If you’re going to run hard for 26 miles, then at least do it somewhere pretty…
The grandstand city marathons of London, New York, Boston, Paris, Chicago and Berlin have swelled the popularity of endurance running during the last 30 years. Marathon tourism is now a big-buck industry with a worldwide circuit of smile-raising – and gut-busting – race venues to choose from.
Simply completing the distance used to be the goal. Now, runners are looking for exotic and taxing courses to conquer. It’s not the finishing line snap that sits on the mantelpiece, but trophy shots by Uluru, the Great Wall of China or a herd of passing elephant.
At these destination events, you can expect to forget about beating your personal best. Besides, it would be a crime to put your head down and run, without soaking in the spectacular views. But please keep one eye on the clock. On some of the wilder races, you certainly don’t want to be left behind...
Click through the gallery above to see our run-down of the world's most scenic marathons
