Globetrotters: Traveling the World to Run in Marathons

Updated OnSeptember 9, 2013
Written by
Ellen Creager

Gilligan says half-marathoners are now a huge part of the business.

"We are finding that the half-marathon and marathon are a better combination," says Gilligan. "For Antarctica this year, we had a lot of non-marathoning spouses who walked the half-marathon in the time it took their spouse to run the marathon."

Berkowitz says marathon tourism has taken her places she'd never thought she would go. Like the Hogeye Marathon in Fayetteville, Ark., a place she enjoyed when she got there.

The only problem with being a marathon tourist?

"One day my friend turned to me as we were running," Berkowitz says, "and she asked, 'What state is this, anyway?'

Eight Great Runners' Trips (Pricing and information based on 2008 events.)

  • China: Great Wall Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10K. One-week trip includes airfare from San Francisco; $2,949 per person based on double occupancy. Marathon Tours and Travel (marathontours.com).

  • Chile: Easter Island Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10K. Eight-night trip includes airfare from Miami; $3,545 per person based on double occupancy. Includes nights on mainland Chile and on Easter Island. Marathon Tours and Travel (marathontours.com).

  • Kenya: Safaricom Marathon and Half-Marathon. One-week trip. Includes airfare from Amsterdam, $3,320 per person based on double occupancy. Marathon Tours and Travel (marathontours.com).

  • India: Great Tibetan Plateau Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K and 5K, July 14. 12-day trip includes airfare from Los Angeles; you also can add on extra tours of Indian sights. From $4,690 per person based on double occupancy. Kathy Loper Events (kathyloperevents.com).

  • Jamaica: Reggae Marathon and Half-Marathon, Negril. Three-night trip includes airfare; from Chicago it's about $600-$900 per person based on double occupancy, depending on hotel chosen. Marathon Tours and Travel (marathontours.com).

  • Dubai: Dubai Marathon and 10K. The one-week trip includes airfare from New York JFK. Prices not yet set, but this year it cost about $3,000 per person based on double occupancy. Marathon Tours and Travel (marathontours.com).

  • Alaska: Great Alaskan Maritime Marathon. Sponsored by Runner's World columnist John (The Penguin) Bingham, this cruise-based trip involves runs in Juneau, Sitka, on the cruise ship decks and more. Details to come. Book through Cruise Authority (gammcruise.com).

  • Antarctica: Antarctica Marathon, Half-Marathon. Prices not yet set, but reservations are being taken. The 2007 trip, with airfare from Miami, lasted 14 days for about $6,000 per person, based on double occupancy. Marathon Tours and Travel (marathontours.com).