This April if you feel like building your confidence as an expat and achieving a new goal, five popular expat destinations invite you to explore new places and make new friends via the challenge of taking part in a Marathon. Whether you are determined to make it to the finish line or be the race spectator cheering for others, being outdoors in your favourite city and joining the enthusiastic crowds will give you a new perspective of your host city.
Madrid Marathon
If you live in Spain, we recommend that you don't miss one of the country's primary athletic events taking place this coming Sunday in Madrid. This year, the EDP Rock ‘n' Roll Madrid Marathon is celebrating its 40th anniversary with over 20 live music performances on different stages and a festival, which will be awaiting the up to 15,000 participants at the finish line. The hilly route is passing through some of Madrid's most prominent tourist attractions, such as the Prado Museum, Real Madrid's historic stadium, Puerta del Sol square, the Royal Palace, and the Casa de Campo public park. Don't worry if you have skipped many of this year's training sessions — a 10 km race and a half-marathon are also taking place in this renowned Gold Label Road Race.
Marathon de Nantes
The Marathon de Nantes is taking place in the historical and sixth-largest city of France, which has been recognised for the good quality of life and its environmental and ecological efforts. The 42.195 km run has been happening every year since 1981, with 15,800 participants attending last year's event. If you are an expat in France and you have been looking for an opportunity to explore the cultural inheritance of Nantes, join this urban route, which takes you through the 13th-century castle of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the city's Cathedral, the remarkable Jardin des Plantes, home to about 10,000 species including a 220-year-old magnolia tree, and the artistic Machines de l'Ile.
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the world's most charitable sports events, with more than 36,000 participants running for a good cause or to raise funds for the charity of their choice and to help financially and morally those in need. As an expat in England, this is a great event to join people from all over the world in a major, outdoors fiesta where the competitive spirit meets entertainment and generosity. Take the chance to explore one of our favourite expat destinations via a running route that goes through London's city centre, and passes by the Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the London Eye.
Vienna City Marathon
For nine consecutive years, Vienna has been declared as the number one city for quality of living. But in Aprils, you have one more reason to be happy for being an expat in Austria's capital city — and that is the Vienna City Marathon, which has been taking place since 1984 to become Austria's largest road running event.
Leipziger Marathon
If you are an expat in Germany and wish to take part in a Marathon, which covers major historical sites, such as the Völkerschlachtdenkmal monument join the Leipzig Marathon. For the past four decades, Leipzig has been engaging its half million citizens in a sports celebration, as well as an exploration of some of the city's significant sights, such as the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and the Augustusplatz (one of Europe's largest square) in the city centre. Are you ready to enjoy your expat life one kilometre at a time?
Have you taken part in any Marathon recently or planning to take part? Please feel free to leave us a comment about your Marathon city.
