You're missing out on the Dublin Marathon place…again.
It's June. In the past few months scoured Facebook Marketplace, bribed mates, hit refresh on the lottery page like a madman, yet here you are, bibless for the Dublin Marathon in October . But don’t toss your runners in the skip just yet. Several cracking marathons take place across Europe that same weekend, so you can still come into work Monday morning with sore legs and a heroic Instagram story.
Here are five excellent alternatives worth booking before your mates do:
Frankfurt Marathon – Sunday 26th October 2025
Germany’s most efficient marathon (which is saying something), flat as a pancake and timed to the second. This is a serious PB-hunter’s dream, where even the water stations seem to run on Deutsche Bahn precision (minus the industrial action). The grand finish inside the Festhalle feels like something between a Eurovision finale and a Champions League walkout.
- Entry fee: Typically €150
- Why go? Fast course, elite vibes, perfect for control freaks and Garmin worshippers
Also great if you want to convince yourself you “could have gone sub-3 if it wasn’t for that last gel.
Beachy Head Marathon – Saturday 25th October 2025
Forget PBs, this one’s about survival. A brutally beautiful off-road race across the South Downs, with enough climbs to trigger an existential dread. The route takes you past chalk cliffs, wind-swept hilltops, and spectators who look suspiciously comfortable sipping tea in deckchairs. You’ll curse it mid-race and then bore everyone about it for years after.
- Entry fee: £64.99 (until 31 August)
- Why go? Glorious views, massive hills, and a proper badge of honour
Legs will burn, but so will the pride when you earn that medal (and possibly a scone if you're lucky).
Lisbon Marathon – Saturday 25th October 2025
Start in stylish Cascais, run along the glittering coastline, and finish in Lisbon’s modern Parque das Nações, ideally just in time for a pastel de nata and a lie-down. There’s music, sunshine, and more bridges than you thought Lisbon had. It’s a solid choice if you like your marathons with Vitamin D and slightly smug seaside selfies.
- Entry fee: €99
- Why go? Sun, sea, and an excuse to overuse the word "picturesque"
Pro tip: pack sunscreen and don’t start too fast, it’s flat, but so is a bottle of Vinho Verde if you open it the night before.
Röntgenlauf Remscheid – Sunday 26th October 2025
A hidden gem in Germany’s hilly heartland. You won’t get crowd barriers and TV cameras here—just proper autumn trails, peaceful forest views, and the occasional runner in a woolly hat who looks like they’ve done this for 20 years. There’s a choice of distances, and the ultra’s there if you hate yourself.
- Entry fee: €40–60
- Why go? Low-key charm, trail serenity, and maybe even some homemade cake at the finish
Best suited to those who like their marathons quiet, their hills rolling, and their post-race food served out of a camper van.
Casablanca International Marathon – Sunday 26 October 2025
Want something different? Get yourself to Morocco for a coastal-city marathon full of colour, rhythm, and that lovely feeling of “wait, did I just run past a camel?” The field is friendly, the weather warm (but not boiling), and the medal actually looks decent enough to wear through customs.
- Entry fee: €TBD
- Why go? Change of scenery, city buzz, and a proper “I went somewhere” story
Bring sunglasses. And humility. You’re not heat-trained. But you will feel like an absolute legend at the finish line.
So, Which Will It Be?
- Want to chase a PB like it owes you money? Frankfurt.
- Want to be humbled by a hill with a name like Bostal? Beachy Head.
- Want to run in sunglasses and lie about your pace over sangria? Lisbon.
- Want trails, peace, and the sound of your own wheezing in the woods? Remscheid.
- Want a proper adventure? Casablanca, no question.