Craving punishment? These are the world’s best running holidays to try if your idea of a good time involves screeching along scree or hopping down crevices instead of relaxing by the pool.
Words by James Booth for escape.com.au
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Running is having a moment. From run clubs taking over cities all over the world to trail running shoes taking over the feet of people who have never taken a sip out of a Camelbak in their lives, fitness is the new fashion. And what’s more on trend in 2025 than a run holiday?
Not much, apparently: a recent report by Skyscanner showed a 50 per cent increase in people planning a running holiday this year.
If you’d like to join the sweaty masses in this virtuous awakening, here are some of the best races in the world to put on your bucket list.
Sydney
Sydney is a low-key runner’s paradise. From road bashes to trail runs it has options galore. Here are some of the best of them.
City to Surf, 14km, August 10
From gym bros wearing budgie smugglers to charity runners wearing capes, the City to Surf is iconic. Starting off in the CBD near Hyde park, this run goes through Kings Cross, through a tunnel and then up what’s known as “heart break hill,” before zooming down to Bondi Beach. The party at the end is almost bigger than the run itself.
Sydney Marathon, 42.195km, August 31
Taking in Sydney’s most famous landmarks, including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera house, this is one of the world’s most iconic marathons.
Coastal Classic, 30km, September 6
In the Royal National Park just south of Sydney, this is the perfect event for someone getting into trail running. It features a few hills to get the lungs huffing but is mostly pretty flat compared to other trail races around the world (and other parts of Australia). It goes from Otford to Bundeena on a mix of fire trail, rocky outcrops, single trail, rolling grassy hills and sand.
Six Foot Track Marathon, 45km, March (usually)
This semi-prestigious race requires you have proof of running a road marathon in under 4:20 in the last 2-3 years in order to be eligible to enter. If you’ve got this, then you can give this classic trail run from Katoomba (The Blue Mountains) to Jenolan Caves a crack. The aid stations are manned by firefighters, and the proceeds of the event goes to the Blue Mountains Rural Fire Service Crew.
Mount Solitary Ultra, 45km, April (usually)
Even tougher to qualify than the Six Foot Track Marathon, to enter the Mount Solitary Ultra you need to have completed the Six Foot Track race in under 6 hours (or another equivalent event in certain times – check the full list of qualifying standards here). If you do, get ready for one of the most punishing 45km races in Australia. The Mount Solitary Ultra is a Blue Mountains classic that has everything that gets your heart pumping on a trail: tumbling technical downhills, leg destroying uphills, more stairs than your quads can bear thinking about, creek and river crossings, a bit of rock scrambling and stunning views.
Chamonix
Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, 171km, 29th August
The world’s most famous ultra trail race, UTMB is the pinnacle of a world series of qualifying events and calls itself “the ultimate reference in trail running.” With 10,000 metres of elevation gain it’s not for the faint of legs or lungs. If you are fit enough though, it gives you insane views over the mountains of Italy, Switzerland and France. Professional runners manage it in just under 20 hours and the cut off time for the rest of us is 46 hours 30 minutes.
Morocco
Marathon des Sables (MDS Legendary), 252km, April
This race has been around since 1986. It’s as brutal as it sounds, involving 11 days in Morocco, 9 of which are in the Sahara Desert, while you complete a 252km course, carrying all your own equipment (except for a tent and water).
New Zealand
Tarawera Ultra Trail, 100km, February
If you like blue lakes, ferns, redwood forest and thermal steam, this is the race for you. On the north island of NZ, near Auckland, this race also has 50km or 20km options for those of us who aren’t suckers for such punishment.
Scotland
Salomon Skyline Scotland, 100km, Saturday 20th December
Seven races take place in the Scottish Highlands over one epic day at this event, from 10km and half marathons and marathons up to 100km. The 100km event is what is termed “highly runnable” and starts with a midnight mass. It then uses established paths and trails to take you through glens, lochs, and mountain bealachs.
Loch Ness Marathon, 42.195km, September 28
If you want a taste of the moors while running your butt off, this is a great option. One of the most stunning marathons in the world it’s on many runners’ bucket lists thanks to its moody scenery and Highland views. It goes from the south eastern shores of Loch Ness and across the River Ness, finishing in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.
Iceland
Landmannalaugar, 55km, July
This beast of a trail is enough to make a viking cry. Located in the southern highlands of Iceland it connects Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork. It’s stunningly beautiful but the weather can be intense and unpredictable.
Madeira Island Ultra Trail, 118km, April
There are 118km, 86km, 56km, 40km and 16km versions of this race, which takes place on ‘the Hawaii of Europe’ – an island belonging to Portugal way out in the middle of the Atlantic. It’s a place where mountains lunge out of the clear blue sea, waterfalls whisper and where pathways are overgrown by trees.
Angkor Wat Half Marathon, 21km, December
The Angkor Wat half marathon is hot and humid – but worth every drop of sweat as you pass through the historic and archeological sites of the Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia. It’s usually held in December, while – if you want to double your distance – the full marathon is held in August. It began as a way to raise money for the victims of landmines in Cambodia and continues the tradition to this day.
Boston Marathon, 42.195km, April
One of the world’s most iconic races, this is a great run to do if you like to feel the energy of a lot of people nad have a lot of crowd support. It starts in Hopkinton and starts of going downhill. It then winds through several towns on the way to downtown Boston taking you over rolling hills like the Newton Hills and Heartbreak Hill.
This article first appeared at escape.com.au as World’s best running holidays to put on your bucket list