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After running 16 half marathons and two marathons across Europe, I decided to create the one list that I wish existed when I started running. A list of the best bucket list races in Europe. These races aren’t just about running, they all have something extra that makes them a truly unique experience. Whether it’s the views, the competitors, the terrain, or the fuel, every race on this list will have your running club jealous of the experience.
Before I get into this list, I will add one word of caution. Most of these bucket list races will require extra planning, medical certificates, or new gear that a normal race won’t require. But in the grand scheme, those items will be worth it for the experience.
The following races have been somewhat organized by a ratio that I refer to as “running to not”. While all of the bucket list European races are running based, the further down the list you get, the less the running portion matters and the more it becomes about the experience.
If you’re looking for someone to plan a vacation around European race for you, look no further. I offer trip consultations, tailored travel itineraries, and end-to-end trip planning. I even support running clubs traveling in large groups.
Paris Marathon
This one might be on the “normal” side compared to other races on this list, but it’s still an absolutely amazing marathon to tackle. Lots of major cities in Europe will offer a marathon that is run mostly outside of the city, they don’t want to deal with the traffic nightmare that comes with closing off their most popular streets for runners.
Paris is not one of those cities. Starting and ending by the Arc de Triomphe, runners get to pass the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, the Opera House and several other famous landmarks and streets. Is the entire race in the heart of the city? No. 26.2 miles does require a journey into two different parks. But one of those parks has a literal castle, so the views stay at a high level.
In addition, this is a great course for first time marathoners. It’s not perfectly flat, but it’s pretty flat and the views help to distract from the pain. It’s also one of the largest races in the world, and the largest non-Major. I ran this marathon in 2024, and you can see my review here.
When is it: April 13th, 2025
Rome Marathon
Similar to Paris, this race makes the list because of the truly glorious views you will get while running. Starting and finishing at the Coliseum, the loop takes runners past many of Rome’s most famous landmarks, including a castle, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Spanish Steps, and more.
The route is also very flat, meaning it is perfect to try for a new PR. There are almost four miles of cobblestones that you should be aware of though. This bucket list race is also perfect for runners looking to tackle a more mid-sized marathon. At only 10k runners, it is much smaller than the 50k+ of Paris, London, Berlin, and some of the other major European marathons.
When is it: March 16th, 2025
London Marathon and Berlin Marathon
How could I talk about bucket list races in Europe, without mentioning the two European marathons that sit on most runners’ bucket lists. The European portion of the World Majors. These two marathons are part of the seven marathons around the world that runners must complete to get the World Majors medal.
London has some of the biggest crowds in Europe, and is also one of the hardest races to get into in the world. I don’t say that lightly, they run a lottery for entrance, and this year almost a million people entered for the 50k bibs. The scenery on the course is not as beautiful as Paris or Rome, but you will get to pass some of the famous London sights in the last few miles. I just hope you are able to appreciate them that close to the finish line.
Berlin also has large crowds, and is incredibly scenic to race, but like London it is a struggle to get in. While not as many people tried for the Lottery compared to London, that number will most likely continue to increase each year while the number of runners stays roughly the same.
London Marathon Date: April 27th, 2025
Berlin Marathon Date: September 21st, 2025
Great North Run
If we want to talk about big races for your bucket list, we need to scale the distance down to a half marathon. The largest half marathon in the world is the Great North Run, with over 60k runners. The race starts in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and goes out to the water in South Shields. Despite being in England, the cheapest flight option will most likely be traveling into Edinburgh, Scotland and taking a 90 minute train ride to the start. The race is very hilly, but the atmosphere is amazing, with the entire community out to support the runners.
In addition, some years runners will also be treated to aerobatic performances by the Red Arrows, the Royal Air Force’s version of the US Navy’s Blue Angels. However, this is not a guarantee that they will be flying in the 2025 version.
When is it: September 7th, 2025
Athens Marathon
This is the original Marathon, kind of. The marathon was born in Athens during the first Modern Olympics in 1896. It was created as an ode to Pheidippides, the runner who famously ran from Athens to Sparta and back before dying.
His sacrifice allowed the Greeks to defend the city of Marathon, by bringing in support from the Spartans. But if you don’t mind a quick history lesson, he did not actually run to the city of Marathon. He covered almost 300 miles between Sparta to Athens and back. But when he reached Athens and was able to pass the message along of when to expect the Spartans, he died. A different runner covered the almost 25 miles from Athens to Marathon. So next time someone tells you that the first marathon runner died at the finish, tell them they’re wrong. He died after running over 10x further than a marathon.
The modern Athens Marathon still includes some amazing history, finishing the run at the Panathenaic Stadium, an ancient U-shaped arena that was used for Track and Field in the first modern Olympics in 1896.
When is it: November 2025
Corrida das Foguieras
If you’re looking for an amazing race that embodies the heart and soul of the community, this is your option. The Corrida das Fogueiras, or the Bonfire Race, takes place in the city of Peniche, about 90 minutes north of Lisbon. The 15km race, just over nine miles, is a night race through a small oceanside community. The race starts and finishes downtown and the entire community is out to support. There will be people of all ages, bands, and grandparents banging wooden spoons on their pots and pans. It’s a party.
