Are you the kind of person who always takes your running shoes with you on vacation? Out of the hotel or apartment and into the surrounding area. But have you ever thought about combining your vacation with a marathon or other running event? In 2025, there will be some wonderful marathons in Southern Europe, some of which you can already register for. Below we present them to you – along with the right sustainable accommodation!

How long will I need to prepare for a marathon?

Before we look at the dates of the planned marathons in Italy and the Canary Islands, let’s take a quick look at how long you’ll need to prepare. Here are some guidelines:

• Regular runners: You already run several times a week and can run 60 minutes at a time? Then you can run a marathon in as little as three months. Four months would be even better, since most training plans are designed for 16 weeks.
• Athletes: You are active in sports, but your focus is not running? In this case, six to seven months is a good idea. Start by increasing your runs to 60 minutes and then try to maintain a pace, such as 10 mph. Then start the 16-week training plan at an appropriate goal time, such as 4 hours and 20 minutes (this means you must maintain the 10 mph pace the entire time).
• Unathletic: You currently do not exercise (or hardly exercise), but you would like to change that? You want to have a goal to work towards? You want to prove something to yourself? That’s great! Find a marathon date in twelve months, buy some good running shoes and start slowly (e.g. 20 minutes three times a week).

By the way: Even though marathon running is a high-performance sport, you are never too old to run a marathon. At 60, you’re still an excellent age for the fun! (There are marathon runners who are 85 years old or even 100 years old like Fauja Singh). Running a marathon is not only a matter of physical fitness, but also of willpower.

Advantages of running on vacation

Full concentration

The advantages of training while on vacation are obvious: your focus is completely on your own training and your own body. You don’t work and the (sustainable) hotels cares for the housework and cooking. All your energy goes into your own well-being. There is still time for your family or partner, for example, if you use the early morning hours for training and spend the rest of the day with your loved ones.

A different experience

When you run on vacation, you experience your destination in a different way. You see more, perceive your surroundings differently, and are likely to strike up a conversation with the locals from time to time. You also get to know the region in advance: How warm or cold will it be? What routes can I take? What are the conditions of the trails and roads?

These questions are essential, especially if you plan to participate in a local race. You can now find some answers in the following presentation of the different races.

Marathon Dates 2025 in South Tyrol

South Tyrol in northern Italy is an excellent destination for sustainable travel. You’ll find organic farming, nature reserves, car-free travel schemes and plenty of sustainable accommodation. There’s also a stunning panorama of the Italian Alps and plenty of forest trails. Challenging are the elevation gains, which we’ll get to in a moment.

Seiser Alm Half Marathon and Running Stage

Place: Compatsch | Date: July 6th, 2025 | Half Marathon

Running on the largest high alpine pasture in Europe is definitely one of the “must dos” of the scene. The course of the Alpe di Siusi Half Marathon leads through the wonderful nature of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites. Nature runners will be happy: Only the first three kilometers of the half marathon are on asphalt roads. The rest is on forest and hiking trails.

Arriving in advance is doubly rewarding. Not only will you be able to enjoy nature, but runners will also find ideal training conditions. On the Alpe di Siusi there is the Alpe di Siusi Running Park, which offers several running routes at different levels. The location between 1800 and 2300 meters above sea level is ideal for preparing for a marathon at high altitude or for targeted endurance training due to the oxygen-poor air.

Your sustainable hotel: Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel

The first vegan hotel in the Dolomites awaits its guests on the Alpe di Siusi. But it’s not just the plant-based cuisine that makes Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel unique. The pure concept also includes the interior design and the support of young, contemporary artists. Guests will regularly find new works from the art scene in the hotel, inspiring thought and conversation. An indoor/outdoor wellness area and regular yoga classes provide relaxation after the run.

Horn Attack and South Tyrol Ultra Skyrace

Location: Bolzano | Date: March 8, 2025 / Late August 2025 | Duathlon / Extreme Mountain Running

Several races take place on the Ritten in South Tyrol. The two most famous are the Hornattacke and the extreme mountain races under the name Südtirol Ultra Skyrace with different distances.

The Hornattacke (Horn Attack) is not a classic marathon, but a duathlon of almost 20 kilometers. The first part of the race is run, and the last 6.5 kilometers up to the Rittner Horn are covered on touring skis.

The Ultra Skyraces, with distances ranging from 28 to 119 kilometers, also start in Bolzano and take participants through challenging, high-alpine terrain. The centerpiece is the 63-kilometer course that leads from Bolzano over the Ritten and the Sarner Scharte to Sarntheim. The course is suitable for experienced mountain runners. The terrain is difficult in places and requires experience in alpine and high alpine terrain.

Your sustainable hotel: Hotel Weihrerhof

Just a few kilometers from the top station of the cable car in Oberbozen lies the Hotel Weihrerhof at the Wolfsgrubensee. Up here, time seems to pass more slowly. Perfect for relaxing days before and after a running event. In addition to regional specialties at the breakfast buffet and a multi-course dinner in the evening, an exclusive wellness area with signature treatments, in-house natural cosmetics, indoor pool and boathouse sauna awaits guests.

ADLER Lodge RITTEN Hiking Half Marathon

Location: ADLER Lodge RITTEN | Date: Early October 2025 | Half Marathon for Hikers

The half marathon for hikers organized by the ADLER Lodge RITTEN leads along the chestnut trail, which is lined with colorful chestnuts in October. In the tradition of the South Tyrolean “Törggelen”, the route passes rustic farm inns where guests and participants can enjoy roasted chestnuts, Schüttelbrot bread and other South Tyrolean specialties.

