Forget the festive rush: Take on Europe’s ‘slowest marathon’ in Vilnius this Christmas
Lithuania’s capital city Vilnius will host a slower kind of 'race-cation' this festive season where participants can forget about watching their pace and instead enjoy a leisurely walk among festive settings.
Forget the hectic festive rush – Vilnius is offering a unique way to experience the holiday season this Christmas. The Go Vilnius tourism development agency is promoting a new "Europe's slowest marathon" that encourages participants to take their time exploring the city this December. With routes ranging from 3km to a full marathon (42.195km), the event aims to provide a leisurely alternative to the usual race-cation trend.
Visitors can enjoy 10km and 21km options alongside Vilnius' Christmas attractions, such as Christmas Tree Lighting, the Christmas Market, and the Christmas Train. The marathon routes will showcase the city's lesser-known corners, including Senatorių Pasažas (Senators’ Passage) and the Užupis Cat sculpture, while passing through streets named after winter elements like Žiemos (Winter), Šerkšno (Frost), Sniego (Snow), and Elnių (Deer).
Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, head of communication at Go Vilnius, hopes this slow-paced approach will change the perception of Christmas, highlighting the city's festive lights, warm cafés, and the magical glow of the tree in Cathedral Square. With digital route maps available until January 3, 2027, the Go Vilnius slowest marathon offers a unique way to celebrate the holiday season in one of Europe's most compact and picturesque cities.
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