THE 10 EASIEST MARATHONS IN THE WORLD FOR SCORING A PB, ACCORDING TO DATA – AND ONE IS IN THE UK!

Before we get into things, we’ll say this: the words ‘marathon’ and ‘easy’ are rarely considered synonymous. Even if you’ve conquered many 26.2-mile events already, covering that distance on foot is always going to take its toll on both your body and your mind. Still, some marathons are less arduous than others – and if a fast finish time is on your agenda, you’ll do well to pick a race that is as flat, fair-weathered and speed-friendly as possible.

‘So what are these magical PB-producing races?’ you ask. Thankfully, Puregym’s Marathon Difficulty Index, which ranks official marathon events around the world from toughest to easiest, is now here to answer this query. Here are the top 10 races to put on your radar.

The 10 easiest marathons in the world

To create its Marathon Difficulty Index, Puregym crunched environmental and performance data from more than 100 marathons around the globe. Specifically, for each race, it measured metrics including elevation gain, maximum altitude, typical race day temperatures, average wind speed and average finish timeswho would . Each factor was assessed individually, then combined into a total difficulty score.

The higher a marathon’s index score, the tougher the physiological demands that it places on runners – so the marathons listed below all have the lowest scores. All data is accurate as of February 2026.

1. Osaka Marathon

• Country: Japan
• Index score: 10.98

Held in the crisp wintry conditions of late February on a near-pancake-flat course, this Japanese marathon is, according to Puregym’s analysis, the easiest marathon in the world, making it a popular venue for both elite and amateur runners pursuing fast times. The route starts and finishes beside the city’s greatest landmark, Osaka Castle, and features several switchbacks along the way, so you’d better practice your Japanese U-turn technique to make sure that you don’t lose too much time on those tight corners.

2. Bratislava Marathon

• Country: Slovakia
• Index score: 11.97

Boasting a beautiful old town and basically no ascents or descents, the heart of Bratislava is the perfect venue for a fast, flat marathon, which makes this race – despite being one of the lesser-known ones on this list – an exceedingly good choice for runners who don’t want to throw themselves in the deep end. Even better, you can always introduce some elevation post-race by exploring some of Slovakia’s breathtaking mountains, caves and medieval castles – if your legs can handle it, of course.

3. Milan Marathon

• Country: Italy
• Index score: 12.67

Attracting around 40,000 runners each year and again held in the mild month of April, this Italian race is a real gem that produces plenty of sparkly PBs each year. An effortlessly elegant city at the best of times, boasting everything from intricate Gothic cathedrals to swish modern skyscrapers, Milan puts on a stellar show on race day.

4. Houston Marathon

• Country: US
• Index score: 13.72

There’s a reason this marathon is a hotspot for elites – it’s a fast one. Effectively elevation-free and held in January to make the most of colder running conditions, this race is a strong option for those who want a stateside alternative to the equally flat but oversubscribed Chicago Marathon in October.

5. Seville Marathon

• Country: Spain
• Index score: 13.88

Held in February, the Seville Marathon demands a tough training block through the dark depths of winter if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. But never lose hope, because this race is worth it. Vibrant and well-supported but not overwhelming, this fun Spanish race offers a wonderfully flat course and just-right weather – and Seville’s orange-laden old town is a stunner.

6. Battersea Park Marathon

• Country: UK
• Index score: 15.45

If you love the mindless monotony of laps – as in, 10 of them – and will happily stick to London for your marathon PB attempt, hit up the Battersea Park Marathon. Held in October, which is arguably peak marathon season in the UK, it’s a welcoming and smaller-scale race around the flattest park in the capital.

7. Valencia Marathon

• Country: Spain
• Index score: 15.52

One of the most in-demand races in the world, the Valencia Marathon is a no-brainer for this list. Specifically engineered to have as few turns and as little elevation change as possible, the speedy route also skirts some the best parts of the city, including the coastline, the old town and, of course, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex.

8. Berlin Marathon

• Country: Germany
• Index score: 15.58

The only Abbott World Marathon Majors race in the top 10, the Berlin Marathon makes the cut for a reason, having hosted 13 official marathon world records – 10 male, three female – since its first edition in 1974. Excepting the anomalous 2025 race, which was beautifully warm for spectators and unbearably hot for runners, this marathon is also commonly blessed with cool autumn conditions thanks to its late September date. But just remember this: the Brandenburg Gate is not the finish line...

9. Hannover Marathon

• Country: Germany
• Index score: 15.61

We’re staying in Germany for number nine. Although it doesn’t quite carry the same prestige as the Berlin Marathon, the springtime Hannover Marathon is an attractive venue for PBs and part of a full running festival encompassing various (niche) events, including a 4.2km run and Nordic walking half marathon.

10. Rome Marathon

• Country: Italy
• Index score: 15.72

When in Rome... you run a marathon, of course. This race is flat, beginner-friendly and a brilliant opportunity to spy some of the city’s finest ancient landmarks, including the iconic Colosseum near the start line. Besides, being in the epicentre of Italy, the pre-race carb loading options that you’ll have at your disposal will be off the charts. Buon appetito!

2026-04-09T07:03:48Z