Best running destinations in North America
Best running destinations in North America
Long distance national park paths and urban river corridor tracks in North America
One major race remains the only major marathon requiring a qualifying time for most entrants, giving it a status unlike any other race on the continent. A larger city's marathon, by contrast, runs through multiple boroughs as one of the largest participation events in the world.
The destinations on this list range from qualifying races with serious competitive prestige to large-scale participation events built around accessibility rather than elite times. A high-altitude capital further south adds its own distinct training challenge.
Checking qualifying times well in advance matters specifically for the most competitive races, where standards are reviewed and adjusted based on demand each year. Entry systems vary considerably between lottery allocation and charity places. Packing for sudden weather changes also matters considerably depending on the specific course and season.
Lists by region
City
New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
Fast, crowded and full of energy, this city lets runners circle Central Park on a loop of about six miles. The New York City Marathon is held in November and crosses all five boroughs. The East River and Hudson River paths give long skyline views.
Other lists you may like
Discover
Best running destinations in Africa
One East African town, sitting at high altitude, has produced a disproportionate number of the world's best distance runners, drawing serious athletes specifically to train at…
Read more
Discover
Best running destinations in Asia
One East Asian capital's marathon ranks among the world's most significant annual races, drawing elite and recreational runners alike through closed city streets. A Southeast Asian…
Read more
Discover
Best running destinations in Europe
A famously flat marathon course in Central Europe has produced more world records than any other race, while a major Western European capital's marathon combines elite competition…
Read more
Discover
Best running destinations in Oceania
Australia and New Zealand's running scene leans heavily toward scenic trail and ultra events rather than major city marathons, with races through national parks and coastal trails…
Read more
Discover
Best running destinations in South America
Southern Patagonia's ultra trail races have built a serious international reputation over the past decade, drawing runners specifically for terrain and weather that test genuine…
Read more
Discover
Top running destinations and marathon routes
The world's best running destinations combine a genuinely good route with the kind of organisation, including closed roads, crowd support and logistics, that turns a long run into…
Read more
What other users say about travelfilters
“travelfilters made it easy for me to find ski areas and compare what else they offer, so that I could find the best place for my personal travel style.”
Chris
Snowboarding & Onsen trip to Japan
“I love how transparent the data feels. There is no pushy upsell, just honest information and settings I can tune to my own travel style.”
Maria
After booking her 2027 winter escape
“The level of detail for each destination and how well those are displayed, make planning feel confident instead of overwhelming.”
Mina
Planned a week in New York City
“We used travelfilters for our planning from start to end. The trip turned out even better than expected, thanks to all their tools and customization options.”
Allan & Etienne
Trip to Japan to see autumn foliage
“Thanks to travelfilters, I found some hidden gems to see. Being able to filter for exactly your interests is a game changer for my travel planning.”
Michael
Tour through the old cities of Northern Italy
“The customizable filters helped me find a quiet beach town with good wifi and low season crowds in under five minutes.”
Diego
Weekend Escape to Llanes, Spain
“The airport connection map saved me hours by showing good flight options from my home airport to lesser-known cities.”
Nguyen
Planning a 2027 trip to France
“The website is clean, fast and focused on the search itself, which makes travelfilters feel more like a professional tool than an ad-heavy booking site.”
Hassan
Christmas Market trip, Germany
