How to Choose Your First Marathon (the boring but smart way)

So you want to run a marathon? Maybe you watched the Boston or London marathon this week, or your social media feed just exploded with joyous photos and inspiring stories from the finish line of one of these World Marathon Majors or a big local race. Those runners look so proud and happy; the atmosphere seems electric. 

This leaves you wondering: “Could I do it too?”

Short answer: YES! You absolutely can.

But before you hit “Complete registration,” take a moment.

The emotions and FOMO you’re feeling are powerful motivators, even when you’ve never run a marathon before. This moment of inspiration is what gets you to sign up. But it’s not what carries you through months of training, early alarms, the increasing fatigue in your legs and long runs in questionable weather.

Running a marathon is hard. Training for one is even harder. Choosing the right race won’t make it easy — but it will make training more enjoyable, the race more meaningful, and having a positive experience more likely.

Here’s a simple (if slightly Type A) way to choose your first marathon.

Start a shortlist and do some research, listing the following for each race you’re interested in:

1. Time and training schedule

2. Location / travel

3. Course and race size

4. Motivation / meaning

 Let's break it down.

1. Marathon training takes a significant amount of time.

Picking a marathon with your kids’ school calendar in one hand seems like a really boring way of doing it, but marathon training takes serious time and dedication. Many runners get so focused on their dream of crossing the finish line that they forget to consider what it takes to get to the starting line.

This is the foundation everything else sits on.

The timing of your marathon dictates the season and weather you’ll be training in. Most marathon training plans take 16-20 weeks and assume you’re already running consistently — around 20 miles or more per week, with an 8-10 mile long run. If you’re not there yet, you’ll need time to build before training even begins.

Once you’re ready to start marathon training, you’ll need 4-5 months when you can make running a priority — not THE most important thing, but something you may occasionally need to organize your life around. Consider also whether you have a strong preference for either winter or summer training, i.e. whether you should be looking at spring or fall races.

Questions to ask yourself:

• When do I realistically have 4–5 months to prioritize running?

• What’s my starting point right now; do I need extra time before I’ll be able to start a marathon training plan?

• Will my peak training weeks (the last couple of months of training) fall during a stable period of life?

• Am I going to be happier training through winter or summer weather?

Start making a shortlist of races that fit your ideal timeline, and open it up a little bit to include a few more options. Be honest about races that just don’t fit.

2. The location of your race affects more than just your travel plans.

Location isn’t just about where you run. It shapes the entire experience around the race.

Imagine this:

You’ve traveled for your marathon and you’re in a new city. The energy is high, everything feels special, and race weekend has that “this is a big deal” feeling. You make a trip out of it, explore a little, and stay to celebrate after.

Destination races can be incredible experiences. But when you zoom in a bit, you’ll also have to figure out where to eat the night before. Navigate transportation to the start line in the dark. Sleep in a different bed. And manage your nerves in an unfamiliar place.

Now compare that to staying local:

You wake up in your own bed, then eat your usual breakfast. You know exactly how long it takes to get to the start. Maybe a friend meets you there, or you spot lots of familiar faces along the course. You feel supported and comfortable.

A local race might feel less exciting, but for a first marathon experience it’s often calmer and less stressful — this can make a big difference.

Things to consider:

• Travel time, cost, and logistics of getting to the race

• Time zone changes and how well you normally adjust

• Access to support (friends, family, familiar routines)

Neither option is better. One just might suit you better right now. A lot of this comes down to your personality and previous race and travel experience.

3. The course and size of the race can make or break the experience.

Not all marathons feel the same once you’re out on the course.

Picture yourself at mile 18.

In one race, the streets are lined with people. There’s noise, music, cheering — constant energy carrying you forward. You’re surrounded by other runners, and even when it gets tough, you’re not alone.

In another image, the course stretches out ahead of you. It’s quieter. Maybe you’re running through beautiful scenery. There are stretches where it’s just you, your breath, your thoughts, and the rhythm of your steps.

Sit with that for a while. Which mental image draws you in more? Both can be amazing. And both can be challenging in different ways.

Pros and cons of a big race:

+ Great energy and strong crowd support

+  You’ll always have others running at your pace

+  The experience of a real “event”, from race expo to finish line festivities

-  Less personal space on the course and longer lines for everything

-  Logistically harder and more stressful

-  Loud spectators and navigating the crowds can feel overwhelming

Pros and cons of a smaller race: 

+  Easier to run your own race and not get caught up in someone else’s race plan 

+  Simpler, more relaxed experience

+  Many smaller marathons are scenic with a friendly atmosphere

-  Less crowd energy and lighter support on the course

-  More time running on your own, a quieter feel

-  It may not hold the prestige of a big, well-known race

Once you’ve checked out the field size (and any helpful reviews about the vibe and experience on the course), remember to also think about the course profile, elevation changes, and typical race day weather. If you're picking a hilly race but you live and train somewhere flat, you're setting yourself up for an added challenge.

For a first marathon, simple is often a good thing. Not because you can’t handle a challenge, but because you’re already doing something new and demanding.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do I draw energy from crowds or am I more interested in the natural surroundings?

• Do I want to feel part of something big, or more in my own lane?

• What conditions will I realistically be training in, and how close is that to race day conditions?

4. You need a strong motivation to keep going when it gets tough.

At some point in your training, the excitement will wear off. There will be runs you don’t feel like doing. Weeks that feel heavy. And many moments where the finish line feels very far away. But it can still feel very much worth the effort. That’s where this piece matters — maybe more than any of the others. 

Imagine two versions of a tough training day. You’re heading out the door, though you really don’t feel like running. As you step outside, you think: 

• “I have to do this.”

• Or: “This matters to me.”

That subtle yet powerful shift comes from a deep personal motivation; a meaningful “why” for your journey. Daily motivation comes and goes, but a more personal reason helps you get through the hard days. 

Questions to ask yourself:

• Is there a race that feels personally meaningful?

• What about it draws me in?

• Does this choice actually excite me?

• How will I feel when I complete the marathon?

If a race looks perfect on paper but doesn’t spark anything, it may be harder to stay connected to it when things get tough. Even if the travel budget fits and training weather looks good.

Or it could be that the real motivation is tied to completing a marathon, less so to any particular race. Explore what is behind that motivation, what it means to you on a deeper, emotional level. That’s the well you draw from as you train for the big day.

So, how do you choose your first marathon?

Some factors need to fit: your schedule, your current fitness, your capacity to train. Others are more flexible. It’s up to you to decide which ones are your priority.

The goal isn’t to find the perfect marathon. It’s to choose one that works for your life and gives you something to look forward to along the way. If your first marathon is a great experience, a second marathon is a lot more likely!

Make that spreadsheet and think through the practical side. But ultimately, trust your gut. Pick a race that makes the training feel purposeful — not just something you have to get through. 

Remember: You’re not planning a business trip, you’re planning for an experience and challenge you want to celebrate and be proud of!

When you’re ready to start marathon training — or build so you can one day start training — I would love to support your big dreams and goals! If you’re interested in exploring 1:1 coaching for your marathon goal, please reach out and ask any questions you have. I specialize in helping women runners in midlife improve their training, confidence, and race times.

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About the author:

Heini Tallent is an RRCA Level 2 certified distance running coach and board-certified health and wellness coach. She helps recreational women runners aged 40ish and up train with more confidence, break through personal obstacles, and discover sustainable ways of making running a healthy and enjoyable lifelong habit. Her coaching services include 1:1 run coaching as well as the seasonal Run Empowered group coaching program for women.