Asia has the marathons that make a better story than a finish time. You can climb 5,164 steps on the Great Wall of China, start a race in the dark in front of Angkor Wat, or run at more than 3,000 metres in the Himalayas. It also has some of the fastest and best-run big-city races in the world, including a World Marathon Major in Tokyo. If you’ve done your local races and want something harder, hotter or higher, these are the eight Asian marathons worth planning a trip around, in calendar order, with the dates, distances and cut-offs you need to know.
Asian marathons at a glance
| Race | Next date | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 4–6 Dec 2026 | Gold Label, finish in the National Stadium |
| Tokyo | 7 Mar 2027 | Asia’s World Marathon Major |
| Seoul | March 2027 (TBC) | Flat, cool, Platinum Label: PB territory |
| Great Wall | 15 May 2027 | 5,164 steps, 8-hour cut-off |
| Laguna Phuket | 12–13 Jun 2027 | Beach course, serious humidity |
| Angkor Empire | 8 Aug 2027 | Start and finish at Angkor Wat |
| Maybank, Bali | 2027 TBC (2026: 23 Aug) | Elite Label, rice fields and villages |
| Ladakh | 2027 TBC (2026: 10–13 Sep) | Altitude: up to 5,370 m |
Singapore Marathon
Now called the BYD Singapore International Marathon presented by adidas, Singapore’s big race runs over three days this year, from 4 to 6 December 2026. The 10K and 5K run on the Friday night, the half marathon at 4:30am on Saturday and the full marathon at 4:30am on Sunday. The course starts at the F1 Pit Building and finishes inside the National Stadium. More than 55,000 people took part across all distances in 2025, and it holds a World Athletics Gold Label, the only one in Southeast Asia.
The early start is there for a reason: it is hot and humid even before sunrise, so treat it as a heat race and pace accordingly. The marathon cut-off is seven hours. Entries for 2026 closed on 30 September, so if you missed out, the race has been held in early December, which makes it an easy one to plan a year ahead.
Tokyo Marathon, Japan
The Tokyo Marathon is Asia’s only Abbott World Marathon Major, and the 20th edition on Sunday 7 March 2027 will have a record field of 40,000. The course starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, takes in Asakusa and Nihonbashi, and finishes at Wadakura Gate near Tokyo Station. Organisers set a seven-hour limit and ask that entrants can finish within 6 hours 30.
Getting in is the hard part. Overseas runners enter a lottery (for 2027 it ran in August 2026, with an entry fee of US$230) or go through a charity place. The 2027 windows have closed, so if Tokyo is on your list, watch the official site from mid-2027 for the 2028 race.
Seoul Marathon, South Korea
If you want a fast time, Seoul is our pick. The Seoul Marathon (also known as the Dong-A Seoul Marathon; the official site is in Korean) is one of the oldest races in Asia: the 2026 race on 15 March was the 96th edition, and Ethiopia’s Haftu Teklu won it in a course record. It is a flat point-to-point course from Gwanghwamun Square to the Olympic Stadium at Jamsil, raced in cool mid-March weather, and it holds a World Athletics Platinum Label.
There is no lottery, but there is a catch: the marathon has a five-hour cut-off and asks for a sub-five-hour qualifying time. About 20,000 run the marathon and another 20,000 the 10K. The 2027 date had not been announced when we checked in October 2026; the race is always held in mid to late March, and international entries opened the previous July for the 2026 race.
Great Wall Marathon, China
The Great Wall Marathon calls itself the world’s most challenging marathon, and it has a case. First run in 1999 on the Huangyaguan section of the wall, it includes 5,164 stone steps, many of them uneven and steep, and the surface switches between asphalt, gravel and brick. There is a full marathon, a half marathon and an 8.5 km fun run, and the 2027 race is on Saturday 15 May.
Forget your usual marathon time. The cut-off is eight hours for every distance, and the gate back onto the wall at around 35 km closes at 2pm. The field is capped at 2,500, and international runners enter by booking one of the organiser’s travel packages. A late fee applies to 2027 entries after 15 March, and the official site asks runners to email if online booking isn’t working.
