Late April in London can only mean one thing: marathon season has arrived. In the lead-up to the London Marathon, the city fills with runners who look equal parts determined and utterly defeated – pounding pavements through Central London with the hollow-eyed focus of someone clinging to life, gripping a water bottle like it’s the only thing keeping them upright. Training, as it turns out, is not a glamorous affair. It’s early mornings, aching legs, and a level of exhaustion that borders on existential.
And yet, come race day, it all transforms. The crowds, the atmosphere, the sheer scale of it – suddenly the struggle looks almost heroic. It’s the kind of event that makes even the casual runner think: could I do that? If you were one of the many unlucky enough to miss out on a ballot place this year, the good news is you’re far from out of options. There’s a whole calendar of marathons across Europe and beyond still open – and if anything, booking one later in the year gives you the advantage of spring and summer training (arguably the easiest kind). So if you’re feeling tempted, here are some of the best marathons still available to sign up for now.
The best marathons to book in 2026
1. Midnight Sun Marathon (Tromsø, Norway)
The Midnight Sun Marathon takes place in Tromsø on the 20th of June and is one of the most unusual races on the global calendar, held entirely under continuous daylight thanks to its location above the Arctic Circle, where the sun doesn’t set in summer. The race begins in the evening, with runners moving through the city and across the Tromsø Bridge well past what would normally be nightfall, yet in full, bright light – a surreal experience that can feel disorienting as much as it is exhilarating. The course itself is a road route that weaves through coastal scenery with mountain backdrops and gentle undulations .While it’s not typically the race people choose for a personal best, it’s widely considered a bucket-list marathon for the sheer novelty of running at midnight in broad daylight.
2. Cologne Marathon (Germany)
The Cologne Marathon on the 4th of October strikes a rare balance: big enough to feel like a proper city event, but without the congestion that slows you down in larger races. The route through Cologne mixes central landmarks with long stretches through residential neighbourhoods, where the crowd support is relentless – less tourist spectacle, more locals turning out in force, which is exactly what you need once the race starts to bite. It’s a flat, genuinely runnable course, making it a strong option for both first-timers and anyone chasing a time. There’s no ballot — just direct entry — but places are capped, so while it’s more accessible than the majors, it’s still one you don’t want to leave too late.
3. Sofia Marathon (Bulgaria)
The Sofia Marathon takes place on the 11th of October and is built around a two-loop course starting and finishing at Prince Alexander I Square, which means you’re effectively running the same ~21 km circuit twice – something to know going in, because mentally it can either help you pace or completely mess with your head. The route sticks to wide, runnable boulevards rather than tight old-town streets, passing landmarks like Lion’s Bridge, St Nedelya Cathedral and Sofia University before looping back through the city centre. It’s not the most visually dramatic marathon in Europe, but it is practical: relatively flat, not overcrowded, and – crucially – still easy to enter. If you care more about getting a solid, no-fuss marathon under your belt than chasing postcard views, this is exactly that.
4. Budapest Marathon (Hungary)
The SPAR Budapest Marathon is one of Hungary’s biggest running events, taking place over the weekend of 10th to 11th of October, with the full marathon typically starting on the Sunday. It’s built around one of the more scenic big-city courses in Europe, following long stretches of the Danube and crossing several bridges between Buda and Pest. The route starts near Pázmány Péter Promenade and runs past major landmarks including the Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle, but what really defines it is the layout: wide, open roads, multiple river crossings, and enough space to settle into a rhythm without constant congestion. It’s largely flat with a few gentle inclines on the bridges, so while it’s not a pure PB course, it’s very runnable.
5. Munich Marathon (Germany)
The Marathon München by Brooks returns on the 11th of October, usually held about a week after Oktoberfest, and offers a well-structured city course that starts in the Olympic Park and finishes inside the Olympic Stadium – one of the more memorable finishes on the European circuit. The route through Munich takes in a mix of green space and city streets, including stretches through the Englischer Garten and central areas like Marienplatz, but it’s not wall-to-wall landmarks – expect longer, quieter sections where you can actually lock into a pace. The course is largely flat with a few gentle undulations, making it solid for PB attempts.
6. Verona Marathon (Italy)
The Verona Marathon is scheduled for the 15th of November, and is a smaller, no-frills race that trades big crowds for a more controlled, manageable experience, with a course that moves through Verona’s historic centre before stretching out along flatter, more open roads by the Adige River. You’ll pass key landmarks early on – including the Arena – but much of the race is about settling into long, uninterrupted sections where you can actually run your pace without weaving through crowds. The profile is mostly flat with a few gentle changes, making it suitable for a first marathon or a steady run rather than a high-energy, crowd-carried effort. It’s also one of the easier Italian marathons to enter, with direct registration and fewer barriers than bigger races like Rome or Milan.
7. Florence Marathon (Italy)
The Florence Marathon returns on the 29th of November, and is one of Italy’s more iconic late-season races, starting early in the morning and taking runners through Florence’s historic centre before opening out into longer stretches beyond the core landmarks. The route passes major sights like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, but it’s not just a sightseeing tour – sections of cobblestones and narrower streets early on give way to wider, more runnable roads where you can settle into a rhythm. It’s a relatively flat course overall, though the surface variation and occasional turns can make pacing slightly more technical than a typical city marathon.
Entry is a bit more structured than in many European races: you’ll usually need a race licence or membership through an athletics federation (or equivalent documentation), which can add a step to registration, but the race remains more accessible than the largest ballot-based events.
8. Philadelphia Marathon (USA)
We know this one is obviously not in Europe – but for those that really want something different, the Philadelphia Marathon is one of the more runner-friendly major marathons in the United States, set against the backdrop of Philadelphia’s historic streets and park-lined roads. It’s scheduled for the 22th of November, and the course is widely regarded as fast and relatively flat, with long, straight sections along the Schuylkill River and through Fairmount Park that make it well suited to pacing and personal best attempts. It’s also known for strong organisation and crowd support without the intensity or entry barriers of the biggest U.S. marathons like New York or Boston. Registration is handled directly through the official race site and typically opens well in advance, with spots available until capacity is reached – though popular events like this can still fill, so early entry is advisable.
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