From professional runners to those just starting out, there are plenty of people in Europe who are keen to conquer a marathon. With Google search volume for ‘half marathons’ surging by 108% in the past three months and nearly 6.2 million people in England participating in running in 2023, the sport’s popularity has surged. But which races are truly the best in Europe, and which ones are the easiest, and the most challenging, to take on?
To find out, VegasSlotsOnline carried out research to find out which full marathons in Europe are the best, and the most challenging, analysing metrics such as the elevation gain, race ratings, average rainfall and Google search volume for each race.
You can view the full research here: https://www.vegasslotsonline.com/news/2024/09/25/the-ultimate-running-race-the-best-half-and-full-marathons-in-the-uk/
The London Marathon is the best full marathon in Europe, with 110,000 Google searches in the past year
The London Marathon tops the ranking with a 4.74 race rating, showing the majority of participants are happy with the quality of the race. The marathon also has excellent pre-event communication (4.80 out of 5), and course navigation (4.85 out of 5), despite a challenging 597-foot elevation gain. The race is also the most in-demand marathon in Europe, with 110,000 Google searches.
A spokesperson at VSO comments: “As more people embrace a healthier and more active lifestyle, the competition to secure a spot in popular running events has become tougher than ever. For example, the 2025 TCS London Marathon received a staggering 840,318 applications, with only around 20,000 ballot places thought to be available. This means applicants faced just a 2.4% chance of successfully securing a spot for the following year’s race.”
Despite a lower Google search volume of 12,100 in the last year, the Barcelona Marathon follows closely behind in second place. This marathon, taking place in the heart of the Spanish city, has a slightly easier 449-foot elevation gain and a race rating of 4.56 out of 5.
Taking third place is the Berlin Marathon, with a 347 foot elevation gain, a high race rating (4.36 out of 5) and an impressive Google search volume of 90,500 in the past year.
| Rank | Marathon | Elevation gain | Race rating | Pre-event communication | Course navigation | Avg. no. of rainy days | Avg. temperature | Google search volume (12 months) |
| 1 | London Marathon | 597 | 4.74 | 4.80 | 4.85 | 9 | 9.4 | 110,000 |
| 2 | Barcelona Marathon | 449 | 4.56 | 4.33 | 4.71 | 5 | 10.9 | 12,100 |
| 3 | Berlin Marathon | 347 | 4.36 | 4.26 | 4.85 | 7 | 15.5 | 90,500 |
| 4 | Frankfurt Marathon | 347 | 4.54 | 4.14 | 4.57 | 8 | 10.9 | 27,100 |
| 5 | Midnight Sun Marathon | 763 | 4.68 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 12 | 7.8 | 5,400 |
The Lisbon Marathon is the hardest full marathon in Europe, with a 1,335-foot elevation gain
The Lisbon Marathon is the most challenging race in Europe, with a staggering 1,335 foot elevation gain and a warm 18.7°C average temperature adding to the difficulty. However, the marathon has a perfect course navigation score of 5 out of 5, meaning it’s easy to navigate the course despite the physical challenges.
The Vienna City Marathon, with a lower 580 foot gain, is the second-toughest due to a low navigation score of 3.50 out of 5 and an average temperature of 11.1°C.
The Stockholm Marathon, featuring a far more challenging 925-foot gain, moderate weather (14.8°C, eight rainy days), and a 4.60 navigation score, is the third most difficult race in Europe.
| The Hardest Full Marathons in Europe | |||||
| Rank | Marathon | Elevation gain | Course navigation | Avg. no. of rainy days | Avg. temperature (°C) |
| 1 | Lisbon Marathon | 1,335 | 5.00 | 7 | 18.7 |
| 2 | Vienna City Marathon | 580 | 3.50 | 7 | 11.1 |
| 3 | Stockholm Marathon | 925 | 4.60 | 8 | 14.8 |
The Barcelona Marathon is the easiest race in Europe, with a 449-foot elevation gain and a 4.71 out of 5 navigation score
In contrast, the Barcelona Marathon leads for easier races with a 449 foot gain, a high navigation score of 4.71 out of 5, and a mild 10.9°C temperature.
The London Marathon follows with a 597-foot gain, a 4.85 navigation score, and favourable weather. Taking third place for the easiest race in Europe is the Frankfurt Marathon, with a 347-foot gain and a 4.57 navigation score, making it one of the most accessible.
| The Easiest Full Marathons in Europe | |||||
| Rank | Marathon | Elevation gain | Course navigation | Avg. no. of rainy days | Avg. temperature (°C) |
| 1 | Barcelona Marathon | 449 | 4.71 | 5 | 10.9 |
| 2 | London Marathon | 597 | 4.85 | 9 | 9.4 |
| 3 | Frankfurt Marathon | 347 | 4.57 | 8 | 10.9 |
