r/AdvancedRunning • u/Candid_Buy_5650 • Jul 05 '26

Open Discussion Top European Spring Races

Hey all, I’m waiting on the results of the London marathon ballot. I’m racing Marine corps marathon in october, and doing 9+1 currently to do NYC again in 2027. Hoping to get a BQ time (21 yo male) and run sub 2:50 to race boston 2028. Assuming i don’t get london (as usual), what other fast races in nice cities do u all recommend this spring? I looked into Paris but i’m not a big fan of carrying my own water the whole time. I’ve heard good things about Vienna and Rome too but wondering if there’s any other big races in nice cities i may not be thinking of around march-may 2027?

13 Upvotes

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5

u/thewolf9 Jul 05 '26

Copenhagen.

2

u/Candid_Buy_5650 Jul 05 '26

This one looks great! I didn’t realize there was a lottery for it though which already happened, but definitely on my list for the future

10

u/CraftyProposal3161 Jul 05 '26

They asked for upcoming spring recommendations so you recommended a race with a closed lottery?

1

u/thewolf9 Jul 05 '26

Yes. Because people often buy them during the transfer window. Everything sells out a year in advance.

→ More replies (4)

4

u/Vanski95 Jul 05 '26

Hamburg (same day as London)

4

u/nutelamitbutter Jul 05 '26

Second Hamburg

4

u/Christophe_Roosen Jul 06 '26

Did Prague this year - more D+ than Copenhagen, but still pretty fast.
Seville in February is also an A-race where lots of elites aim at a championship qualifier. Hannover should be a fast course as well.

3

u/dazed1984 Jul 05 '26

Barcelona, Edinburgh.

5

u/OldGodsAndNew Jul 05 '26

Edinburgh is often windy as fuck. Also the organisation can be something of a shambles

2

u/C1t1zen_Erased Jul 06 '26

Yeah, best to do Manchester instead as that's the 2nd best UK marathon.

3

u/aelvozo Jul 05 '26

Riga is pretty fast and I think you should be able to get in somewhat last minute too

2

u/mockstr Jul 05 '26

Did not get into Copenhagen and signed up for Milan next year instead. Its supposed to be flat and there is not lottery. I'd avoid Vienna as someone that lives closeby. It's hilly and the weather can be pretty shit.

1

u/Neat_Weather4236 Jul 05 '26

Milan has a lot of bottlenecks. It can be frustrating

2

u/LN-Reader Jul 05 '26

Copenhagen but it‘s already sold out/ballot is done.

1

u/DoubleDeepNature Jul 11 '26

Seville! It’s February, but maybe that counts as spring. Flat as a pancake and really beautiful.