These Are the Hardest Marathons in the World to Get Into-Including One With Just 99 Finishers

"The Big Five takes the crown as the world's most in-demand race. It's held in a private wildlife reserve, and runners share the route with elephants, lions, and other animals roaming the landscape, making it a truly singular running experience."

"Some races welcome thousands of finishers each year, while others offer far fewer places, making them significantly harder to secure a place in."

The Big Five Marathon in South Africa combines wildlife viewing with marathon running, making it highly sought after. Participation in running events has surged, with a 39 percent increase from 2023 to 2024. Iconic races are becoming harder to enter, exemplified by the TCS New York City Marathon, which received over 240,000 applications for 2026. The Big Five Marathon stands out as the most in-demand race, held in a private wildlife reserve where runners encounter elephants and lions, with only 99 finishers last year.

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