Laguna Phuket Marathon, Thailand
Combine a beach holiday with a race at the Laguna Phuket Marathon. The 2027 race is on 12 and 13 June: the 5K and 10K on the Saturday, the full and half marathon on the Sunday. The course starts and finishes at Laguna Grove in the northwest of the island and runs out through Baan Don and Thalang to Nai Yang Beach, returning via Layan Beach. The 2026 race was the 20th edition and drew more than 7,000 runners.
Don’t be fooled by the postcard. It is hot and very humid in June. Organisers have moved the 2027 marathon start to 3am to beat the heat, with a finish cut-off of 7 hours 30.
Angkor Empire Marathon, Cambodia
Few races have a start line like the Angkor Empire Marathon. The race starts and finishes in front of Angkor Wat and runs through the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, past temples, rice fields and villages. First held in 2014, it drew more than 6,000 runners from 51 countries in 2026. The 12th edition is on Sunday 8 August 2027, with a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 3K fun run.
August is the rainy season, so expect humidity, possible rain and sometimes heavy morning fog. The full marathon starts at 4:30am to get most of the running done before the heat. The same organiser also runs the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon if you’d rather go shorter.
Maybank Marathon, Bali (Indonesia)
Still known to many as the Bali Marathon, the Maybank Marathon held its 15th edition on 23 August 2026, with 14,100 runners from 46 countries. It is based at the Bali United Training Center in Gianyar and became the first Indonesian race to earn a World Athletics Elite Label, in 2020. There is a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and a wheelchair race, and the marathon starts at 4:30am local time.
The course runs through rice fields and villages, and the early start is about beating the heat. For Australians it is the easiest of these races to get to. The 2027 date hadn’t been announced when we checked in October 2026; organisers have said they are looking at spreading it over two days.
Ladakh Marathon, India
The Ladakh Marathon in Leh is the world’s highest AIMS-certified marathon, and altitude is the whole story. First held in 2012, its 13th edition ran from 10 to 13 September 2026 with 5,407 starters. Alongside the marathon, half marathon and shorter runs there are two ultras: the 72 km Khardung La Challenge, which crosses the Khardung La pass at 5,370 metres, and the 122 km Silk Route Ultra.
You can’t fly in and race. Organisers advise arriving at least 10 days early for the marathon and half, and 15 days for the ultras, to acclimatise. Entry to the Khardung La Challenge is by application with qualifying results, and organisers cap it at 300. The 2027 date hadn’t been announced when we checked; the race is usually held in the second week of September.
Closer to home: the TCS Sydney Marathon
Not in Asia, but worth a mention: the TCS Sydney Marathon is now the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, with a course from North Sydney across the Harbour Bridge to a finish at the Opera House. If you want a Major without the long flight, it’s the one.
Training for a destination marathon
Most of these races are about heat, hills or altitude rather than a flat, fast course, so build your plan around the conditions and set your goal time accordingly. All three of our marathon plans are free to download:
- 16-week beginner marathon training plan, with a free printable PDF
- 12-week marathon training plan (intermediate), with a free printable PDF
- Sub-4-hour marathon training plan, if you’re chasing a time in Seoul or Tokyo (free printable PDF)
More for marathon runners:
- How to train in the heat, for Singapore, Phuket, Angkor and Bali
- What is a good marathon time? The average by age
- How to prep for a running event one week out and what to eat on race day
- Why modern energy gels are easier to stomach
- Crack a sub-two half marathon in 12 weeks, if you’d rather run the half
- WTF is an ekiden? Japan’s marathon relay
- Melbourne Marathon 2026 results and the influencer who rode a bike in Berlin
FAQ
What is the hardest marathon in Asia?
For a standard marathon distance, the Great Wall Marathon: 5,164 steps and an eight-hour cut-off. For altitude, the Ladakh Marathon in Leh, which starts above 3,000 metres; its 72 km Khardung La Challenge crosses a 5,370 m pass.
Which Asian marathon is a World Marathon Major?
Only Tokyo. The other Majors are Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and, since 2025, Sydney.
Which Asian marathon is best for a PB?
Our pick is Seoul: a flat point-to-point course in cool March weather, with a World Athletics Platinum Label. Tokyo is the other fast option, if you can get through the lottery.
When do I need to enter?
Earlier than you think. Tokyo’s overseas lottery runs in August for the following March, Seoul’s international entries have opened in July, and Singapore closed at the end of September for its December race. The Great Wall Marathon adds a late fee after mid-March.
