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Location: Knoxville Course: Several rolling hills with some flat sections Boston Qualifier: Yes Registration: Click here Why it’s a great race: The course takes runners through several of Knoxville’s most beautiful neighborhoods while they enjoy live music. The New York City Marathon is the biggest marathon in the world — and for good reason. They gave me 50 for my bib number, and a photographer wired a photograph of me back to my hometown. Why Run It: This 7-mile course is nearly completely seaside, beginning in Woods Hole with the first three miles on narrow, hilly, winding and tree-shaded roads. Which one of these are you running in?
 
 

The 20 Best Marathons in the US | Bucket List Races in the USA.

You might also want to let your family join in on the other events, such as the family run and the 5K run. It goes slightly uphill for 14 miles, then flat and fast until the last quarter mile, where it goes uphill, making your crossing of the finish line all the more victorious. The view is spectacular, though. Wilderness, greenery, and water views will certainly inspire you to keep running.

Make it a weekend in Anchorage so you have time to explore the city and go such places as the Denali National Park. Does your bucket list include running a marathon and taking in the views of the Pacific Ocean?

The Big Sur International Marathon allows you to do both. It is considered one of the best marathons in the US and a favorite of runners everywhere because of its course: right along the Northern California coastline on the Pacific Coast Highway, hugging a cliffside and overlooking the Pacific Coast Highway to the west.

But along the course, there will be entertainers to help uplift your spirits: Taiko drummers at the foot of Hurricane Point, a Yamaha grand piano with a pianist, of course at Bixby Bridge, and an eclectic mix of music provided by local musical groups throughout the course and especially at the finish line.

After the race and the post-race festivities at Carmel, you can continue north or south along the Pacific Coast Highway via road trip. The Honolulu Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the US, with more than 33, entrants of which there are 19, finishers in The combination of perfect December weather, no limit to the number of entrants, and no time limit makes this event appeal to everyone from power walkers to first-timers to the best runners in the world. Spectators number in the thousands, especially along the final stretch toward Kapiolani Park, where a laid-back post-race celebration awaits with tons of food.

Another distinct quality of the Honolulu Marathon is its popularity with runners from Japan, probably because there are very few marathons in Japan that are open to everyone. Then, you cross the Peace Bridge, giving you an amazing view of the Niagara River. The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon is a highly popular marathon known as one long party from gun start to the finish line.

Its course offers great urban views of the neighborhoods of Cincinnati, Covington, Newport, Mariemont, Fairfax, and Columbia Township, with a few miles of hilly terrain at the start of the course and the last 4 miles of the fourth leg follows the Ohio River Scenic Byway along the Ohio River.

Runners love the Flying Pig Marathon because it is highly organized, and volunteers and spectators are probably the most enthusiastic, supportive crowds in any US marathon. The Pikes Peak Marathon is a trail running competition that starts in Manitou Springs, then makes its way to the Barr Trail in Pike National Forest, where the majority of the race is run.

It then goes all the way up through the 16 Golden Stairs up to the Pikes Peak summit, and then back down to where it started in Manitou Springs. The high altitude and degree of elevation change, the unpredictable weather, and the gravel, rock, rubble, and other natural obstacles combine to create a physically demanding course, making it harder to qualify. Out of the thousands of races and marathons organized in the US per year, these 10 are special in their own way.

More information on the Run Crazy Horse Marathon. Best For : big city runners, southern charm and high energy, southern architecture appreciators, jazz culturists. Run through some of the most iconic areas of New Orleans, like the French Quarter and Garden District, as well as passing by some iconic sights like the Mississippi River! This course is full of energy and enthusiasm, due to its accompanying Mardi Gras season, and really embraces the character of the south, and specifically, the unique personality of New Orleans!

Afterwards, there is a never ending spread of distinctive things to do, from sampling Cajun cuisine, to touring the WWII Museum, to taking in a jazz show, to strolling some of the best architecture in the South. Surrounding Attractions : downtown Nashville and country music establishments. Best For : country music junkies, big city runners, high energy and southern charm. This marathon is full of live country music, running the friendly streets of Nashville in high energy fashion!

Afterwards, soak up more of the southern attitude with a multitude of southern restaurants and live music bars. More information on the Rock and Roll Nashville Marathon.

Surrounding Attractions : hiking, rafting, downtown Missoula. Best For : rural outdoor runners, wide open spaces, backcountry enthusiasts, small towners. Stunning rural scenery that highlights the best of Montana, on a mostly flat course filled with friendly spectators.

Just like the logo says, if you want to run wild, this is the place! And this marathon is also a Boston qualifier. More information on the Missoula Marathon. Live music and friendly local spectators line this course adding to the charming character of this race. This is also another Boston Qualifier marathon. More information on the Route 66 Marathon. Surrounding Attractions : beaches, downtown Newport. Best For : beach lovers, historical neighborhood runners, seaside towns. This race sums up the best of coastal New England vibes, on a course that traces along sunny beaches, historical homes, serene state parks, and historical buildings with roots in the Revolutionary era.

