness the great symbols of classical history like the Temple of Athena Nike and the famous Parthenon as they sweat it out to complete the race. Official Website: http://www.athensmarathon.com/
The marathon in Barcelona is one of the liveliest in Europe. If you decide to take part in this race, you’ll run past iconic tourist spots like Sagrada Familia and the Olympic Port. Temperatures are optimal for completing the race in good times as it’s usually about 12º C. The next race takes place on March 11th, 2018. All the information: http://www.zurichmaratobarcelona.es/
We can’t overlook the marathon in Paris, which holds its 42nd edition on April 8th, 2018. Springtime in the city of love is the ideal time of year to run this race that starts from the legendary Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Official Website: http://www.schneiderelectricparismarathon.com/us/
However, you’ll have to choose between Paris or Rome as the Italian race takes place on the same day next year. The temperatures are often about 12º C here, and you get the chance to run through the most emblematic historic quarter in the world. Official Website: http://www.maratonadiroma.it/
And naturally enough, we couldn’t leave out the London marathon that takes place on April 22nd, 2018. As with the other races we’ve mentioned, conditions for this one are far from easy. It’s set over a largely flat course around the River Thames but you’ll need lady luck on your side as rain is almost guaranteed, and temperatures are usually below 10º C. All the official information: https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/
