‘Race-cation’ boom: Searches for 24-hour city breaks surge by 500% as runners plan marathon trips
Searches for ‘marathon abroad’ have hit an all-time high, with travellers also researching what to see, eat and do in European race destinations once the running is over
The trend of "race-cations" is gaining popularity as marathon runners plan marathon trips combined with a short city break. Searches for "marathon abroad" have surged by an astonishing 1,255% in the past year, with new data suggesting that people are already planning what to do once they finish the race. According to Bókun, a Tripadvisor-owned company, searches for overseas marathons have hit an all-time high in 2026, with a quarter of marathons occurring in October.
The surge in interest has led to a 500% increase in searches for 24-hour itineraries in marathon cities, driving trip bookings beyond the summer peak. The trend is particularly popular among health and fitness enthusiasts who want to challenge themselves in a major race while exploring a new destination. Platforms like TikTok are showcasing the appeal of combining fitness events with travel experiences, with videos like "the best locations to do a Hyrox in" and "marathon holiday itineraries" gaining thousands of views.
European marathons this autumn include HYROX Rome and Berlin marathon in September, as well as Amsterdam, Munich, Lisbon and Budapest marathons, and HYROX Valencia in October. Searches for day trips to cities hosting major marathons have skyrocketed, with a 500% surge in Hamburg, a 400% increase in Lisbon, and a 250% rise in Munich. The interest in micro-adventures and guided tours has also grown, with searches for day tours in Lisbon increasing by 488% and Rome food tours up by 94%.
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