If you're the athletic sort, setting your sights on a destination marathon can be the perfect motivation to train hard while seeing spectacular sights. Whether you're a seasoned marathon runner or a first-timer, these races are sure to get you fired up, while offering stunning views and plenty to do in your off time:
The Napa Valley Marathon winds through the picturesque hills and valleys of California wine country. This idyllic race is smaller than most, with organizers capping the number of entrants at 2,300, which allows for a more relaxed setting to take in the breathtaking scenery without the jostling elbows and neck breathers of crowded races. For a serene escape from city streets, this race is unbeatable.
The Paris Marathon allows you to take in the legendary splendor of the City of Lights by passing many of its most beautiful and renowned attractions, including the romantic banks of the Seine River, the iconic Eiffel Tower, towering Notre Dame Cathedral and the world-famous shopping district of the Champs-Elysees. In the spirit of French culture, volunteers dole out red wine and cheese to runners by the Eiffel Tower, more than halfway into the race.
The Great Wall Marathon in China promises to be an epic race that not only guarantees you bragging rights for climbing the magnificent centuries-old Great Wall -- not once, but twice -- but also will give you stunning views of the Chinese countryside and a killer stair workout. The course winds through quaint villages and rice fields as well, and nearby Beijing is brimming with after-race attractions.
The Big Five Marathon in South Africa delivers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to run in the South African savannah in the company of antelope, giraffes, zebras and other wildlife in a pristine game reserve. Experience the thrill of a safari with the challenge of your 26.2-mile run that winds through hills, valleys and even lion territory!
Go back to the marathon's roots at the Athens Classic Marathon in Athens, Greece. History buffs can revel in the significance of running the 2,500-plus year race which begins in the town of Marathon. The course includes plenty of inclines, as runners ascend up to Athens from the Aegean Sea. Take in the breathtaking views of legendary landmarks and architecture along the route, and finish to the tune of roaring crowds in Panathinaiko Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896.
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