THE BIGGEST RACES TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR THIS AUTUMN

Published: 04/09/2026 | By: Will Sendel

Autumn is race season, and the biggest in the world are almost here. From the streets of Berlin to the five boroughs of New York, the next few months are packed with bucket-list races for runners across the globe.

The beauty of race season is that no two races are the same. Some are built for speed; some are all about the atmosphere and others are designed to test your limits. With some huge races coming up between September and December, there’s plenty to get excited about.

Whether you're there for the atmosphere, taking on a new challenge or watching the best in the world go head-to-head, these are the races you need to know about. So, lace up and get these dates in the diary.

GREAT NORTH RUN – 13 SEPTEMBER

You can't talk about the UK's biggest running events without mentioning the Great North Run. Returning on 13 September for its 45th edition, the iconic half marathon brings over 60,000 runners to the North East for the point-to-point journey from Newcastle to South Shields.

It's the kind of race where the crowd is almost as important as the course, with the famous Geordie welcome creating an atmosphere that has made it one of the biggest events in the running calendar. If you’re just getting into running or want to experience great vibes, this is one to have on your radar.

SAUCONY RUN SHOREDITCH HALF – 20 SEPTEMBER

A new race is joining London's half marathon scene. The Saucony Run Shoreditch Half takes place on 20 September, graduating from the 10K event that launched in 2025 to a full 13.1-mile race.

Starting and finishing at Shoreditch Park, the event comes from the team behind the Hackney Half and promises the same kind of big-city energy with live music, cheer zones and an event village adding plenty of atmosphere around the running.

BERLIN MARATHON – 27 SEPTEMBER

If you’re planning a fast marathon, Berlin needs to be part of the conversation. The BMW Berlin Marathon returns on 27 September, with the race starting and finishing on Straße des 17, near the Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin has a reputation for speed, helped by its quick course and history of world-record performances, but there’s more to it than watching the clock. The route takes runners through the German capital before delivering one of the best finishes in marathon running, with the Brandenburg Gate waiting at the end. If you want to see just how fast 26.2 miles can be run, Berlin is the one for you.

CHICAGO MARATHON – 11 OCTOBER

Chicago is another one for you if you’ve got a PB in your sights. The 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon takes place on 11 October, starting and finishing in Grant Park and taking runners through 29 of the city's neighbourhoods.

The course is famously flat, but it’s the atmosphere that makes Chicago special. About 1.7 million spectators are expected to line the route, giving runners support from start to finish. Add in one of the world's great cities as the backdrop and you've got a marathon that delivers the full experience, whether you're racing for a time or soaking in the vibes.

ASICS LDNX 10K – 11 OCTOBER

There's another big race happening on the same day as the Chicago Marathon, but in London. The ASICS LDNX 10K returns to Wembley on 11 October after its debut in 2025, with a closed-road course and 10,000 runners expected to take part.

The event is built around more than just the 10K itself, with live music, entertainment and an indoor start line helping to give it a proper event-day feel. If 26.2 miles isn't quite your thing, Wembley offers a shorter but no less energetic way to get involved in autumn race season.

DUBLIN MARATHON – 25 OCTOBER

Closer to home, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon brings the marathon buzz to the Irish capital on 25 October. The route takes in some of Dublin's most iconic spots, including Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Phoenix Park, but it’s all about the city-centre atmosphere.

It’s not a case of running through a postcard, either. The course mixes flatter stretches with some tough climbs, then the route through Phoenix Park gives runners a change of scenery before the final push towards the finish. And with Irish National Marathon Championships taking place within the race, there’ll be plenty of competition.

NEW YORK CITY MARATHON – 1 NOVEMBER

Few cities have the same aura as New York. The TCS New York City Marathon returns on 1 November, taking runners through all five boroughs before the finish in Central Park.

This year's race is an especially big one, marking the 50th anniversary of the course. From Staten Island and Brooklyn through Queens and the Bronx before the final stretch into Manhattan, it's a marathon that involves the entire city. The crowds, the bridges, the landmarks and the final run through Central Park make NYC one of the world’s greatest.

ATHENS MARATHON – 8 NOVEMBER

Some marathons have history, but none so much as Athens. The Authentic takes place on 8 November, following a route that begins in Marathon - where the sport takes its name from - and finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.

This is the race for runners who want a little more than a fast course. It’s a historic route following the world’s first marathon and delivering one of the most spectacular finishes in the sport. Running into the Panathenaic Stadium - the historic marble stadium that hosted the first modern Olympic Games - is the kind of moment that makes you forget the aches and pains of your journey there.

HOKA 10K PARIS CENTRE – 15 NOVEMBER

Paris gets a place on the calendar in November, with the HOKA 10K Paris Centre taking over the French capital on 15 November. The race starts on Rue de Rivoli before taking runners past iconic parts of Paris, including Boulevard des Italiens, Place des Victoires and Boulevard Haussmann, before the big finish on Avenue de l'Opéra. It's a flat 10K with a proper sightseeing bonus – although with the clock running, you'll probably want to save the full tourist mode for afterwards.

VALENCIA MARATHON – 6 DECEMBER

As the year winds down the competition heads to Spain for the Valencia Marathon on 6 December. If you're looking for a big finish to your year, this one should be on your radar. The course is largely flat and at sea level, taking runners along wide avenues and through Valencia's historic centre before finishing beside the City of Arts and Sciences.

Valencia has become a destination for runners chasing PBs, and the 2026 race already has an elite field with Yomif Kejelcha and Medina Eisa Tesfay among the names announced. If you’re hoping to watch the world's best battle it out, Valencia is a cracking way to round off the marathon calendar.

READY FOR RUNNING SEASON?

From the Great North Run in September to Valencia in December, the run up to 2027 is packed with races worth getting excited about. Whether you’re chasing a PB, taking on your first big event or just looking for your next reason to lace up, there’s something for every kind of runner. We’re ready for race season – are you?