Sep 4, 2025
The 12 Fastest Marathons in Europe
The 12 Fastest Marathons in Europe: data-backed vs reputation-based
The “fastest marathon” lists obsess over world records and elite magnets - hello Berlin, Valencia, London - so the same seven races get recycled. That’s useful for hype, not always for your own PB. Switch the lens to average finish time and depth of sub-3s and you’ll uncover a few “hidden gems” (Vienna, Odense) that quietly punch above their weight for serious amateurs. Below are two tiers curated by the team at Kaizen: data-backed fastest, and reputation-based fast.
Tier One: Data-backed fastest
Berlin Marathon (Germany)
When: Last Sunday of September — Sun, 21 Sept 2025.
Where: Berlin (start Straße des 17. Juni; finish near Brandenburg Gate).
Field size: ~47,912 finishers (2024).
Average finish: ~4:09:44 overall (Men ~3:59:48, Women ~4:28:46). (Note: your earlier 4:07 figure understated)
Sub-3 depth: ~4,500+ in 2024 (community tally).
Entry: €200, lottery only.
Qualifying: No time standard (lottery + select pathways).
Start time: Mass waves from 09:15.
PB potential: The template: flat, wide roads, immaculate pacing, cool temps, full-city roar.
What it costs to do (ballpark): €900–€1,600 long weekend (entry €200 + flights €150–€400 from EU + 3 nights hotel €300–€800 + food/metro).
In addition to the lottery, Berlin accepts “fast runners” with recent official marathon times (must be from AIMS/Abbott-listed races; typically within 2 years).
Qualifying times by band & sex (2025 registration info):
Men:
Up to 44 yrs < 2:45 · 45–59 < 2:55 · 60+ < 3:25.Women:
Up to 44 yrs < 3:10 · 45–59 < 3:30 · 60+ < 4:20.
Michael vs Josh go head-to-head here this year - we’ll share pacing plans, mistakes, fixes, and whether controlled aggression beats “banking time.”
Valencia Marathon (Spain)
When: Early December — Sun, 7 Dec 2025.
Where: Valencia (futuristic finish at City of Arts & Sciences).
Field size: 33,000 participants (2023).
Average finish: ~3:39 overall — unusually fast mass field.
Sub-3 depth: ~5,400 in 2023 — deepest in Europe.
Entry: €80–€180 by tranche; [official] moving to lottery from 2026.
Start time: 08:15 waves.
PB potential: Crisp weather, dead-flat course, elite-level pacing groups every 5 minutes.
What it costs to do: €650–€1,300 weekend (entry €80–€180 + flights €100–€300 + 3 nights €250–€700).
Vienna City Marathon (Austria) - hidden gem
When: Sun, 6 Apr 2025.
Where: Vienna (Reichsbrücke start; Rathausplatz finish).
Field size: 3,000–10,000 marathoners.
Average finish: ~4:00:01 overall — very fast mass average.
Sub-3 depth: ~5–10% of finishers (varies by year).
Entry: €135–€155 by tranche.
Start time: Waves from 09:00.
PB potential: Broad avenues, mild spring temps, and low congestion once you clear the bridge.
What it costs to do: €600–€1,200 weekend (entry €135–€155 + flights €100–€250 + 3 nights €250–€700).
H.C. Andersen Marathon / Odense (Denmark) - stat monster
When: Sun, 28 Sept 2025.
Where: Odense (flat city loop).
Field size: 2,000–3,000.
Average finish: 3:51:22 (2019) — among the fastest averages recorded globally. (Stat often cited; year-specific).
Entry: DKK 525–750 (€70–€100).
Start time: Morning start (check race week).
PB potential: Smaller field skews competitive; cool late-September air; minimal turns.
What it costs to do: €600–€1,000 (entry €70–€100 + flights €100–€300 + 2–3 nights €250–€600).
London Marathon (UK)
When: Sun, 27 Apr 2025.
Where: Greenwich to The Mall.
Field size: ~53,867 finishers (2024).
Average finish: ~4:27:16 (slow vs Berlin/Valencia due to huge mass field).
Entry: £69.99 (UK); ~£120 + £26 carbon levy (international).
Qualifying: Good For Age standards (varies).
Start time: Elites/wheelchair from 08:50; mass ~09:35.
PB potential: Electric, iconic - but crowd density drags the mass average. Pace discipline is everything.
Time needed: 18–20 weeks; practice bottle pickups & weaving.
What it costs to do: £700–£1,400 (€820–€1,640) weekend (entry + travel/accom).
Good For Age (GFA) standards (2026 event)
Eligibility: UK residents; qualifying window 1 Oct 2024 – 30 Sep 2025. Meeting the time lets you apply (places capped; fastest first).
