• Honda LA
  Marathon
  18 March 2012

Seeking to capitalise on the exhilaration induced by the 1984 Olympics, Los Angeles launched “Stadium to the Sea”. You’ll loop around the oldest and newest parts of this rapidly growing cityscape as you catch glimpses of the celebrated Hollywood sign.

You can mentally check off your sight-seeing list while racing past the Walk of Fame, Chinatown, the Grauman’s Chinese Threatre, and Beverly Hills.

Running along historic Route 66 into gorgeous, sunny Santa Monica, you’ll finish the marathon with views of the Pacific Ocean as you collapse onto the soft sand and marvel at what you just accomplished for an amazing cause.

Take me to LA

Established: 1986

Number of runners: 35,000

Start: Dodger Stadium

End: Santa Monica

Average temperature: 16 C

Fun fact: The LA marathon has an incredible net elevation drop of 140 metres.

• Marathon de
  Paris
  15 April 2012

People escape to Paris to indulge in art, food, fashion, and, for the truly passionate among you, marathons for charity.

You’ll start from the Champs Elysees going downhill as smells of fresh bread intoxicate your senses. Past the Louvre, you pour into the heart of Paris propelled ahead by promises of wine and cheese at the 35 km mark.

Now you’ll move along the Seine under a series of tunnels before emerging at the Eiffel Tower, triumphant and ready to celebrate the night away.

Take me to Paris

Established: 1976

Number of runners: 37,500

Start: Champs Elysees

End: Avenue Foch

Average temperature: 10 C

Fun fact: Runners receive red wine and cheese across from the Eiffel Tower at the 35 km mark.

• Virgin London
  Marathon
  22 April 2012

Imagine your heart thumping as the start gun fires and you take off along the River Thames, catching glimpses of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre before reaching the halfway mark at the commanding Tower Bridge. 

Now you’re moving east towards Canary Wharf, past St. Paul’s Cathedral, and into the final leg of the race. As the London Eye comes into view, you see sights of Big Ben and Westminster in the distance. 

Minutes later you pass the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace with an enormous, proud smile.

Take me to London

Established: 1981

Number of runners: 37,500

Start: Blackheath

End: Buckingham Palace

Average temperature: 10 C

Fun fact: Holds the Guinness World Record for the largest annual fundraising event, raising £76 million for charity this year.

• Beijing International
  Marathon
  October 2012

Allow yourself to get swept away by the magnetic energy of the Beijing Marathon.

You’ll race off from famous Tiananmen Square before pounding towards the enchanting Temple of Heaven.

You turn west to the lake district and pass ancient universities and grand international embassies before finishing at the National Olympic Sports Centre – The Bird’s Nest Arena – wearing a big smile weighted with exhilaration, relief, and pride.

Take me to Beijing

Established: 1981

Number of runners: 30,000

Start: Tiananmen Square

End: National Olympic Sports Centre

Average temperature: 15 C

Fun fact: The Beijing Marathon follows the same route as the Beijing Olympics Marathon in 2008.

• National Lottery
  Dublin Marathon
  29 October 2012

The Dublin Marathon falls on a public holiday in Ireland, bringing thousands of spectators to the street to cheer you on as you lap the city centre.

Known as “The Friendly Marathon”, running Dublin takes you through the historic Georgian streets populated by pubs and laughter.

You’ll pass the finish line proud at what you’ve accomplished in support of an incredible charity, and ready to join your fellow marathoners for a pint of Guinness at a bustling tavern.

Take me to Dublin

Established: 1980

Number of runners: 15,500

Start: Fitzwilliam Square

End: Merrion Square

Average temperature: 13 C

Fun fact: The Dublin Marathon is known as “The Friendly Marathon” because thousands of spectators flock to the street to cheer on runners.