11 of the Coolest Marathon Courses Around the Globe, From the Great Wall of China to Highway 1

Date: June 27, 2026
Registration: Open now
Distances included: Full marathon, half-marathon, 10.55k

What to know: Designed for adventure-seekers, this Northern Iceland race explores one of Earth’s geological hot spots—you’ll run along the rim of two volcanic craters and over black lava rock, with steaming geysers taking your mind off the miles ahead.

Unless you’re an Icelandic resident, you’ll need to book the six-day tour package, which is around $3,200 and includes accommodation, transportation, meals, a celebratory post-race dinner, and some activities, with add-ons like whale-watching and waterfall chasing available too. Of note, race entrance is not included in that fee ($345 for the half and full, and $200 for the quarter marathon).

Where to stay: Our resident Iceland expert and contributing writer Erika Owen highly recommends one of the tour lodging options, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, saying that it “embodies the best of Iceland: seclusion, surrounding nature, and beds topped with Icelandic wool blankets.” On your way out of town, consider a stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon; beyond the must-dip-in thermal baths, the tasting menu at Michelin-starred Moss is well worth a splurge.

Date: July 26, 2026
Registration: Open now
Distances included: Half-marathon, 5K

What to know: A 13.1-mile route through Napa and Sonoma’s wine country, this course is surrounded by farms, vineyards, and ranches—yes, there are gently rolling hills, but it’s not an overly challenging course. The real prize for the 3,000-ish participants is at the finish line: At the post-race wine festival, top local vineyards reward you with wine tastings, and your goodie bag includes a commemorative wine glass.

Where to stay: Several hotels partner with the race to offer discounted stays, including the Westin Verasa Napa Hotel, notable for its Hyperice Recover & Recharge Kit available at the front desk. (Heads up for other future runs: Hyperice and Normatec products can be found at most Westins across the US! I swear by the Normatecs and Hypervolt for post-race recovery.) Just across the street from the starting line sits Carneros Resort and Spa, a seven-time Readers’ Choice Award winner; down the street is Stanly Ranch, an Auberge resort with a gorgeous outdoor pool that’s exactly where I’d want to park myself post-race.

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