Marathon qualifying times by age & sex:
Women:
18–39 < 3:38 · 40–44 < 3:43 · 45–49 < 3:46 · 50–54 < 3:53 · 55–59 < 3:58 · 60–64 < 4:23 · 65–69 < 4:53 · 70–74 < 5:53 · 75–79 < 6:13 · 80–84 < 6:38 · 85–89 < 7:10 · 90+ < 7:45.Men:
18–39 < 2:52 · 40–44 < 2:57 · 45–49 < 3:02 · 50–54 < 3:07 · 55–59 < 3:12 · 60–64 < 3:34 · 65–69 < 3:52 · 70–74 < 4:52 · 75–79 < 5:07 · 80–84 < 5:27 · 85–89 < 6:10 · 90+ < 7:20.
FYI: If your only qualifier is a virtual London (MyWay), you must also submit an in-person half marathon within the window (age-banded HM standards apply).
Tier Two — Reputation-based fast (still excellent PB shots)
Frankfurt Marathon (Germany)
When: Sun, 26 Oct 2025.
Where: City loop, finish in Festhalle.
Entry: €140–€160 depending on date; last-minute onsite similar.
Start time: ~10:00 (local).
PB potential: Cool, steady, unshowy logistics — Berlin-style speed without Berlin chaos.
What it costs to do: €700–€1,200.
Rotterdam Marathon (Netherlands)
When: Sun, 13 Apr 2025.
Where: Flat course; start at Erasmusbrug, finish Coolsingel.
Entry: ~€150 current rate.
Start time: 10:00.
PB potential: Dutch fast with serious pacing and raucous crowds; spring breeze can be a factor.
What it costs to do: €650–€1,100.
Amsterdam Marathon (Netherlands)
When: Sun, 19 Oct 2025.
Where: Start/finish Olympic Stadium.
Entry: €140 (sold out in 2025).
Start time: 09:00.
PB potential: Flat, crisp, international field; logistics are ace.
What it costs to do: €700–€1,200.
Seville Marathon (Spain)
When: Sun, 23 Feb 2025.
Where: Flat loop at sea level.
Entry: Historically ~€65–€85 tiers (2025 press/partners); [official rules now show 2026 pricing ≈€71].
PB potential: One of Europe’s flattest winter courses with cool temps; early-season fitness test.
What it costs to do: €600–€1,050.
Paris Marathon (France)
When: Sun, 13 Apr 2025.
Where: Champs-Élysées start, finish near Arc de Triomphe.
Entry: ~€130 early — Duo discounts exist; later tiers higher.
Start time: elites from 08:15; mass waves follow.
PB potential: Spectacle > speed for many due to density; still fast enough if you seed well.
What it costs to do: €800–€1,500.
Hamburg Marathon (Germany)
When: Sun, 27 Apr 2025.
Where: Flat urban loop, big crowds.
Entry: Tiers vary by tranche; (marathon sold out early in 2025).
Start time: ~09:30 typical.
PB potential: Germany’s biggest spring marathon — fast, organized, cooler temps.
What it costs to do: €650–€1,100.
Wachau Marathon (Austria) — scenic, sneaky fast
When: Sun, 21 Sept 2025.
Where: Danube-side, point-to-point through vineyards.
Entry: ~€70–€90.
PB potential: Net-neutral profile, cool mornings, low congestion.
What it costs to do: €550–€1,000.
Our dark horse pick — San Sebastián (Spain)
When: Sun, 23 Nov 2025.
Where: San Sebastián (fully urban, sea-level, very flat).
Entry: €49 promo early → €89 late registration.
PB potential: Late-autumn cool, lap-style focus. Add a Michelin binge after (Basque cheesecake mandatory).
Start time: 09:00 (2025).
What it costs to do: €600–€1,100.
When to book, train, and budget (quick rules)
Registration windows: Majors (Berlin, London, Paris, Valencia) open 9–12 months out and often use lotteries; have a Plan B locked. Berlin 2025 lottery ran Oct 7–Nov 21, 2024; fee €200 for successful entrants.
Training lead time: For a PB on a fast course, plan 16–20 weeks with steady mileage growth + threshold economy.
Start times: Most EU marathons begin 08:15–10:00 (Valencia 08:15; Berlin 09:15; London mass 09:35).
Total weekend cost: For EU-based runners, €600–€1,600 covers entry, flights, 2–3 nights, transport, and food. Majors skew high; smaller races are friendlier.
Photos (in order):
Photo by Niclas Dehmel on Unsplash
Photo by Jan Hrdlicka on Unsplash
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