Learn The Kenyan Training Method →
News

Run Five, Earn the Title: Europe Unveils Ambitious Eight-City Marathon Challenge

Written by 
Matteo Sargenti

Published on February 26, 2026

0 Comments

Chasing a new marathon milestone in Europe just got easier: the European Marathon Classics links eight iconic races into one challenge. Run any five cities no time limit—and earn a buildable finisher medal, with past results set to count via verification later in 2026.

Run Five, Earn the Title: Europe Unveils Ambitious Eight-City Marathon Challenge

​​A new multi-city marathon series has officially launched in Europe, bringing together eight well-known races under one shared challenge.

​The European Marathon Classics was presented this week in Vienna and connects established marathons in Rome, Vienna, London, Madrid, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Lisbon, and Frankfurt.

​Organizers say the goal is to unite some of Europe’s most respected races while keeping each event independent.

​To earn the title of European Marathon Classics Finisher, runners must complete five of the eight marathons, each in a different city.

​There is no time limit. Participants can spread the races over several years.

​Registration for the series is free, but runners must still pay the standard entry fees for each individual marathon.

​Finishers will receive a medal designed to reflect their progress, with separate elements representing each completed race. Organizers also confirmed that past marathon results will count, with a verification system expected to launch later in 2026.

​The 2026 race calendar:

  • Rome -- March 22
  • Vienna -- April 19
  • London -- April 26
  • Madrid -- April 26
  • Copenhagen -- May 10
  • Warsaw -- September 27
  • Lisbon -- October 10
  • Frankfurt -- October 25

Join The Conversation

You Might Also Like

zion-just-became-the-first-us-national-park

Zion Just Became the First US National Park to Own an All-Terrain Wheelchair, and Every Other Park Is Now Behind

Zion is the first US national park to own an Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair for free public use. What the program covers, why it matters for adaptive athletes, and where guided trail runners fit in.

contact-lost-with-british-adventurer-ash-dykes

Contact Lost With British Adventurer Ash Dykes During Congo Basin Expedition

Welsh adventurer Ash Dykes and his crew have been out of contact for more than 16 hours on a 700 km kayak expedition down the Sangha River. What is known so far.

altitude-masks-for-amateur-runners

Altitude Masks for Amateur Runners: Do They Actually Do Anything?

You have seen the photo. A runner on a track wearing what looks like a Bane mask, mouth covered, valves clicking, chest heaving. The caption says altitude training. The claim is that the mask simulates 6,000 feet of elevation.

raising-money-for-alzheimer-s-association

26 Years Old, 26.2 Miles, on Her 26th Birthday: Raising Money for Alzheimer's Association

Kaileigh Sly did not set out to become the runner people would remember from the 2026 Akron Marathon. She just kept noticing the number 26.

david-cifaldi-hiked-10-miles-off-montana-s-highest-peak

Impaled by His Own Trekking Pole, David Cifaldi Hiked 10 Miles Off Montana's Highest Peak

David Cifaldi is 32 years old. He is an emergency room nurse. On July 20, 2026, he was crossing Montana's Froze-to-Death Plateau on his way to the summit of Granite Peak when he slipped on loose rock at around 11,800 feet.

how-much-money-the-2026-chicago-marathon-winner-earned

How Much Money the 2026 Chicago Marathon Winner Earned (and the $50,000 Amos Kipruto Missed by 34 Seconds)

Amos Kipruto earned $100,000 for winning the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:01:09, missing a $50,000 course record bonus by 34 seconds. Full purse breakdown.