The Calgary Marathon has landed on a global list of the world’s most in-demand marathons, putting the long-running Canadian race alongside some of the sport’s most sought-after events.
The research, compiled by SportsShoes as part of its annual Running Report, looked at how difficult it is to secure a spot in races around the world. It compared Google search interest over the past year with the number of finishers at each event, creating a “demand score” based on how many people are searching for a race relative to how many spots are available.
Photo: Dave Holland/Calgary Marathon
A spot on the global list
Calgary ranked 20th overall, with 42.8 searches per finisher, based on 82,700 annual searches and 1,932 finishers in its most recent edition. That puts it among a mix of destination races and well-known international events.
Another Canadian race also made the list: the Niagara Falls International Marathon, which ranked 15th with a demand score of 45.6.
Servus Calgary Marathon. Photo: Angela Burger
A long-standing race in Calgary
First held in 1963, the Calgary Marathon has been part of the Canadian running calendar for decades. It has grown into one of the country’s largest road races, offering a full marathon, half marathon and shorter distances over a weekend that draws thousands of runners—17,000 runners participated in the 2025 events.
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The course runs through the city and along the Bow River pathway system, combining urban sections with long stretches of riverside running. It’s also known for being relatively flat, making it a popular choice for runners chasing a personal best or Boston qualifying time.
The top five
At the top of the rankings is South Africa’s Big Five Marathon, which recorded 444.4 searches per finisher. The race takes place in a private wildlife reserve, where runners share the course with animals like elephants and lions, and has a very limited field.
The Antarctic Ice Marathon sits second (346.5), followed by China’s Great Wall Marathon (193.1). Switzerland’s Zermatt Marathon ranks fourth (81.2) and the Boston Marathon in fifth at 75.9.