Photo: Howard N2GOT · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Nevers Marathon by Nexson
Magny-Cours, France
November 21, 2026 to November 22, 2026Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km4.41 km
CastlesCity Run+8
Running Theme (City, Architecture & Culture)
Unusual Venue Race Calendar & Dates 2026-2027
Races hosted in unusual venues such as airports, mines, caves, motorsport circuits, or industrial landmarks. Browse 52 events (36 confirmed dates) and 217 races from 1 km to 101 km.
Events5236 confirmed dates
Competitions217Races & courses
Distances1 - 101 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+4,500 m D+Course elevation profile
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Howard N2GOT · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Lanzarote Marathon
Costa Teguise, Spain
December 3, 2026 to December 5, 2026Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km+1
IslandKids & Youth Races+8
Photo: BLMUtah · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Pyramids Half Marathon - Marakez
Cairo, Egypt
December 11, 2026 to December 12, 2026Date confirmed
21.1 km10 km5 km
DesertCulture & History+5
Photo: Jonathan Beech · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningWalking & Hiking
Angkor Trail
Siem Reap, Cambodia
January 23, 2027Date confirmed
101 km64 km42 km32 km+4
ForestCulture & History+8
Photo: Anass ERRIHANI · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningWalking & Hiking
Kimbia Kenya
Jacaranda, Kenya
February 7, 2027 to February 15, 2027Date confirmed
91.2 km56 km6 km3.5 km
Charity RunIsland+6
Photo: Carlo cattaneo fotografie · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad RunningBoston Marathon Qualifier
Valentine's Day Marathon
Terni, Italy
February 21, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km8 km2 km
City RunNature & Off-Road+8
Photo: Bob Ramsak · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningWalking & Hiking
Trail de Cappadoce
Ürgüp, Türkiye
March 20, 2027 to March 26, 2027Date confirmed
70 km53 km
MountainMulti-Day+2
Photo: Jonathan Beech · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Venice Night Trail
Venice, Italy
April 3, 2027Date confirmed
16.5 km
Night RunUrban Trail+8
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
November 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 - Nov 22, 2026 | Nevers Marathon by Nexson | Magny-Cours, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km4.41 km |
December 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 2026 - Dec 5, 2026 | Lanzarote Marathon | Costa Teguise, Canary Islands, ES | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km5 km |
| Dec 11, 2026 - Dec 12, 2026 | Pyramids Half Marathon - Marakez | Cairo, Cairo, EG | Road Running | 21.1 km10 km5 km |
January 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2027 | Angkor Trail | Siem Reap, Siem Reap Province, KH | Trail RunningWalking & Hiking | 101 km64 km42 km32 km |
February 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7, 2027 - Feb 15, 2027 | Kimbia Kenya | Jacaranda, Nairobi, KE | Trail RunningWalking & Hiking | 91.2 km56 km6 km3.5 km |
| Feb 21, 2027 | Valentine's Day Marathon | Terni, Umbria, IT | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km8 km2 km |
March 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 2027 - Mar 26, 2027 | Trail de Cappadoce | Ürgüp, Nevşehir, TR | Trail RunningWalking & Hiking | 70 km53 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2027 | Venice Night Trail | Venice, Veneto, IT | Trail Running | 16.5 km |
| Apr 4, 2027 | Radiance Mutuelle Lyon Urban Trail | Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, FR | Trail RunningWalking & Hiking | 35 km25 km18 km12 km |
| Apr 11, 2027 | Rabat International Marathon |  Rabat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, MA | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km10 km |
May 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2027 - May 15, 2027 | Great Wall Trail |  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, CN | Trail Running | 65 km |
| May 15, 2027 | Great Wall of China Marathon | Beijing, Beijing Municipality, CN | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km8.5 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
Races hosted in unusual venues such as airports, mines, caves, motorsport circuits, or industrial landmarks. In the RunningCompass calendar, the Unusual Venue theme currently spans 52 public events and 217 individual competitions, including 36 confirmed editions for 2026-2027. Special-access events open normally restricted facilities for unique running and cycling competitions. Primary disciplines include Road Running, Trail Running, and Walking & Hiking with race distances from 1 km to 101 km.
Surfaces vary widely by venue, from smooth motorsport tarmac to underground tunnels and industrial concourses. Across the catalog, the most demanding courses in this category feature up to +4,500 m of climbing. Leading host destinations include Magny-Cours, Costa Teguise, Cairo, and Siem Reap. Notable events in this category include Nevers Marathon by Nexson, Lanzarote Marathon, and Pyramids Half Marathon - Marakez. Every event page includes an interactive course map, elevation telemetry, GPX track downloads, and direct filters for date, distance, and destination.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What defines Unusual Venue events and how many races are listed in the calendar?
Races hosted in unusual venues such as airports, mines, caves, motorsport circuits, or industrial landmarks. RunningCompass currently lists 52 events with 217 individual competitions under the Unusual Venue theme. A total of 36 events have confirmed dates for the 2026-2027 season, alongside additional races with full course profiles for season planning.
What distances and disciplines are typical for Unusual Venue races?
Special-access events open normally restricted facilities for unique running and cycling competitions. The 217 listed competitions span distances from 1 km to 101 km, led by Road Running, Trail Running, and Walking & Hiking. You can narrow the calendar by 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, or ultra distance brackets using the search filters.
What terrain, elevation profile, and preparation should I expect for Unusual Venue?
Surfaces vary widely by venue, from smooth motorsport tarmac to underground tunnels and industrial concourses. Races in this theme reach up to +4,500 m of climbing. Each event detail page provides interactive course maps, elevation gain and loss metrics, altitude ranges, and downloadable GPX files to help you plan pacing and gear.
Where do Unusual Venue events take place and how can I filter by region and date?
Leading host destinations include Magny-Cours, Costa Teguise, Cairo, and Siem Reap. Notable events in this category include Nevers Marathon by Nexson, Lanzarote Marathon, and Pyramids Half Marathon - Marakez. Using the monthly calendar groups on this page or the linked interactive map explorer, you can filter all 52 events by country, region, month, and distance.