Before and after the adventure hike, the ADLER Lodge RITTEN offers a complete wellness package with massage, all-inclusive arrangement and spa area with forest sauna.

Marathon Dates in the Rest of Italy 2025

Milano Marathon – the top event for runners

Location: Milan | Date: April 6, 2024 | Half Marathon & Marathon

The most popular marathon in Italy is probably the Milan Marathon. Many think it’s Rome, but even though the Rome Marathon has been around for a while, it only has just under 10,000 runners, while Milan 2024 expects 20,000 participants! One reason: the Milan Marathon is considered “the fastest marathon in Italy” and the fifth fastest in the world. This is due to the fact that the course is absolutely flat and there are no climbs. This makes you run faster and many people achieve their personal best time! You will pass by the old town, Milan Cathedral, the city center, the Giuseppe Meazza stadium and the Teatro alla Scala opera house.

Your sustainable hotel: Hotel Milano Scala

Italy’s first zero-emissions hotel, the Hotel Milano Scala, is located directly on the marathon course, near the world-famous Teatro alla Scala opera house. Here you can train on the actual course before the race, and you are also centrally located in the city. There is time to relax on the beautiful roof terrace.

Tip: Registration for the Milan Marathon has already started!

Trail del Marchesato – challenging trail running event in Liguria

Location: Liguria | Date: 1 and 2 March 2025 | Trail running 16, 38 and 60 kilometres

Technical trails, limestone rocks, caves and constant views of the sea create a fascinating backdrop for the demanding Trail del Marchesato in Liguria. The run honours the late Ermano Fossati, a firefighter who died while on duty at the Melogno Pass.

Your sustainable hotel: Relais del Maro

In the hinterland, in the picturesque village of Borgomaro, you will find the Hotel Relais del Maro. The hotel is an Albergo Diffuso, which means it is spread over several houses in the village. This idea originated in Italy to protect small villages from decay, and in Borgomaro you will find a prime example of this type of accommodation. In the main house there is a swimming pool, breakfast buffet and cakes. Around the village you will find enough beautiful routes in nature for running and biking.

Marathon dates 2025 in the Canary Islands

Gran Canaria Maspalomas Marathon – the southernmost marathon in Europe

Location: Maspalomas, Gran Canaria | Date: Mid of November 2025 | Half Marathon & Marathon

The Maspalomas Marathon is the perfect mix of holiday and sporting event. It’s pleasantly warm here in November (expect around 25°C) and you run on a flat asphalt course with views of the sea and between palm groves. There are also pacemakers on the course – these are easily recognizable runners who maintain a certain running pace. You know: if I follow him or her, I’ll cover the 42 kilometers in a well-defined time (and if you have some breathing room at the end, you try to pass him/her on the home stretch). The finish line is located in an extraordinary dune landscape and there is a real party atmosphere around the race!

Your sustainable hotel: Casa León Royal Retreat

“Over the past few years, we’ve hosted a number of participants who have come to relax after the marathon,” says the boutique hotel. Tucked away in the countryside, the small hotel is the perfect oasis to unwind after the big action. There’s an outdoor pool and a large garden with native plants. There is also a gym to get ready for the race.

Tenerife Bluetrail – Ultra running event for everyone

Location: South of Santa Cruz, Tenerife | Date: March 27-29, 2024 | Ultra (102 km), Trail (66 km), Marathon (42.2 km), Media (21 km) and shorter races

The Tenerife Bluetrail is one of the most famous events on the island and the main event is the Ultra Marathon, where you run from south to north over a distance of 102 kilometers. You’ll cross the Teide National Park and run to the top of Mount Teide, where you’ll climb 3,550 meters! The whole thing is advertised as the “Run of the Titans” and starts at midnight.

A special feature of the race is that since its inception in 2011, it has made an effort to include as many people as possible. This initially applied to people with disabilities and has now been expanded. In addition to the top ultra, trail and marathon distances, there are a number of shorter trail runs and family runs.

Your sustainable hotel: OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel

North of Santa Cruz, right on the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel, a wonderful place for fitness, health and wellness. There are several pools, a gym, yoga classes, and after your run, you can indulge in soothing massages.

Important tips for running a marathon abroad

• Register for the race and book your accommodation early. Plan your travel so that it fits comfortably into your training schedule.
• Be aware of the altitude! If you are not used to high altitudes at home, give yourself a few days to acclimate and perhaps even schedule some altitude training.
• Check out the route beforehand (locally, via GPS data/experience reports, or via satellite imagery). Pay attention to gradients, surface and average temperatures during the run.
• Think about how you will get to the starting point on the day of the race. Is public transportation available? Does your hotel have a shuttle service?
• Plan to take a few days to recover after the race instead of going straight home. Your body and mind will thank you for it!
• Stick to your nutrition plan. If your body is used to cereal in the morning, don’t switch to hummus on race day!

My personal running tips

Finally, here are three running tips that two of my running coaches gave me that I still use to this day:

• Side stitches: Keep running and focus on your breathing: exhale three times, inhale once.
• Aches and pains: When you train hard, you’re bound to get a little sore here and there. “The body builds itself up,” my first marathon coach used to say. He wasn’t always right, because I’ve torn a muscle a few times, but you can’t throw in the towel every time you get a little sore!
• Motivation: If you are not so motivated, buy a new running shirt (or jacket, vest, bottle belt…) equipped with new products, it runs much better. By the way, for the sake of sustainability (and your wallet), buy everything used rather than new (running shoes are the only thing you should buy new).

I hope I have given you some useful information and that you have chosen a suitable run – please let me know in the comments which one it is. Maybe I’ll see you there 😉

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