This multi-faceted race gives runners a glimpse of everything that makes the New England region quintessential. And just as an added bonus, the finish line is seaside, so you can relax with your hard working toes in the sand after your run!

More information on the Amica Newport Marathon. Best For : beach and jungle enthusiasts, resort life, warm weather runners.

This marathon courses through stunning Hawaiian coastlines, with accompanying jungle and volcanic peak views. Best For : nightlife, high energy, and nighttime runners. This marathon is unique, in that it takes place at night on the Las Vegas Strip, which is arguably the best time to witness the lights and energy of this environment.

This marathon actually closes down the Strip, so you have this iconic course all to yourself, with your fellow runners of course, without the cars and traffic. This course is energized from start to finish, true to Las Vegas style! Best For : western heritage, big city vibes and high energy. Run through historic downtown Fort Worth and experience its western roots at the Stockyards, and historic neighborhoods and homes!

This course is a beloved tradition with Texas runners, and is heralded as one of the top races in the state of Texas , as well as across the country! It is big on spectator energy and runner morale, for those that appreciate the high energy races! More information on the Cowtown Marathon. Best For : iconic landmarks, hilly courses, ocean views, high energy courses and big city appreciators. This course takes full advantage of one of the most iconic landmarks in the country, the Golden Gate Bridge, and its surrounding city and ocean-scapes provide a stunning, one of a kind background and racing experience.

More information on the San Francisco Marathon. Surrounding Attractions : California oceanside and beaches, coastal towns. Run along historic Highway 1 on the edge of California, with miles and miles of epic coastline views!

It is also a Boston qualifier! More information on the Big Sur Marathon. Best For : Disney fanatics, whimsical courses, high spectator energy and involvement. Imagine running alongside scores of costumed spectators and fellow runners alike, in a race that appreciates all things Disney!

There are few events with more childlike fun and imagination that participating in a Disney marathon! More information on the Walt Disney World Marathon. This race has been around for over 30 years, and is cherished as an iconic California race! Loads of the distinct California sun, ocean views, and miles of coastline! This course also provides a good dose of spectator energy in the town of Carlsbad.

More information on the Carlsbad Marathon. Surrounding Attractions : historical landmarks, buildings, and architecture, Boston Harbor, sporting venues and events, downtown Boston. Best For : history junkies, iconic courses, bucketlist runners, qualifiers. It is the oldest annual marathon event in the world, and draws runners from all over the world for an epic experience of runner morale!

The course winds through the historic areas of Boston, and passes by iconic establishments like Boston College as it winds towards the harbor. More information on the Boston Marathon. Surrounding Attractions : Lake Michigan, downtown Chicago, museums, restaurants, sporting venues.

Best For : big city runners, high energy, historic landmarks and architecture, harbor views and cityscapes. Big city energy, lots of visual stimulation, and amazing scenery of both the surrounding lakeshore and Chicago landmarks! This is a flat and fast course that starts and finishes in beautiful Grants Park, and passes through a multitude of Chicago neighborhoods, each filled to the brim with enthusiastic and supportive spectators!

More information on the Chicago Marathon. Best For : big city runners, high energy, history buffs, iconic landmark appreciators. Some of the best city parks in the world reside here in NYC also! There is a lot to appreciate here both on the course and off. This classic marathon draws scores of runners from across the globe, making this an event full of comraderie! More information on the New York City Marathon. Surrounding Attractions : Mountain towns, hiking, mountaineering, outdoor opportunities, Manitou Falls, Colorado Springs.

Best For : backcountry and outdoor appreciators, uphill trail runners, high elevation runners. Get ready for some rugged trail running on Barr Trail, and exhilarating uphills climbs, with some awesome rewarding views of Pike National Forest! Uphill and high elevation training go far on this race, if you can make that happen!

When you are finished with this grueling feat, explore charming Manitou Falls, the mountain town that hosts this event. Surrounding Attractions : hiking and outdoor opportunities, National Forest. Best For : rural runners, backcountry and outdoor appreciators. Held in the far northwestern sliver of Idaho, this race gets runners away from it all, and provides an opportunity to run in a rugged setting that will get you back at one with nature at its finest.

Stunning backcountry views of rugged Idaho, with a majority lake views along the course, and plenty of outdoor opportunities and small town charm to take part in when the race is done! Best For : outdoor appreciators, scenic view runners, small town charmers.

This marathon takes advantage of a great rural setting, surrounded by stellar outdoor sights. The course is fast and flat, and winds through charming and quaint historic neighborhoods in Fargo. The course is also filled with live music, bands, and plenty of energy, making this a fun and energetic environment set in the heart of North Dakota.

More information on the Fargo Marathon. Surrounding Attractions : historical buildings and landmarks, downtown Philadelphia, museums. Mint, City Hall, and Main Street. More information on the Philadelphia Marathon. Surrounding Attractions : Washington D.

This race is organized by the men and women of the United States Marine Corps, and serves to honor those who have sacrificed their service. This course will take you past some of the most recognizable and significant historical monuments in the country.