2026 Marathon Calendar: The Biggest Races You Don't Want to Miss

Whether you're chasing a PR, collecting World Marathon Major stars, or just looking for an unforgettable race experience, 2026 has an incredible lineup. Here's what's on the calendar.

The Abbott World Marathon Majors

These six races are the pinnacle of marathon running. Finishing all six earns you a Six Star Medal — one of the most coveted achievements in distance running.

• Tokyo Marathon — March 1, 2026
• Boston Marathon — April 20, 2026
• London Marathon — April 26, 2026
• Berlin Marathon — September 27, 2026
• Chicago Marathon — October 11, 2026
• New York City Marathon — November 1, 2026

Each Major has its own personality. Tokyo is precise and orderly. Boston is all about the crowd energy on Heartbreak Hill. Berlin is flat and fast — the course where most world records fall. New York is the most diverse field in the world, and the five-borough tour is unforgettable.

Fast courses for PR chasers

If your goal is a personal best, these courses are known for being fast and flat:

• Berlin Marathon — The world's fastest marathon course. Flat, wide roads, perfect fall weather.
• Chicago Marathon — Another flat, fast course with massive crowd support.
• Houston Marathon — January 18, 2026. A fast winter race and a great early-season target.

Destination races worth traveling for

Some races are as much about the experience as the finish time:

• Comrades Marathon (Durban, South Africa) — June 14, 2026. The world's oldest and largest ultramarathon. Approximately 87 km of rolling hills between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
• Marathon des Sables (Sahara Desert, Morocco) — April 2026. Six days, 250 km across the Sahara. The toughest foot race on Earth.
• Midnight Sun Marathon (Tromsø, Norway) — June 2026. Run under the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle.

NYRR and NYC races

New York Road Runners puts on dozens of races throughout the year. Key 2026 dates:

• NYC Half Marathon — March 15, 2026
• Brooklyn Half Marathon — May 16, 2026
• NYC Marathon — November 1, 2026

Half marathons for every level

Not ready for a full marathon? These halfs are world-class:

• Brooklyn Half — One of the largest half marathons in the US. Finishes on the Coney Island boardwalk.
• NYC Half — A tour through Manhattan from Central Park to the Financial District.
• Big Sur Half Marathon — Stunning Pacific Coast Highway views.

How to plan your year

The best approach is to pick one goal race and build your calendar around it. Use shorter races as tune-ups, and give yourself at least 16 weeks of dedicated training before your target marathon.

Explore the full 2026 race calendar on Runrora — filter by distance, location, and date to find your perfect race.

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