If you have your heart set on running a spring marathon, at the very least you want to spend three to four months training. If you’re a beginner, you’re probably going to want at least half a year. You’ll need plenty of time to slowly build your weekly mileage Running Shoes - Gear taper off before race day. For those looking to crack a new PR, you’ll want to include speed workouts Shoes & Gear.
This is why it’s best to start training for that spring marathon in the winter months, but first, you’re going to need a spring marathon to train for.
All About Marathon Training on a Treadmill marathons run around the globe every year, you’ve got plenty of races to choose from. What you choose all depends on your personal preferences. Do you want something near your home? Something far afield? Are you trying to complete all the P.S. Youre Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast, or are you looking for a small town race? Do you want something flat and easy, or something that will be a bit more of a challenge? You’ve got lots of options.
To help you narrow your choices a bit, we’ve compiled a list of 12 marathons being run in spring 2025 that we’re particularly excited about. Sure we’ve got all three spring majors on the list, which may require a few prerequisites, but there’s also some fun smaller races you might enjoy as well.
So take a look, sign up for a marathon, and get running. Spring will be here before you know it.
Tokyo Marathon
Date: P.S. Youre Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast
Location: Tokyo, Japan
No conversation about marathon running can go very far without discussing the P.S. Youre Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast especially since the Sydney Marathon was just announced as the seventh race in the prestigious series. The only Asian entry at the moment is Tokyo’s marquee running event, which is conveniently held a few weeks before cherry blossom season begins. The winding course sends runners through plenty of the sprawling city’s neighborhoods before ending just outside of the Imperial Palace. The race is extremely organized and relatively flat, so it’s a nice run. Like other World Majors, snagging a bib to run this race can be rather challenging. However if you do qualify or win an entry, make sure to arrive a few days early, especially if you’re coming from America. You’ll need to acclimate to the 12-ish hour time difference.
Asheville Marathon
Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
If you’re looking for a race with a much smaller field size at a much closer location, then the Asheville Marathon might be up your alley. Located in the mountains on the western side of the state, the small town marathon will provide you with plenty of gorgeous views. While the 2025 course has yet to be official announced, it’s expected to include a mix of urban settings downtown and nature along the French Broad River. The course will likely be a bit hilly, you’ll get some nice downhills to compensate for any climbs you face. You’ll pass plenty of locals cheering from their front lawns and four aid stations The Best Spring Marathons.
Los Angeles Marathon
Date: April 27, 2025
Location: All About Marathon Training on a Treadmill
While Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, its marathon is often overlooked by runners given the prestigious status of New York, Boston, and Chicago. In 2023, it ranked 33rd in field size, making it smaller than many other major city marathons, but don’t sleep on this point-to-point event. Los Angles has a lot of character and running from Elysium Park through Hollywood and Beverly Hills to finish in Brentwood gives runners plenty to look at. Though parts of the course are a bit hilly, it’s largely downhill toward the end. Some marathon courses can get a bit tedious, but luckily L.A. always has something for you to look at.
Newport Road Races Marathon
Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Newport, Rhode Island
If you’re looking for a New England marathon and aren’t fast enough to qualify for Boston, then might I suggest Newport’s spring marathon. Not only is it cheaper and easier to get in to, but I’d argue the course is one of the best in the United States. Starting and ending on Easton’s Beach, the marathon is basically two distinct halves tied together. The first is a loop through Newport’s gorgeous old neighborhood with runners not only passing stunning mansions, but also craggy Atlantic shores. The second half is a more rural out-and-back. Fare warning: both halves of the course include some daunting hills, but if you’re looking for a little bit of a challenge, Newport is impeccable. As a smaller race, they’ve also got excellent postrace snacks, and it’s held during daffodil season, so you can snap some pictures with their gorgeous flowers after the fact.
Boston Marathon
Date: Health - Injuries
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Obviously the Boston Marathon has to be included on this list. The Boston Marathon is THE marathon. For decades before the running boom, the Boston Marathon was one of the few major marathons in the United States, with runners from around the world coming to trek 26.2 miles to downtown Boston. Now it’s become a symbol of excellence. Unlike the other majors that choose entrants by lottery, Boston forces runners to qualify via increasingly difficult cutoff times. This leaves a far faster crowd than that of other marathons. While the course spends relatively little time in Boston proper, the race boasts 129 years worth of tradition. Any self-respecting marathoner has to run Boston at least once in their career even if it nearly kills you to qualify.