Get your own custom itinerary for the Corridas das Foguieras.
Then you make your way out to the water and discover what the race is really about. The crowds start to die out, but the bonfires pick up. There are constant bonfires being tended to by local Scouts throughout this section of the race. The bonfires appear every hundred feet or so, and when you’re passing one you can typically already see the next one.
Eventually, the bonfires stop as you head back into town where the crowds are still waiting for you. After the race you will also be able to walk over and pick up some sardines. The sardines are uncooked, but they have tons of grills set up for runners to cook them.
To get to Peniche, I would recommend renting a car, or taking the bus from Lisbon. I would also recommend having a hotel for the night after the race as you will be finishing very late.
When is it: June 2025
Midnight Sun and Polar Night Marathons
I have two complete opposite races listed here, because they share the same course and organizers. Way above the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway runners have the chance to experience two bucket list races. One in January, and one in June.
The Midnight Sun Marathon, or half, takes place during the period known as Midnight Sun. From May to July, the sun will never cross the horizon in Tromsø. This creates an amazing experience of endless daytime. The race offers runners the chance to run in broad daylight in the middle of the night. I ran this race in 2023, and you can find my review here.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have the Polar Night Marathon, or half. This Marathon takes place during the six-weeks of endless darkness that Tromsø has in winter. The sun will set at the end of November, and not rise again until mid-January. This also allows the opportunity for runners to race under the Northern Lights. However, nature is fickle and you have no guarantee of seeing the lights while you race. In fact, the last few years races have had cloud coverage. That said, traveling this far north in January means you will probably see them at some point during your stay.
This race is very cold, despite starting at 1PM. It’s so cold, that if you are interested in the marathon, you must have run a sub-four hour marathon before. The half marathon does not require any speed proof, but they will pull you off the course after the time limit has passed. This race does not allow runners the chance to finish the race with re-opened roads.
The shared course of the two races has some small and rolling hills, but is mostly flat. In addition, you are running on pavement the entire time. No cobblestones here.
A running experience built just for you.
Midnight Sun Date: June 21st, 2025
Polar Night Date: January 4th, 2025
Spitsbergen Marathon
Another bucket list race in Norway, this one takes the claim as the Northernmost Marathon in the World. It is also the only marathon with armed guards to protect against Polar Bears. With a June race date, the half or full marathon will also allow runners the chance to experience the Midnight Sun during their trip, but the race itself is not in the middle of the night.
Located on the island of Svalbard, the last land mass before the North Pole, bucket list race takes runners across gravel and pavement. If you opt to do the full, just know it is two laps of the half.
When is it: June 14th, 2025
Man vs Horse
This bucket list European race is exactly what the name suggests. Runners square off against horses to see who can complete the (almost) marathon distance the fastest.
Despite being less than a full marathon, this is still a very challenging trail race with a wide variety of terrain and lots of hills. The race is also very small, with under 600 runners and less than 100 horses.
The race takes place each year in rural Wales, and was started after a pub owner heard two men arguing over which is faster over a long distance – a man or a horse. And the first event was born! Humans have only won three times, but maybe you could be the fourth?
Scotland, New Zealand, and Arizona also have their own Man vs Horse races.
When is it: June 2025
Wine Marathons
If you actually don’t want to run at all and would rather have a drink with friends, this is your bucket list European race. Wine Marathons are popular throughout France and Europe with a race for every wine preference. But at their heart, they are all very similar. Wear a fun costume, drink wine, meet new people, have fun. The time doesn’t matter, just the vibes.
That being said, if you go for a full marathon, I would recommend having the ability to run a sober marathon in under five hours. Because roads will need to reopen, these races do have time limits. Marathon du Medoc asks everyone to finish in six and a half hours, and the Beaujolais International Marathon has a time limit of seven hours. These limits aren’t strictly enforced, but if you fall too far behind they will cut you off.
I’m not linking any single race here, because there are so many options for runners to pick from. There are over two dozen wine races across Europe, plus a Beer Marathon in Belgium, a Cognac race in France, and a Ciderthon in the UK.
If you are sober, there is also the Epicurienne Trail run in France that focuses on gourmet options at each fueling station.
Sea-Ice Marathon
In some ways, this bucket list race doesn’t have horses and it doesn’t have booze, and it almost seems normal. But then you find out what you’re running on. This race takes place entirely on a frozen bay. Taking place in Sweden in February, every single step of this half or full marathon is on ice. The race asks that every runner wear shoes with spikes attached, or trail running shoes with crampons.
This does mean that it might just be the flattest race in the world. I mean, water tends to be flat when frozen. But I wouldn’t suggest going for a PR unless you are very confident in your ability to be fast without falling.
When is it: February 16th, 2025
I hope this list of bucket list races in Europe has been helpful! If you’re looking to take on one of these runs, I can help! As a travel agent for runners, I create dream vacations for people traveling to Europe for races. I can hop on a call to help you finalize details, create an itinerary just for you, or help with the entire planning and booking process.
If you are a woman looking to take on any of these races yourself, and are looking for a travel buddy to do it with, I have a group that can help. The Jet-Setting Runners | An International Women’s Running Community works to help women travel and run safely and with other people.
