13 of The World's Craziest, Most Extreme Marathons

Safaricom

Running a marathon is feat unto itself. Add in extreme temperatures, steep climbs, and wild parties—and it seems nearly impossible. But that doesn’t stop determined runners from trying each year. In fact, 50 runners just competed in the North Pole Marathon, where they faced negative 40-degree temperatures. Yet there are races some argue are even more extreme.

While there were more than 1,200 marathons in the U.S. alone in 2014, according to Running USA’s Annual Marathon Report, there are a select few that go above and beyond when it comes to creating a wild running experience.

Some are not as difficult in terms of altitude or incline, but certainly make for an interesting jog. For example, thousands of runners take over the Las Vegas Strip at night for the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, where you can partake in a run-through wedding and race against hundreds of Elvis impersonators. On the other hand, the Kyoto marathon might just be the most spiritual ever, as the route includes several sacred shrines and temples.

Then there are the out-of-this-world torturous races like The Great Wall of China marathon. With more than 5,000 steps to climb along the 26.2 mile route, it’s no wonder that it takes runners about 50 percent longer than the average marathon time. And while there may not be any steps, runners have to watch for predators when they participate in South Africa’s Big Five Marathon. Did we mention the course runs directly through a lion territory?

For those who think 26.2 miles just isn’t enough cardio, there are ultra marathons to test out, too. Marathon des Sables in Morocco is a six-day, 251 kilometers (156-mile) race through the desert and is considered the hardest of earth. But, that could be up for debate because the Antarctica 100K (62 miles) takes place just a few hundred miles from the South Pole at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains.

Scared? Inspired? Click through to see 13 of the world’s wildest marathons.

Jordi Lippe-McGraw is a contributing digital reporter at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @WellTraveler.

Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Polar Night Half Marathon

While it may only be half the distance of a traditional marathon, this race is still one for the bucket list—it takes place in the beginning of January, during the Polar night-period, when the sun does not rise above the horizon. To make it even more extreme, the route is lit by torches to make it easier to see the aurora borealis as you run. It's also the northernmost AIMS-certified (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) half marathon in the world at almost 70° north.

2 of 13

Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon

Denise Truscello

When you head to Sin City, you expect flashing lights, quickie weddings and Elvis impersonators. Well, that's exactly what you get along this 26.2-mile route that takes place on the Las Vegas Strip after the sun goes down. The infamous Running Elvi don white lycra, sequins, and wigs to cheer on runners with crazy costumes and a boombox in a stroller that plays Elvis tunes while they run.

Each year the event also includes a Run-Thru Wedding Chapel where runners in love (or not) can say, “I do” during their run. More than 20 bands are also on hand, too, making sure there's no need for an iPod to keep you going. Snoop Dogg even performed one year.

3 of 13

Kyoto Marathon

KYOTO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 23: Participants in Santa costumes race in the Kyoto Santa Claus Marathon on December 23, 2011 in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

Buddhika Weerasinghe

The opposite of a wild party in Las Vegas, this marathon may be the most spiritual. The course takes runners though the gorgeous city of Kyoto, passing by seven UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites, several temples, and numerous sacred shrines.

4 of 13

The Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon

A1AMFP USA Alaska Fairbanks Racers compete in 367 mile Midnight Sun Wheelchair Marathon from Fairbanks to Anchorage

The opposite of the Polar Night Half Marathon, this Anchorage-based race coincides with the summer solstice so you have a full day of sun light.

5 of 13

Pikes Peak Marathon

FCRYHJ Runners in the PPRR Winter Series

Take your average marathon and then add a mountain onto it. That's exactly what happens at this Colorado race. The event begins at the base of Pikes Peak and climbs over 7,815 feet to the top of the 14,115-foot peak. To make it more difficult, the course consists of dirt trails, rock, and other natural obstacles, and takes place at a high altitude.

6 of 13

North Pole Marathon

Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the "Northernmost Marathon on Earth," this race attracted only 50 runners in 2016. Perhaps the -40-degree temperatures and running over hard snow or the frozen ice of the Arctic Ocean had something to do with it.

7 of 13

The Great Wall of China Marathon

Runners compete in the Great Wall marathon at Huangyaguan (Yellow Cliff Pass) Great Wall of China in Tianjin on May 19, 2012. The annual race attracts more than 1,600 athletes from 49 countries and is regarded as one of the most challenging marathons in

Getty Images

Many of us get winded just walking up a flight of stairs at home. Imagine running for 26.2 miles and climbing 5,164 steps along the way. Despite that, the race sells out each year, with 2,500 runners competing on the heart-pumping course.

8 of 13

The Everest Marathon

E1ATWF Solukhumbu, Nepal. 29th May, 2014. Participants from different countries and regions compete during the world's highest marathon event, at Everest Base Camp in Khumbu region, Solukhumbu, Nepal, May 29, 2014. © Sunil Sharma/Xinhua/Alamy Live News

As if climbing Mount Everest wasn't enough, some crazy folks decided to tack on a marathon in the area to make things a bit more dramatic. Listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest marathon in the world, the start line is at Gorak Shep (17,000 feet), close to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, and finishes at the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar at 11,300 feet.

9 of 13

Antarctic Ice Marathon and 100k

B6JJN1 Antarctica, Ross Island, McMurdo Station, Marathon start, Pegasus Airfield Road

Runners have their choice of the standard marathon distance or of taking it a bit farther by clocking in 100 kilometers in this race. Whichever you choose, they both take place at 80° south—just a few hundred miles from the South Pole at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains. Runners can experience everything from subzero temperatures to 24 hours of daylight while trying to cross the finish line.

10 of 13

Big Five Marathon

F9243D (151213) -- MASAI MARA, Dec. 13, 2015 (Xinhua) -- Athletes compete during the 7th Masai Mara Marathon on the Masai Mara savanna in Kenya, on Aug. 15, 2015. As a country Kenya has considerable land area devoted to wildlife habitats. The tropical wet

There's nothing like the threat of a wild animal attacking you to shorten your race time. The course runs through the private game reserve Entabeni in the Limpopo Province of South Africa and directly through a lion territory.

11 of 13

Marathon des Sables

PIERRE VERDY

This race is not one, not two, but six days long across the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Over that time runners traverse 156 miles, and it's considered one of the toughest foot races in the world.

12 of 13

Macau's International Marathon

Macao Sports Development Board

This year marks Macau's 35th International Marathon and while you won't have to endure extreme temperatures or settings, it's still a pretty remarkable route as it includes crossing a bridge and running to China. It's the only way to get there sans visa.

13 of 13

Safaricom Marathon

Safaricom

Not your typical street marathon or track race, participants experience an awe-inspiring race across the Kenyan savannah with giraffes, zebras, and rhinos as their running companions.

Replay gallery

Your Profile

13 of The World's Craziest, Most Extreme Marathons

1 of 13

Polar Night Half Marathon

1 of 13

2 of 13

Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon

2 of 13

3 of 13

Kyoto Marathon

3 of 13

4 of 13

The Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon

4 of 13

5 of 13

Pikes Peak Marathon

5 of 13

6 of 13

North Pole Marathon

6 of 13

7 of 13

The Great Wall of China Marathon

7 of 13

8 of 13

The Everest Marathon

8 of 13

9 of 13

Antarctic Ice Marathon and 100k

9 of 13

10 of 13

Big Five Marathon

10 of 13

11 of 13

Marathon des Sables

11 of 13

12 of 13

Macau's International Marathon

12 of 13

13 of 13

Safaricom Marathon

13 of 13

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery