The 10 fastest marathon courses in the world
Here is a list of some of the fastest marathon courses in the world favoured by runners when chasing personal bests and world records.
Athletics
What makes a marathon course quick?
The first thing is the terrain, with few or zero hills and inclines, so runners don’t lose time and energy on the ascents.
Flat courses have helped make Berlin, Valencia, and Chicago, where the current men’s marathon world record was set in 2023, among the world’s fastest marathons.
Weather is also a contributing factor, plus altitude, and the depth of the elite field of runners entered for the races.
Below is a list of some of the fastest marathon courses in the world, favoured by runners when they are chasing personal bests and world records.
Berlin Marathon
The Berlin marathon, normally held every September, has become synonymous with world records.
With 13 world records set across the men and women’s elite races, Berlin has the highest number of world records over the marathon than any other course. Nine of the world records set in the German capital are held by men and four by women.
Double Olympic champions Haile Gebrselassie and Eliud Kipchoge are the only two athletes who have twice set world records in Berlin.
The pioneering world record holder from the Berlin course was Germany’s Christa Vahlensieck who clocked 2:34:48 to win the women’s race in 1977. It wasn’t until 1998 when Brazilian Ronaldo da Costa raced to the first men’s world record in Berlin of 2:06:05.
The current women’s world record of 2:11:53 was also set there by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa.
Valencia Marathon
The usually mild weather in December and a super flat course has made Valencia a favourable stop for runners looking to improve their personal records.
The late Kelvin Kiptum set the men's course record of 2:01:53 here two years ago. That time still stands as the fastest men's debut in history.
And the fifth-fastest time ever in the women’s marathon was Amane Beriso’s winning time in the sunny Spanish seaside city, of 2:14:58 in 2022.
Chicago Marathon
The Chicago marathon conditions have made it a historical world record course.
Six of the fastest times ever, for both men and, women, have been run at Chicago, the last being the mind-boggling men’s world record of two hours and 35 seconds by Kenyan Kiptum.
Before him, there were two other world records broken on the lopped course that starts and ends at Grant Park.
Welsh athlete Steve Jones was the first man to enter the world record books in Chicago with his winning time of 2:08:05 way back in 1984, and then Moroccan born American runner Khalid Khannouchi lowered it in 1999.
Catherine Ndereba, Paula Radcliffe, and Brigid Kosgei broke the women’s record in Chicago between 2001 and 2019.
London Marathon
After Berlin and Chicago, London is the third World Marathon Major course that also makes the fast courses shortlist.
It’s a relatively new marathon, as the first London Marathon was held in 1981, but it has since grown in stature and popularity, with the world records beaten there, seven times.
Like Berlin and Chicago, men’s and women’s world records have been set in London, including the current women's mark set by Peres Jepchirchir in April 2024.
Norway’s Grete Waitz was the first women’s London Marathon world record holder in 1983, and was followed by compatriot Ingrid Kristiansen, Radcliffe, and Mary Keitany.
Khannouchi is the only man to set a world record at the London Marathon of 2:05:38 in 2002.
Tokyo Marathon
The superfast and level course has made the Tokyo Marathon, another of the World Marathon Majors, a favourite for the elites.
There are a handful of rolling hills, but nothing too high or lengthy that can cause major elevation losses or gains. The race even starts with a gradual downhill.
Former marathon world record holder Kipchoge raced there twice, including when he set the course record of (2:02:40) in 2021.
Seville Marathon
The Seville marathon may not attract the all-time greats in the marathon due to its timing in February, but the winter warmth offers runners some great conditions for fast times.
It’s a mostly flat course and at sea level, making it popular for runners looking to better their times and secure spots in one of the six World Marathon Majors.
Frankfurt Marathon
Another German city marathon that has established itself as fast thanks to its flat terrain and top-quality runners, is Frankfurt.
It’s average finishing time of 3:57:56 makes it slightly faster than the famous world recording course of Berlin, where runners usually cross the finish line way over four hours.
Two former world marathon record holders, Kenyans Patrick Makau and Wilson Kipsang, won races there in impressive times.
Infact, were it not for the winds and the rains, Kipsang could have lowered the world record in Frankfurt in 2011 with his 2:03:42.
His time, which was just four seconds off the world record mark, still stands as a course record.
Dubai Marathon
Dubai has all the makings of a fast marathon. It’s a hill free course at sea level, with runners racing on a straight stretch of roads.
Being a January race, when the Desert heat and humidity is bearable, and doesn’t always attract top and competitive fields due to its timing at the start of the year.
But those who have made it to the start lines have been able to produce some fast times, even for marathon debutants.
In 2024, Tigist Ketema of Ethiopia broke the record for fastest marathon debut in 2:16:07, shaving more than a minute off the course record.
Milano Marathon
Most marathoners seeking fast races to better their personal records always pick the loop course of the Milano Marathon.
Pleasant temperatures on a generally even and easy course, has made the Italian race ideal for elites seeking a spring marathon with its April dates.
Rotterdam Marathon
Three world records have been set at the Rotterdam Marathon, with the runners taking advantage of the quick and fast course in normally overcast and cold conditions.
Portuguese star Carlos Lopes was the pioneer world record holder in 1985 on the course with his winning time of 2:07:12.
Two years later, Belayneh Dinsamo bettered the men's world record to 2:06:50. Tegla Laroupe was the only woman to set a world record in Rotterdam in 1998.