European Marathon Classics officially launched in Vienna
- On Wednesday, 25 February, in the historic setting of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the launch of the European Marathon Classics (EMC) series was officially announced. The new initiative brings together eight iconic marathons from across Europe into one long-term challenge.
This is a continent-wide project stretching from Mediterranean Rome and Madrid, through Atlantic Lisbon and London, to the heart of Europe in Vienna, Warsaw and Frankfurt, and up to northern Copenhagen.
One distance. Eight cities. Many cultures. One shared European identity.
European Marathon Classics is an initiative designed to connect people and offer the joy of a shared journey across Europe. The series promotes health and balance, encourages regular physical activity and self-care, and inspires participants to push beyond their limits. A key component of the project is the promotion of responsible participation in sporting events, combined with respect for the environment.
Eight classic marathons
The European Marathon Classics series consists of eight races held between March and October: Maratona di Roma, Vienna City Marathon, TCS London Marathon, Zurich Rock’n’Roll Running Series Madrid, Copenhagen Marathon, Warsaw Marathon, EDP Lisbon Marathon and Mainova Frankfurt Marathon.
“European Marathon Classics is our vision of discovering Europe together and pushing boundaries — geographical, athletic and mental. I am confident that this series will stimulate further development of running tourism and attract participants from other continents to European marathons,” said Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon and one of the leaders behind the creation of European Marathon Classics.
To earn the title of “European Marathon Classics Finisher” and receive a commemorative medal, participants must complete at least five different marathons from the list, each in a different city. There is no time limit for completing the five races.
The series features a modern visual identity built around colorful, dynamic circles. Each circle symbolizes a marathon held in a different European city. The logo contains ten such elements, while the series currently launches with eight races leaving room for future expansion.
Medal and collectible magnetic coins
During the Vienna inauguration, the European Marathon Classics medal was unveiled. It will be awarded to participants upon completion of their fifth race in the series.
The medal takes the form of a large disc with a distinctive concentric structure. At the center of the reverse side, there is space for circular, magnetic collectible coins. These EMC badges, each featuring its own individual color scheme and “Finisher” designation, correspond to the respective races. As runners complete additional marathons, they build a personalized medal composition reflecting their journey.
“The European Marathon Classics are an inspiring challenge, and this unique medal represents this spirit in a truly remarkable way,” says Kathrin Widu, CEO of the Vienna City Marathon. “By bringing together leading European marathons, we aim to inspire even more people to embrace marathon running. We are united by shared values like a passion for sport, community, health, and sustainability and driven by the energy of a new generation of runners.”
Historical results will count
One of the key principles of the project is the recognition not only of future European Marathon Classics results, but also historical performances dating back to the earliest editions of the marathons included in the series.
The oldest event in the series is the Madrid Marathon, first held in 1978, while the youngest is the EDP Lisbon Marathon, established in 1986. This means working with archives and verifying results from several hundred editions across the eight races.
This solution will be made possible through cooperation with the platform www.letsdothis.com, which is providing technological solutions for the EMC project.
Organizers aim to enable participants to add past race results to their profiles starting in the second half of 2026.
“We value everyone who has ever completed the marathon distance at our races, whether this year or forty years ago. It is a major operational undertaking and a significant organizational challenge, but we will make it possible to recognize results dating back to the very first editions. We see this as a sign of respect for marathon history and for the people who created it,” emphasized Marek Tronina, Race Director of the Warsaw Marathon.
Registration for European Marathon Classics is now open at www.europeanmarathonclassics.eu. Joining the series is free of charge. Entry fees apply for participation in individual races in accordance with each event’s regulations.
