• By Sam Parton
• In Blog
• Apr 9, 2014

Where To Run A Marathon - A Quick Guide to the World's Best Marathons

Planning a Marathon Trip

Thinking of running one of the world?s most famous marathons? Or taking it easy and just going along to watch? Here?s a short guide courtesy of Holiday Lettings with costs, links to accommodation and how to get involved.

London Marathon

In its 33rd year, the London Marathon is a highlight in the British sporting year. Around 36,000 runners participate in the April race (13th April this year) that takes in London?s most emblematic monuments on the way. The race starts in Greenwich before crossing the Thames at Tower Bridge, continues round the docks at Canary Wharf, along the Thames Embankment to finish in The Mall near Buckingham Palace.

London Marathon Information

Entry cost: around £35
Where to stay: Studio for 2 in Surrey Quay, just west of Canary Wharf. Comfortable accommodation with on-site pool, Jacuzzi and sauna ? perfect for post-race relaxation ? and just minutes from the Thames pathway (for pre-race warm-up and watching the race itself).
Accommodation cost: £75 per night at weekends in AprilLondon marathon accommodation

Find out more about entering the London marathon

Berlin Marathon

In its 41st edition, the Berlin marathon is held in September (28th September this year) and attracts over 41,000 runners. The race has the reputation as one of the World?s fastest so this could be the one where you set a new personal best. It?s also one of the loudest ? 80 bands play you round the course as you run past Berlin?s oldest and newest architectural landmarks.

Berlin Marathon Information

Entry cost: ?98
Transport cost: Return flights to Berlin from London start at £110
Where to stay: This couldn?t be more central and it sleeps 8 so there?s room for running buddies. Spacious lodgings with power showers for post-race relaxation. Located on Friedrichstrasse, the apartment is minutes from the start and finish, and part of the course.
Accommodation cost: From ?242 per nightBerlin marathon accommodation

Find out more about entering the Berlin marathon

New York Marathon

Considered New York?s best day out, the marathon in November (2nd November this year) is also the World?s biggest in number of participants ? over 50,000 finished in 2013 ? and spectators ? around 2 million line the streets. Run since 1970, New York Marathon takes in all five of the city?s boroughs so you make your way through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, weaving over five bridges before finishing in Central Park.

New York Marathon Information

Entry cost: US$347
Transport cost: Return flights to New York from London start at £410
Where to stay: Central apartment for 4 on Upper West Side, near the Museum of Natural History. Cosy lodgings in a quiet area and just 20 minutes? walk from the finishing line in Central Park ? perfect for pre-race practice and popping back for a well-earned rest after the marathon itself.
Accommodation cost: US$299 per night at weekends during marathon weekendNew York Marathon Accommodation

Find out more about entering the New York marathon

Athens Marathon

The Athens race, known as the Authentic Marathon and held in November (9th November this year), runs from the town of Marathon to Athens along the route run by the soldier Pheidippides in 490BC and used during the first Olympic Games in 1896. The run includes several ascents and descents (some of them steep) so expect a challenging run as the Acropolis guides to the finish.

Athens Marathon Information

Entry cost: ?90
Transport cost: Return flights to Athens from London start at £140
Where to stay: City-centre apartment with room for up to 12 and views of the Acropolis from the terrace. Spacious accommodation with hydro-massage shower and Jacuzzi tub for relaxing after the race. Just a short walk from the Panathinaikou Stadium where the race finishes.
Accommodation cost: ?360 for up to 6 guests per night at weekends in NovemberAthens Marathon Accommodation

Find out more about entering the Athens Marathon

Paris Marathon

The City of Light boasts one of the world?s oldest marathon races (the first was in 1896) and most popular with around 50,000 runners. Held in April (12th April in 2015), the race tours all of the most famous Paris monuments and runs along the Seine for much of the second half. Appropriately for a gruelling sporting event, it starts and finishes at the Arc de Triomphe.

Paris Marathon Information

Entry cost: ?99
Transport cost: Return flights to Paris from London start at £80
Where to stay: Centrally located apartment for 3 near Les Invalides in a quiet residential area. Comfortable accommodation with bright art work and state-of-the-art entertainment for post-race chilling. Just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, one of the landmarks on the race.
Accommodation cost: ?181 per night at weekends in AprilParis Marathon Accommodation

Find out more about entering the Paris marathon