Ready to fill out the 2022 race calendar? Entries to many of the world’s most popular marathons open soon. Some races are so popular, in fact, runners have to enter a lottery to earn a spot in them.
Here’s everything to know about entry dates, accommodations, and costs for the biggest marathons in the world.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon has a fast, flat course that has hosted four world-record-smashing performances. It starts and ends at Chicago’s Grant Park and runs past Wrigley Field.
Accommodations: The Palmer House Hilton is less than half a mile from the start line, while JW Marriott Chicago sits at mile 2 of the race, ideal for any spectators who travel to the race.
2022 race date: October 9, 2022
Cost: $230 USD
Entry period: Although entries for lottery places closed in 2021, there are still options if you want to run for a charity.
Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris
The Paris Marathon features one of the world’s most scenic routes passing Paris landmarks including Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, and the Seine riverbank.
Accommodations: Indulge after the race – get free organic soft drinks at the Hôtel du Ministère in the 8th District or shop near the Madeleine District’s Hotel Massena.
2022 race date: April 3, 2022
Cost: 125 euros after January 13, 2022
Entry period: General entry will close when the number of entrants hit 15,000; however, there are still some charity and tour-related entries still available.
Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Canada’s biggest marathon, the Toronto Waterfront Marathon winds along Lake Ontario and the Toronto Inner Harbor. Neighborhoods along the route sponsor fun celebrations on race day.
Accommodations: Stay at the Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre and check out the amazing view from the pool on the 18th floor. Book a room at the InterContinental Toronto Centre and take advantage of the on-site spa after the race.
2022 race date: October 16, 2022
Cost: This year’s registration rates have yet to be announced but they will likely hover around $115 CAD
Entry period: Registration opens on January 25, 2022 and is open until the day before the race (unless sold out prior).
Marine Corps Marathon, Washington DC
Held in Washington, DC, the Marine Corps Marathon starts at the Pentagon and winds through Rosslyn, Georgetown, and past the National Mall to finish at the Marine Corps War Memorial.
Accommodations: Penn Quarter, with hotels such as Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown and Henley Park Hotel, is in downtown DC and just a 15-minute Metro ride to the starting line. Closer to the Pentagon, try Sheraton Pentagon City.
2022 race date: October 30, 2022
Cost: Not yet released but expect the rate to hover around $180 USD
Entry period: Registration this year is in a tiered rollout, described in full detail here.
Mainova Frankfurt Marathon
The entry deadline for the 2022 Berlin Marathon has passed, so sign up for Germany’s other major race, the Frankfurt Marathon. Well-organized with a flat course lined with musicians, the Frankfurt race finishes indoors, which is unusual.
Accommodations: Mövenpick Hotel Frankfurt City is the official race hotel, or stay right across from the start and finish line at the Hotel Hessischer Hof.
2022 race date: October 30, 2022
Cost: 100 euros until June 30, 2022
Entry period: Open until October 23, 2022
Shiprock Marathon, New Mexico
Held annually on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, the Shiprock Marathon is the oldest of several that are held here every year. Proceeds from the event go towards an outdoor adventure program for young people living on the reservation.
Accommodations: The closest hotels to the marathon are in nearby Farmington, NM. There are quite a few chain hotels such as the Courtyard Marriott, but for something a little more charming, try the Casa Blanca Inn & Suites.
2022 race date: May 6 – 8, 2022
Cost: $60 USD for half marathon, $80 USD for full
Entry period: Price increases after March 31, 2022 and ends when sold out.
TCS New York City Marathon
With more than 50,000 racers finishing every year, the New York City Marathon winds through all five boroughs of New York City and ends in Central Park. Lots of celebrities run, too.
Accommodations: The race starts in Staten Island, so being close to the ferry at Andaz Wall St cuts down on the race-day commute. Others like to stay by the finish at hotels like the Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan or budget-friendly Hotel Belleclaire.
2022 race date: November 6, 2022
Cost: Rates have not been announced for 2022 but expect them to hover around $300 USD
Lottery entry period: Typically entries begin in late January through February. Details for this year’s race will be announced here.
Australian Outback Marathon
The Australian Outback Marathon takes runners through a beautiful desert trek in the shadow of Uluru. A marathon that’s part vacation, the cost of sign on includes accommodations and offers packages for a variety of price points and lengths. Participants can also choose the length of their run, starting at 6KM all the way up to a full marathon.
Accommodations: Runners and guests can choose from five different accommodations: Sails in the Desert, the Desert Gardens Hotel, The Lost Camel, the Emu Walk Apartments, or the Outback Pioneer Hotel.
2022 race date: July 30, 2022
Cost: The cost of entry for this marathon also includes accommodation and can range from AU$1295 to AU$1850 for a 3 day/2 night package. Longer packages are also available.
Entry period: A late booking fee of AU$110 will be applied to any registrations made after May 13, 2022.
TCS London Marathon
The London Marathon, which started in 1981, was born when two Olympic medalists overheard their running club friends chatting about their experience at the New York marathon. Today, the popular event offers runners the ability to raise money for a wide range of charities.
Accommodations: The Clarendon Hotel is a charming, but reasonably priced option in Blackheath, which is the start of the marathon.
2022 race date: October 2, 2022
Cost: £49 for UK participants and £99, plus a £26 carbon offset levy for international participants.
Entry period: The ballot for the 2022 London marathon closed on October 8, 2021.
Tokyo Marathon
This year’s Tokyo Marathon will last all month with runners from around the world participating in a virtual run. The distance that the participants run will be recorded through running apps and will be cumulative over the course of the month, so more people can participate without having to do 26 miles all at once.
Accommodations: Tokyo marathon takes place wherever you happen to be this year, but the Tokyo Station Hotel, is located both close to the traditional end of the marathon and inside of a luxury hotel property that’s more than 100 years old.
2022 race date: February 5 – March 5, 2022
Cost: 9,000 JPY
Entry period: Final date to register is January 30, 2022.
The Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon holds the distinction of being the oldest marathon in the world. Started in 1897, the prestigious event brings both athletes and visitors from around the world to watch the event and participate in the festivities.
Accommodations: If you want to run straight past the finish line and into your bed, try the Lenox Hotel, just a few hundred feet from the end of the race.
2022 race date: April 18, 2022
Cost: $205 USD for US residents and $255 USD for international runners
Entry period: Registration for the 2022 marathon was from November 8-12, 2021.
Great Aloha Run, Hawaiʻi
In deference to the pandemic, Hawaiʻi’s Great Aloha Run will be “virtual” this year. Instead of gathering for one coordinated run, participants are encouraged to run at their leisure, wherever they are and log their miles.
Accommodations: Because the event is virtual this year, there’s no need to travel, but historic old hotels like the Moana Surfrider Hotel, which opened in 1901, might just be worth the trip.
2022 race date: February 18 – 21, 2022
Cost: $45 USD for adults, $30 USD for Ages 5 – 12 or 65 and up, $35 USD for Hawai‘i Pacific Health employees
Entry period: Final date to register is February 21, 2022.