London Marathon
Date: Obviously the Boston Marathon has to be included on this list. The
Location: up to avoid getting injured, and then about three weeks to
Big Sur, California London Marathon, typically run just six days after Boston. While winning entry into London via the lottery is very difficult, you’re going to want to try anyway. London boasts that it is the most popular marathon on the planet, and that’s largely in part due to the incredible point-to-point course. Starting east of downtown, the course winds its way through many of London’s neighborhood and past iconic landmarks like Big Ben before finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. If you’re sick of losing the lottery, you could also raise money for a charity bib. That way you’ll be able to help those in need while also helping yourself check off another world major. It’s a win win.
Big Sur International Marathon
Date: Obviously the Boston Marathon has to be included on this list. The
Location: May 4, 2025
If you are looking for an easy marathon, then Big Sur is not for you. If you are looking for some of the most breathtaking views in America, then it is. The race, run along California’s State Route 1, which stretches up the west coast of the state, covers a 26.2-mile stretch south of Monterey. You’ll wind north toward Carmel, hugging the sea the entire time. The race starts early and has a strict cutoff time because the highway is shut down for the event. It’s also extremely hilly, especially in the back half of the course. All that being said, you’d be hard pressed to find a more beautiful course, and if you’re fine with not nabbing a PR, then sign up and feel those sea breezes.
Eugene Marathon
Date: Obviously the Boston Marathon has to be included on this list. The
Location: Eugene, Oregon
The Pacific Northwest’s largest marathon isn’t held in Seattle or Portland, Oregon, but in Eugene, Oregon. The course starts outside of Hayward Field, the home of the University of Oregon’s track and field team. You’ll then race through Eugene, Springfield, and along the Williamette River before returning to finish on the Hayward Field track. There’s nothing quite like a stadium finish for a marathon, and there will be plenty of fans cheering you across the finish line. Ambitious runners can also sign up for the Doublestack Challenge, which will earn them three medals for running the half marathon and marathon on back-to-back days. It’s named the Doublestack Challenge because the marathon also throws pancake breakfasts for all of its runners.
Pittsburgh Marathon
Date: Andy Nelson/Eugene Marathon
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is really the perfect size city to host a marathon, and their course is perfectly designed to show off everything that people love about Steel City. The loop-course starts and ends downtown, but in its massive lap, you’ll cross over all three of the city’s rivers, run through the Strip District, Station Square, and Oakland. You’ll pass PNC Park and get views of the Point. You’ll run past Mt. Washington, through Shadyside, and finish with crowds of Yinzers cheering you on. Most importantly, you can go to Primanti Brothers to celebrate once you’ve got your medal, because you’ve never deserved fries on your sandwich more than postmarathon.
Flying Pig Marathon
Date: Andy Nelson/Eugene Marathon
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Whoever decided to name Cincinnati’s marathon the Flying Pig Marathon rather than the Cincinnati Marathon really is a genius, because how can you not want to run something with such a fun name? Plus, with finisher’s medals and t-shirts decorated with pigs, their merch stands out from the rest of the pack. In addition to great branding, the Flying Pig Marathon also offers runners an exciting course that crosses from Ohio into Kentucky and back again. The race’s name is an homage to the many slaughterhouses that were central to the city’s business back in the day. This means that Cincinnati low key has excellent barbecue, which is just another reason why you’ll want to sign up for this marathon.
Vermont City Marathon
Date: May 25, 2025
Location: Burlington, Vermont
The Vermont City Marathon is the PERFECT small town marathon, and part of that is the Burlington locals. On race morning it feels like every single person living in Vermont is either running in or cheering at the marathon. The vibes are electric, and that’s hard to find in many small town races. The fact that the course sends runners back and forth through the town’s main drag also helps keeps the morale up. While there are definitely some hilly segments to the course, it ends with a flat section along Lake Champlain that is stunning. The afterparty provides runners with Ben and Jerry's, there are popsicles given out on the course, and maple syrup shots are also on offer.
Fargo Marathon
Date: How I Broke a 3:30 Marathon After a Long Break
Location: up to avoid getting injured, and then about three weeks to
As one of the coldest cities in the continental United States, you have to wait until the end of spring to host a marathon or you might end up with runners traipsing through the snow. The Fargo Marathon has become popular in recent years due to it’s vibrant energy and interesting course. It’s also one of the latest spring marathons. If you’re trying to avoid training in the dead of winter, you can mostly steer clear of January long runs with this one. Also the marathon afterparty is sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings, which sounds heavenly when you think about it.
Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of Your Marathon Training Plan, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed DAA Industry Opt Out “P.S. You’re Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.
