Marathons are really having their time in the spotlight – there are currently over 1,100 held in the US each year! More and more Americans are lacing up their running sneakers to break personal bests, raise money for a worthy cause, or simply keep fit in a fun and social way. If you’ve never participated in a marathon, perhaps 2025 is your year to take on a new challenge!
With so many people hitting the pavement and giving it their all, we decided to carry out some research into which cities are the most obsessed with marathons. We did this by analyzing residence data for 290,000 participants in the top 10 most commonly attended U.S. marathons in 2024.
From there, we calculated what percentage of each city took part in these events, giving us a marathon obsession ranking by city. So, are you ready to find out if your city made the list? Load up on carbs and drink plenty of water, because we’re going to explore the U.S. cities that are the most obsessed with marathons.
The 5 Most Marathon-Obsessed Cities
Marathons offer a structured and competitive way to take part in a huge event. They’re as much a mental challenge as they are a physical one, not to mention that finishing in any place definitely gives you bragging rights. So, it’s no wonder that marathons are so popular, but which cities are the most obsessed with them?
1. New York City, New York – 3.15%
New York is home to one of the world’s most iconic races, the New York City Marathon. This incredible event draws over 50,000 runners each year from far and wide – many of the runners are locals, but others come from out of state or even make a trip across the pond to take part.
Winding through all five boroughs with unbeatable crowd support and electric city energy, this event makes New York a very popular place for marathons. And residents of New York City don’t just keep it local, as 3.15% of America’s top 10 most popular marathons in 2024 were run by NYC residents.
2. Boston, Massachusetts – 2.55%
Massachusetts is famous for running events thanks to the legendary Boston Marathon, the oldest annual marathon in the world. Runners come from all over just to tackle the infamous Heartbreak Hill and soak in the city’s deep-running pride in the sport.
The city is also well-known for its excellent beers, which are very popular with runners once they’ve passed the finish line. As for the USA’s top 10 most popular marathons, a whopping 2.55% of all participants were from Boston. Not bad!
3. Chicago, Illinois – 2.13%
Illinois is a great place for marathons, especially in Chicago, due to its flat and fast marathon course. The race is known for its lively atmosphere, diverse neighborhoods, and potential for personal bests, which is why it sells out fast every year.
With its pretty central location, the city and its state make it relatively easy to get to any marathon in the U.S. (although we recommend driving there rather than running). With this in mind, it’s no surprise that 2.13% of all participants from the 10 most popular marathons in 2024 were Chicago residents.
4. San Francisco, California 1.99%
California is celebrated for its sunshine, coastal views, and active lifestyle. These wonderful features combine to breed countless marathon maniacs, which is why the state hosts dozens of events from San Diego to San Francisco and everywhere in between.
The Big Sur Marathon, located along Highway 1, is often named one of the most scenic marathons in the world. With its dramatic ocean cliffs and the Bixby Bridge crossing, it's no wonder this destination is so popular. San Franciscans really do love to run, which is why 1.99% of participants in the top 10 marathons were residents of this city.
5. Seattle, Washington – 1.76%
Washington presents marathons that are absolutely perfect for nature lovers, with routes that showcase lush forests, mountain views, and waterfront paths. The Seattle Marathon, for example, pairs urban energy with beautiful Pacific Northwest landscapes, which even wet weather can’t spoil.
With 1.76% of all participants in the USA’s top 10 most popular marathons in 2024 coming from Seattle, it’s clear that residents of the Emerald City are marathon-obsessed.
Are You Obsessed With Marathons?
Marathons have become a significant part of American culture, with their popularity continuing to rise across the country. Events like the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon attract thousands of participants, showcasing not just athleticism but a shared passion for endurance and personal achievement.
We’ve also seen some interesting alternative versions emerge over the years, such as the rise of ultra-marathons, virtual races, and themed runs, which have broadened the appeal of running events to a more diverse range of participants.
As this love for endurance sports grows, many people are putting greater focus on their health, fitness, and wider lifestyle choices. It’s also sparked a trend of wellness tourism and heightened the appeal of corporate wellbeing programs, which help people to strike a healthier work-life balance.
Ultimately, a marathon represents more than just a race; it’s a reflection of a broader cultural shift towards pushing physical limits, embracing challenges, celebrating perseverance, and coming together for a shared experience.
For more coverage of events and key insight into trending sports, make sure to check out The Action Network news section for the latest updates.
Methodology
We analyzed participants from the top 10 most attended U.S. marathons in 2024. All data was sourced from MarathonGuide.com.
We pulled residence data for just under 290,000 participants.
From there, we calculated what percentage of each city’s population took part in these events, giving us a marathon obsession ranking by city.
Please note: This ranking reflects participation in the 10 most attended U.S. marathons of 2024, which may favor cities located near or strongly associated with those specific events.
