Half Marathon Course Highlights
While we know 7 Marathons 7 Continents is virtual, we want to recreate a travel adventure of a lifetime! If you have any information that you think we should feature along the way, please email us at [email protected].
Here are just some of the highlights you’ll encounter along your journey.
North America – Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, US
North Kaibab Trail alongside Bright Angel Creek
Start
Colorado River
Ribbon Falls
Located just off North Kaibab Trail
Mile 2
Cross Manzanita Creek
Mile 6
Pump House Ranger Station
Mile 6
Roaring Springs Canyon
This scenic spring pours out of the cliffs into Bright Angel Creek
Mile 7
Coconino Overlook
Scenic spot along the trail
Mile 10
Bright Angel Point
This easy trail follows a ridge line and offers a panoramic north side view of the canyon.
Finish
South America – Incan Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru
Wayllabamba Camp
Start
Patallacta
Cross Rio Wayruru
Mile 1
Llullucha Pampa
Fantastic views of the Pacaymayo valley.
Mile 2
Warmi Wanusqa
Mountain pass 4,200 meters high
Mile 3
Pacaymayo Valley Campsite
Mile 4.5
Sayacmarca
Lying atop a steep mountain, these Incan ruins are thought to be a village.
Mile 6
Qonchamarka
Architectural site that lies between Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca on the Incan Trail.
Mile 6
Phuyupatamarca
A high altitude, Incan archaeological site in the Urubamba region. Known as “La Ciudad entre la Niebla” due to its located 3670 meters above sea level.
Mile 8.5
Wiñay Wayna
Built into a steep hillside along the Urubamba River.
Mile 10
Intipata
An archeological site formed by agricultural terraces with a convex shape.
Mile 10.5
Machu Picchu
Intipunku – Puerta del Sol
Once a fortress of Machu Picchu, it is now the final section of the Incan trail between the Sun Gate complex and Machu Picchu.
Mile 12
Casa del Guardián de la Roca Funeraria Puerta
Overlooks Machu Picchu
Mile 13
Puerta de la Ciudad
The old City gates to Machu Picchu
Finish
Temple of the Three Windows
Known for its three “windows”, this ancient stone temple offers sweeping views.
Finish
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the most famous Incan city. Famous 15th century city for having intricate stonework and astronomical building and wall alignments, the city was abandoned and completed covered by the jungle until discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Bingham has been cited as one possible basis for the character Indiana Jones.
Finish
Europe – Athens in Greece
Leof. Marathonos
Start
AEM
Supports athletic opportunities for children and adults
Mile 13.8
Athens Concert Hall
This artistic and educational multicultural center opened its doors in 1991.
Mile 9
National Gardens
Byzantine And Christian Museum
Displays over 25,000 artifacts including frescoes, paintings, and sculptures that date as far back as the 3rd century.
Mile 12
Cine Aegli Summer Cinema
Historic outdoor cinema which is surrounded by gardens
Mile 12.5
National Garden in Athens
A historical site, located behind Parliament, this 15.5 hectare plot features monuments, an open air museum, Children’s Library, sundial, and archaeological remains.
Mile 13
Zappeion Megaron
Built in the 1880s for the first modern Olympic games
Mile 13
Panathenaic Stadium
Statue of Georgios Karaiskakis
Famous military commander and hero of the Greek war of independence.
Mile 13
Kallimarmaro
Kallimarmaro, or The Panathenaic Stadium, is the worlds only white marble stadium. Today, it is the finish line for the Marathon race, which was officially established for the 1896 Olympic Games.
Finish
Africa – Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania
Transit Picnic Site
Known for its abundance of birds and monkeys.
Mile 1
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
This protected area is part of the Serengeti ecosystem with volcanic highlands to the south and west. Tended by the Maasai, this land is home to Big five game, zebras and elands.
Entire Course
Ngorongoro Crater
Lake Magadi
This southernmost lake in the Kenyan Rift Valley is covered by solid and semisolid soda which dyes its water a vivid pink. Known for its faulted volcanic rocks and wading birds, including flamingos.
Miles 9-15
Mti Mmoja
Pass by the Mti Mmoja region of Tanzania.
Mile 12
Ngorongoro Crater
Thought to have been formed 2.5 million years ago by a collapsing volcano cone post eruption. The crater is 20kms across, 600 meters deep and 300 square kms in area.
Mile 4-20
Asia – Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto City Archaeological Research Institute
Start
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The former ruling palace of the Emperor of Japan until 1868.
Mile 1
Kamogawa Delta
Part of the Kamo River, the main river in the Kyoto that runs north to south, through the center of the city.
Mile 3
Tadekura Bridge
Pedestrian bridge
Mile 4
National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Features a permanent collection of local 20th century artists, plus rotating exhibits.
Mile 8
Yasaka Shrine
This Shinto shrine was erected in 656 AD. It is today home to many festivals
Mile 8.75
Maruyama Park
Known for its seasonal cherry blossoms
Mile 8.75
Fushimi Inari
Ryozen Musem
Includes hands on exhibits of the Edo and Meiji Restoration periods
Mile 9.3
Kiyomizu-dera
Offers spectacular views of the city
Mile 10
Kyoto National Museum
Opening in May of 1987, the Kyoto National Museum features sculptures, paintings, calligraphy and metalwork.
Mile 11
Guan Bridge
Covered bridge which overlooks Tokofu-ji temple
Mile 12.5
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Mountainside Shinto shrine dating from 711 AD. The path features hundreds of traditional gates.
Finish
Australia – Sydney
Sydney Park Wetlands
Start
Moore Park
A great space for runners or walkers, located just above the Moore Park golf range
Mile 2
Centennial Park
Large Victorian park
Mile 3
The Celebration Steps
Home to over 300 engraved pavers with personalized messages celebrating special occasions and significant loved ones.
Mile 3
Bronte House and Park
Gothic style cottage on 42 acres of land at Nelson Bay. This area is a State Heritage site.
Mile 5
Mackenzies Bay
Located in New South Wales, this inlet is between Bondi and Tamarama Beach.
Mile 5.75
Bondi Beach
Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
4 km trail along the cliffs between Bondi and Bronte beaches
Miles 6-7
Rushcutters Bay Park
Bayfront park
Mile 10.8
Artspace
Home to contemporary exhibitions, performances, artist residencies and public programs
Mile 12
Succulent Garden
Home to some of The Royal Botanic Gardens’ strangest and most beautiful plants
Mile 12.5
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
One of the oldest and most prestigious schools in Australia
Mile 13
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center at Sydney Harbor in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is one of the 20th century’s most famous and distinctive buildings. Chief architect Jorn Utzon began construction of this landmark theater in 1959.
Finish
Antarctica – McMurdo Station on Ross Island
McMurdo Station
Established in 1955, it is America’s largest research station on Antarctica. It is built on the bare volcanic rock of Ross Island.
Start
Ross Ice Shelf
The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf in Antarctica (as of 2013 it had an area of roughly the size of France)
Mile 1-10
Ice Runway Road
The principle runway for the US Antarctica Program during the summer. The sea-ice runway is constructed at the start of each season and is used until early December when the ice begins to break up.
Mile 1
Williams Field Road
Two snowy runways situated on 8 meters of compact snow. The Air Force provides flights between Christchurch, New Zealand and McMurdo for the US Antarctic Program.
Mile 7
Castle Rock Loop
Named by Robert Falcon Scott of the 1901 British National Antarctic Expedition, this bold rock crag stands 1,360 feet high.
Mile 11