3 marathons to run at least once in Europe

Running a marathon in a city abroad, especially in a city that you don't know or know very little about, is an opportunity to both take on a major sporting challenge and discover a city over a long weekend or a short week. If the trip is organized with family or friends, it is also an adventure to experience with others to discover a new city, another country, another culture. We have selected three marathons to run in Europe at least once to discover three beautiful European cities in a unique way. We have listed them in alphabetical order, but of course you are free to run them in the order you want if you decide to run these three marathons.

Amsterdam

For our first European city to discover by running a marathon, head to Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The Amsterdam marathon has a special feature, it is its arrival in the Olympic stadium that was used for the 1928 Olympic Games. If you dream at least once in your life of experiencing the entrance into a stadium as the Marathoners do during the Olympic Games, this is the perfect opportunity. You will pass under the stands in a tunnel and arrive on the track in the middle of the stadium. In the absence of being able to participate in the Olympic Games and with a little imagination, it will be perfect to feel a little of what the athletes can experience when they enter the stadium at the end of the Olympic marathon.

Beyond this memorable finish, the Amsterdam Marathon will also make you discover what makes the charm not only of the city of Amsterdam but also of the Netherlands, the famous canals. Even if the marathon does not run along the most famous old canals in the city center, it will take you along a large canal just outside the city for many kilometers before retracing your steps and returning to the city again. You will also pass towards the end of the Marathon in the middle of the famous Vondelpark in the center of Amsterdam before heading towards the Olympic stadium.

One of the advantages of the Amsterdam Marathon is that the course is generally quite flat. The only difficulties are the bridge crossings, in particular the one over the Amstel, the river that crosses the city. Once you have crossed the finish line at the Olympic stadium, you will have the leisure the next day to explore the city and in particular the old center and its canals. I recommend taking a riverboat. It is a great way to discover the city and its very typical houses along the canals and what is more, you will not have to walk. The day after a marathon, there is nothing better than not having to walk extra kilometers.

Barcelona

For the second European city to discover by running a marathon, this time we head south to Barcelona. The Barcelona Marathon is a unique opportunity to walk along the great avenues of Barcelona, ​​to skirt the Mediterranean Sea and to zigzag towards the end of the marathon through the old streets of the historic city centre.

The marathon route also passes very close to the Nou Camp, FC Barcelona's stadium. It's a shame that we can't enter or cross it during the marathon, it would allow us to see the view that the players have of this legendary stadium from the pitch. Another famous monument that the marathon allows us to see and perhaps the most famous monument in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia, the basilica designed by Gaudi whose construction began in 1882.

The Barcelona Marathon takes place in March and the temperature in March in Barcelona ranges from 10 to 17 degrees. It is ideal for running a marathon. It is also a great way to celebrate the end of winter and, if the sun is out, to enjoy a weekend by the sea to start 'reviving' after the winter months. The day after the marathon and if the weather is good, you can enjoy the presence of the sea by going to rest on the city's beaches near the port and have a coffee or taste bocadillos or patatas fritas while looking at the sea.

Venice

Last stop on this European journey in search of marathons and cities to discover: Venice and its marathon. If you think of Venice, you might wonder how it is possible to run a marathon in Venice. Venice is only a few kilometers long.

In fact, the Venice Marathon does indeed end in Venice but it starts inland from the "Terra Ferma" or mainland in the town of Strà, which is located west of Venice. The route passes through the town of Mestre and one of the difficulties of the route is in fact running across the Ponte della Libertà, a 4-kilometre bridge connecting Venice to the coast. 4 kilometres of straight line that can be a bit monotonous and above all that seem to never end. But after these 4 kilometres, we finally reach Venice.

There are still a few kilometers to go in Venice but above all 14 bridges to cross to St. Mark's Square. And 14 bridges at the end of a marathon, that requires additional effort that we could do without. But that is also what makes the city legendary. Moreover, the bridges of Venice, it is especially the day after or the day after that that they will seem impassable to you if you decide to stay a few more days after the marathon to enjoy the city and visit it. With the wooden legs of a day after a marathon, the arched bridges of Venice become real obstacles, almost mountains to climb. The other option and perhaps the one to favor remains the gondola to see Venice and pass not on the bridges but under the bridges and this time without effort.

Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice: three beautiful marathons in three European cities that are definitely worth the trip. A great program and a unique way to combine the passion for running and the desire to discover beautiful cities in three different countries.