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Founded in 1977, Grandma's Marathon has grown into one of the Upper Midwest's most celebrated summer road races, drawing elite competitors and thousands of recreational runners from across the U.S. and abroad. Traditionally run in June, the event retains a community-focused, festive atmosphere with strong volunteer support, live bands, and finish-line celebrations that showcase Duluth's lakeside charm. The race's name and spirit reflect its local roots and long history as a marquee destination marathon in the region. The point-to-point course begins in Two Harbors and follows scenic Highway 61 along the North Shore of Lake Superior before descending into Duluth, offering sweeping lake views, rocky shoreline vistas, and a mix of rolling terrain that rewards smart pacing. Runners experience iconic landmarks such as the Lakewalk and Canal Park in the final miles, finishing with a memorable approach beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge on Duluth's waterfront. Aid stations, crowd support, and well-organized logistics make the route both picturesque and race-ready for fast times or personal-first marathon experiences. Grandma's Marathon is USATF-certified and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it popular among athletes seeking qualifying times as well as those chasing a scenic summertime marathon. The event's combination of storied history, stunning lakefront scenery, and energetic local support creates an approachable yet competitive race experience for a wide range of runners.

The Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon is Norway's largest race run under the midnight sun, staged ~350 km above the Arctic Circle in Tromsø. The full marathon starts late in the evening (20:30) so runners cover the 42.2 km course in continuous Arctic daylight, with the sun never setting. The scenic out-and-back route crosses the iconic Tromsø Bridge and passes the Arctic Cathedral, drawing thousands of runners from dozens of nations each June. In 2027 the event also hosts the Norwegian Marathon Championship (NM i maraton).

A bucket-list marathon through Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, run along the Zambezi River with views of the Victoria Falls Rainforest and a crossing of the historic Victoria Falls Bridge spanning the border with Zambia. Established in 2008 (2026 was the 18th edition), the race is a World Athletics Label event and a qualifier for the Comrades Marathon. The course passes through the Zambezi National Park area, where wildlife sightings (elephants, baboons, occasionally buffalo) along the road are common, and finishers get a close-up view of the Falls' spray column ('Mosi-oa-Tunya' — the smoke that thunders). The event routinely sells out within weeks of entries opening and draws international runners on organized travel packages.