Napa Valley Marathon in Calistoga, Calif.

The Napa Valley Marathon is one of the few you can actually enjoy a little space at, literally—they only take 2,300 racers and the race starts on a small field. The race takes runners along the Silverado Trail on the east side of the valley, before turning south from Calistoga and heading down to Napa. As for the views, it’s wine country, so you’ll see vineyards, rolling hills and fruit trees everywhere.

Paris Marathon in Paris, France

They say Paris is best seen on foot, and you can see a lot of it while running! This race takes participants along the banks of the Seine and past some of the world’s most iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Place de la Bastille. Between 35,000 and 40,000 runners partake, running a loop that begins at the Champs-Élysées and ends near the Arc de Triomphe. For a little Parisian touch, marathon workers hand out red wine and cheese to racers at the Eiffel Tower.

Boston Marathon in Boston, Mass.

The Boston Marathon is one of the oldest and most respected. Getting in isn’t always easy: racers have to qualify with a time from another marathon within the previous year-and-a-half to get in. Taking place on Patriot’s Day, the race begins on the rural outskirts in Hopkinton and passes through several New England towns before finishing on Boylston Street in the middle of Boston.

Virgin London Marathon in London, England

This scenic race goes past some of England’s greatest sites including Big Ben, the Tower of London, the London Eye, across the Thames River and the Tower Bridge. Approximately 30,000 racers participate every year, making it one of the biggest races in the world. The route begins at Greenwich Park and winds through the city until the finish line at Buckingham Palace.

Big Sur International Marathon in Big Sur, Calif.

Anybody familiar with California geography will agree that this race runs along one of the state’s most beautiful coasts. Runners cruise along Highway One between Big Sur and Carmel, taking in stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The race typically sells out fast, so book early!

Vancouver Marathon in Vancouver, Canada

The Vancouver Marathon recently took on a new course that showcases the city’s gorgeous sites even better, like the unique neighborhoods, world-class parks and massive seawall. It’s another small marathon, accepting 5,000 racers. The route begins in Queen Elizabeth Park, passing through seven neighborhoods as well as the beaches at Spanish Banks and Stanley Park before ending in downtown Vancouver.

Mont St.-Michel Bay Marathon in Mont St.-Michel, France

This is the only point-to-point race in France, and participants can spot the finish line from the very beginning, all the way until the end. The route runs along the Normandy coastline from Cancale in Brittany to the impressive fortified island village of Mont St.-Michel in Normandy. The path is mostly flat, so views of the Bay of Mont St. Michel are easy to come by.

The Great Wall Marathon in Tianjin, China

Why not get in some serious exercise while visiting the world-famous Great Wall of China? But be prepared: the race is much longer than most because of the tremendous ascents and descents. The race begins near the village of Huangyaguan, a couple of hours northeast of Beijing, and goes directly to the Wall. Participants enjoy 360-degree views of the Chinese countryside.

The Big Five Marathon in Limpopo Province, South Africa

This is almost a part race, part safari, taking racers through the Entabeni Game Reserve where they can experience Big Five spottings. The terrain also makes it one of the toughest races with several hills and valleys, but it’s worth it to be inside this privately owned dreamland of wildlife and nature. Some racers have seen zebra, antelope and giraffe on their runs.

Athens Classic Marathon in Athens, Greece

One of the most historical cities on earth, this race begins on an ancient battlefield in the town of Marathon, near the Aegean Sea, and takes runners up towards Athens, which sits around 360 feet above sea level. The route is more than 2,500 years old, and runners are rewarded at the finish line at Panathinaiko Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896.