Ten Best First Time Marathons For Runners – Forbes Editor’s Choice

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1. London Marathon
   Long the world’s largest, it’s slipped to number two after New York, but takes itself much less seriously with many runners in costumes, an incredibly well organized start, a scenic and entertaining course
2. Paris Marathon
   Worth it just for the sites, like the Eiffel Tower, and it hard not to be pleasantly distracted in the City of Light
3. Honolulu Marathon
   A very inclusive and unintimidating favorite of first time marathoners, with the course kept open long after the winners have crossed the line
4. Chicago Marathon
   The nation’s second largest race, very flat, very well organized, and among the most enthusiastic crowds.
5. Philadelphia Marathon
   It is flat and fast and while Philly sports fans can be abrasive at pro events, they are famously enthusiastic and perfect as marathon spectators.
6. Marine Corps Marathon
   This perennial favorite winds starts by the Pentagon, goes through Virginia and the District of Columbia, along the Potomac and past all the major monuments, and has a very uplifting emotional vibe.
7. Las Vegas Marathon
   Vegas never sleeps so this race is run in the dark, starting at 4PM. The pros are a flat course, live bands for distraction, and the city itself, starting and ending at Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip
8. Arizona Marathon
   Flat, good weather, and the bands playing along the route provide much needed distraction at this festive race.
9. Walt Disney World Marathon
   There is a reason they call it “the happiest place on earth.” Like all of Florida, the course it is dead flat, and while parts are fairly boring, the race is always full of energetic first timers.
10. New Orleans Marathon
    Flat, incredible spectators, colorful participants, and there is no better post-race celebration on earth than in “The City that Care Forgot.”

Source: Forbes