10 best autumn marathons
Looking for a fresh challenge this year? Sign up to an end-of-season marathon to focus your training through the summer and finish the year on a high!
Marathon season, somewhat uniquely, is neatly divided into two segments: spring events and autumn events. The former often get more attention, perhaps because runners setting New Year goals target races a few months away, perhaps because the schedule is dominated by the TCS London Marathon.
Our opinion, though, is that autumn marathons is where the fun really lies.
It's a fantastic fusion of optimal weather conditions, months of summer running in your legs and a truly superb selection of races. Whether you're looking for a challenge as a beginner runner or are on the hunt for a PB, an autumn marathon could be exactly the event you need.
These races are the best marathons coming up this autumn, including overseas marathons and special anniversary editions!
BMW Berlin Marathon
September
Berlin is renowned for it's fast course. Part of what makes the route so fast is its flat profile but the long, straight sections help too as runners have very few tight corners to navigate. Berlin is a wonderful city that makes the ideal location for a weekend break if you fancy chasing a new PB yourself.
Get a charity place in the BMW Berlin Marathon
Bewl Water Autumn Marathon
September
Previously rated one of the top UK marathons, this scenic mixed-terrain route around Bewl Water is on undulating rural wooded trails and quiet country lanes - plus there are other distances on the day to suit your group of running buddies or clubmates.
Sign up for Bewl Water Autumn Marathon
RUN Barnstaple Marathon
September
Fast, flat and in an ideal setting for achieving a new personal best time, this is a great choice for those looking for a marathon eligible for 'Good for Age' for the London Marathon. Organised by the experienced Events Team at Children's Hospice South West, your smashable £70 fundraising helps fund an hour of care at the children's hospice itself, making it a win-win for you, and them.
Sign up for the RUN Barnstaple Marathon
Thames Meander Autumn Marathon
October
Perfectly described as 'invitingly runnable', this Top 10 UK Marathon (Runners World) welcomes runners of all ability levels with its easy navigation and generous 6-hour cut off time. Lap up the riverside route (in your road shoes), chat to the many marshalls, then hop online afterwards to join the community of five-star reviewers. You're going to love this!
Sign up for the Thames Meander Autumn Marathon
MBNA Chester Marathon
October
Voted the UK's Best Marathon (up to 5,000 runners) three times, Chester has a fantastic reputation as not only a great marathon course but as having brilliant support, too. The route is exclusive in venturing into both England and Wales, enjoying superb scenery along its route, from the city centre start to its rural roads. This is also a qualifying race for the age group championships, if you're interested in picking up the pace!
Get a charity place in the Chester Marathon
TCS Amsterdam Marathon
October
Beginning at the iconic Olympic Stadium and passing through the Rijksmuseum, this fast marathon explores some of Amsterdam's most famous landmarks. After running along the Amstel River and into the picturesque Dutch countryside, the route returns to the city centre, including the Vondelpark, for a grandstand finish at the stadium. Considered one of the fastest marathons in the world, this event is also perfect for an autumn city break.
Sign up for the TCS Amsterdam Marathon
Yorkshire Marathon
October
The route begins in York's historic city centre, close to York Minster, before journeying into the surrounding countryside, returning to an exultant finish by the University of York. There is a 10-mile route option for anyone not interested in the full marathon distance and plenty of entertainment on the course to keep you motivated.
Sign up for the Yorkshire Marathon
Langdale Marathon
October
Considered to be the toughest road marathon in the UK, this Lake District course begins in Great Langdale and follows the same course as the half marathon, completing two loops. This means that runners climb Blea Tarn and Foulstep twice, culminating in a fiendish 3,400ft of total ascent. The reward is a truly stunning marathon course that will live long in the memory. Plus, there are five pubs on the course so that has to be worth something...
Sign up for the Langdale Marathon
Irish Life Dublin Marathon
October
One of the largest marathons in Europe, Dublin is always over-subscribed so it pays to get your entry in nice and early. The reason for that is this is a fast, flat course that runs past the city's iconic landmarks and is dotted with entertainment zones to keep the atmosphere buzzing, not to mention the warm welcome from Dublin's residents. Over 20,000 runners run Dublin every year and the race gets consistently good reviews.
Get a charity place in Dublin Marathon
TCS New York City Marathon
November
With over 55,000 runners taking part each year, the New York City Marathon has grown tremendously since its origins over 50 years ago, when it had just 55 finishers! This is now one of the greatest marathons in the world and is attended by runners from across the globe, all travelling to run past iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty.
Sign up for the TCS New York Marathon
Looking for something else?
There are hundreds more marathons to discover on TimeOutdoors, including trail marathons. Discover them all here!