Five Of The Most Beautiful Places In The World To Run A Marathon

Conquered the Cork City Marathon? Preparing for the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon? Or maybe it's time to set your marathon sights further afield? Look no further… We've put together some of the most visually stunning marathons around the world to add to your running bucket list. Here are five of the most beautiful places on the planet to challenge yourself to the limit... 1. Venice Perched on the northeast coast of Italy, the beautiful city of Venice (or Venezia as the locals call it) is a World Heritage Site. The Venice Marathon sets off in the stunning riverside location of Stra, 25km west of the city, and continues through open countryside before arriving for the pièce de résistance in Venice. Runners cross endless bridges to make their way through Venice's maze of canals, before passing world-famous landmarks like St Mark's Square and Palazzo Ducale. Celebrate reaching the finish line by taking a trip on a gondola. It doesn't get more beautiful than that. For more info click here. 2. The Big Sur, California Fancy running alongside Highway One, California's most scenic driving route? Well, you can do just that if you take part in The Big Sur International Marathon. Runners take on epic hills on this exquisite marathon route, but the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean along the rugged coast and the endless sea of Redwood forests make up for the uphill challenges. For more info about the marathon click here. 3. The Great Wall of China That's right, you can take your marathon adventures all the way to the world's most famous wall. And it's a great wall, in fairness. Considered one of the world's most challenging marathons, this isn't one for the faint-hearted. The race starts with a climb of over 5,000 steps (!), but once that's over and done with, the route winds through beautiful villages, rice fields and flat ground. The views are stunning and the location is iconic; what more could you ask for? Find out more here. 4. The Big Five Marathon, South Africa Named after five of South Africa's biggest animals - the lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino - this race around the Entabeni reserve (that's halfway between Johannesburg and Kruger National Park) is totally unique. Armed rangers patrol the route to keep runners safe - you might outrun an elephant, but a leopard is another story! Running through the incredible South African savannah, marathon participants enjoy incredible views of the landscape and the awe-inspiring wildlife who call it home. You'll find more details here. 5. The Cayman Islands If you're looking for an excuse to visit the Caribbean (aren't we all?), The Cayman Islands Marathon is as good a reason as any. Probably one of the most chilled-out races in the world, the big event takes place in George Town, the capital city of The Cayman Islands. Runners take on the flat course before kicking back on one of the many sandy beaches with an ice-cold drink. Idyllic or what? Check out all of the details here. Keep your eyes peeled to see our next update with news on the SSE Airtricity Team Dublin Marathon training programmes. Or head on over to SSE Airtricity for more information.