Here is the consolidated schedule of the 2026 marathons, sorted by their race dates.
2026 Marathon Schedule by https://www.instagram.com/trackclubbabe/
| Marathon Name | Race Date | Training Status (as of 4/7/26) |
| London Marathon | 4/26 | 3 weeks to go |
| Big Sur Marathon | 4/26 | 3 weeks to go |
| Eugene Marathon | 4/26 | 3 weeks to go |
| Glass City Marathon | 4/26 | 3 weeks to go |
| Vancouver Marathon | 5/03 | 4 weeks to go |
| Pittsburgh Marathon | 5/03 | 4 weeks to go |
| OC Marathon | 5/03 | 4 weeks to go |
| Flying Pig Marathon | 5/03 | 4 weeks to go |
| Colfax Marathons | 5/17 | 6 weeks to go |
| Bayshore Marathon | 5/23 | 7 weeks to go |
| Cape Town Marathon | 5/24 | 7 weeks to go |
| Rock n’ Roll San Diego | 5/31 | 8 weeks to go |
| Utah Valley Marathon | 6/06 | 9 weeks to go |
| Grandma’s Marathon | 6/20 | 11 weeks to go |
| Gold Coast Marathon | 7/05 | 13 weeks to go |
| San Francisco Marathon | 7/26 | 16 weeks to go |
| Edmonton Marathon | 8/16 | 19 weeks to go |
| Sydney Marathon | 8/30 | 21 weeks to go |
| Berlin Marathon | 9/27 | 24 weeks to go |
| Twin Cities Marathon | 10/04 | 26 weeks to go |
| Chicago Marathon | 10/11 | 27 weeks to go |
| Toronto Waterfront | 10/18 | 28 weeks to go |
| Amsterdam Marathon | 10/18 | 28 weeks to go |
| Marine Corps Marathon | 10/25 | 29 weeks to go |
| NYC Marathon | 11/01 | 30 weeks to go |
Note: The “Training” column reflects the countdown relative to the “As of” date of April 7, 2026, indicated in your images.
What is a marathon
A marathon is a long-distance foot race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles).
It is considered one of the ultimate tests of human endurance, combining physical stamina with mental fortitude. While many people use the term “marathon” to describe any long race, in the running world, the name applies strictly to this specific distance.
The Origin Story
The name comes from the Legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger.
- The Myth: In 490 BCE, Pheidippides is said to have run from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Greeks had defeated the Persians.
- The Result: Legend says he gasped “We have won!” and then collapsed and died.
- Modern Adoption: When the modern Olympic Games began in 1896, organizers created a long-distance race to honor this legend.
Why 26.2 miles?
The distance wasn’t always standardized. It was originally around 25 miles (the approximate distance from Marathon to Athens). The specific distance of 26.2 miles was established during the 1908 London Olympics:
- The race was set to start at Windsor Castle and finish at the Olympic Stadium.
- To ensure the finish line was directly in front of the Royal Box, extra distance was added.
- This measurement (26 miles and 385 yards) became the official international standard in 1921.
Key Characteristics
- The “Wall”: Many runners experience a phenomenon called “hitting the wall” around the 20-mile (32 km) mark. This occurs when the body’s glycogen stores (stored energy in the muscles and liver) are depleted, leading to sudden extreme fatigue.
- The World Majors: There are six “World Marathon Majors” that are considered the most prestigious in the world: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
- The Records:
- Men: The official world record is 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
- Women: The official world record is 2:11:53, set by Tigst Assefa in 2023.
Note: Any race longer than 42.195 km is technically classified as an Ultramarathon, while shorter common distances include the Half Marathon (21.1 km), 10K, and 5K.
