Best Marathons for Beginners

If the marathon bug has finally nipped at your heels, spurring you to action, it’s time to get serious about finding the right race. The best marathons for beginners is more than a list of races, it’s looking at your options and figuring out exactly which one is going to give you a shot at a spectacular day.

The marathon isn’t just 26.2 miles, it’s the months of training leading up to race day and you want the pay off to be spectacular.

It’s easy to look to the big races or simply sign up for a race near home, once the idea of a first marathon has finally taken over your brain.

After 19 years of racing and helping others, I wish someone had given me a little more insight about picking a first marathon. While my first ended up being one of the best marathons for beginners, that was luck!

There are a lot of lists out there of the best races, but I often find they don’t help folks because the dates don’t line up or they can’t travel there or it’s a lottery and they can’t get in!

Instead, I want to give you a way to evaluate the first marathon you pick to decide what will help you create the most memorable {in a good way!} experience possible for both training and race day.

best marathons for beginners

Which marathon is the best for first timers? All depends on you!! Just because Honolulu is great for some folks, it’s not for others like my athlete Jodi who trained through sub freezing temps to arrive and feel overheated!

The Best Location

Should you race near home or select a destination race?

Local races mean sleeping in your own bed, no travel stress, and eating your regular foods.
Local races also mean knowing the course and exactly how far you have left (for better or worse) due to common sites on the course.
Destination races mean seeing new sights and immersing yourself in the race atmosphere of something new, which can help keep you distracted
Destination races mean more logistical planning, which can add to overall stress.

Personally, I really love to travel for marathon races. While there is more to plan, it adds to the overall excitement and especially for your first marathon where the focus should NOT BE on your time, but instead on finishing strong the destination can help.

The Best Crowd Support

What kind of support will improve your experience? This is hugely personal!

Including your closest friends and family in this experience can make it that much sweeter. You won’t believe the energy boost you get from seeing them on the course.
Have you selected a race that will make a great vacation for them or allow them to easily spectate?
Will seeing lots of great marathon signs give you a distraction and remind you to laugh?
Do you prefer simply being left to your own devices? Then a smaller marathon where you can just focus on the run might be best.
Large cities will often have the biggest crowds and the most companies like Lululemon setting up big cheer stations.
Smaller local races or trail races will offer you less crowded courses and fewer spectators.

great cheer station

The Best First Marathon Course

Now let’s get down to the big one. Which course will give you the best results? First, make sure you know exactly how course descriptions are written!

Will you have similar training terrain? For instance, training for a race that happens in the mountains is much harder when you live at sea level (Said from experience).
Course elevation charts will help you determine the amount of hill training needed.
Race reviews will help you find courses that are more scenic, challenging, or unique.
During training, do you like running loops, out and back, or point to point? Choose a race with your preferred running style.
Don’t think that just because it’s downhill running, it’s easier. Those steep races can be some of the hardest.
What’s the surface like? All road, crushed gravel, some park trails?

What you need to consider when selecting your FIRST marathon! Share on X

Are you getting the idea yet that the best marathons for beginners isn’t just a perfect list of races?

The Best Timing for a First Marathon

You’ve decided it’s time to transition from the half to the full, but how much time do you need to make it happen? Or shoot maybe you’re just going all in for that first race. How to know when you are ready to run a marathon?

If your current long run is a 5K, select a race at least 24 weeks in the future.
If your current long run is a 10K, select a race at least 20 weeks in the future.
If your current long run is a 13.1, select a race at least 16 weeks in the future.
Evaluate other major life events; it’s not ideal to be planning a wedding or studying for major exams during training.

race distances

There are a lot more tips to go with training for your first marathon, but hopefully these will help you find the marathon course that’s going to best for first timers.