One in three Brits now prioritise hobby-led travel, as Dragonpass highlights the eight destination fitness events worth travelling for in 2026
From the Sahara to the Arctic Circle, sport-led travel is reshaping where runners and triathletes go next
- One in six Brits would travel thousands of miles to take part in a sporting event
- 50%+ stay over when race travel takes two to four hours, rising to almost 80% for 4 hours+ 2
- 5%+ have planned or would consider planning a holiday around a major sporting event
One in six Brits would travel thousands of miles to take part in a sporting event, as endurance sporting travel becomes a growing force in destination choice. Dragonpass, the $1 billion global travel loyalty platform serving more than 40 million members worldwide, is highlighting how more athletes are planning holidays around the start line rather than simply fitting races into existing trips. With nearly one in three UK adults now prioritising hobby-led or activity-based travel, Dragonpass now see a broader shift towards more purpose-driven, experience-led travel decisions. Among British runners, the race is also increasingly becoming an overnight stay. Running Studies found that more than half stay over when race travel takes between two and four hours, rising to almost 80% when journeys extend beyond four hours.
Against that backdrop, Dragonpass has identified eight races taking place from April 2026 onwards, as start lines increasingly become travel draws in their own right. Spanning desert ultras, iconic mountain triathlons, Arctic road marathons and more distinctive destination events, the selection reflects a wider shift towards race-led travel, where sense of place is becoming just as important as the event itself.
1. Marathon des Sables Legendary, Morocco | April 3 to 13, 2026
Still one of endurance sport’s clearest expressions of a race holiday turned full expedition, Marathon des Sables Legendary remains a serious badge of honour. The 40th edition takes place in Morocco across approximately 250km over six stages, with participants covering the distance in food self-sufficiency and spending nine days in the Sahara. For athletes who want the trip itself to feel as significant as the finish, few races match it.
2. Great Wall Marathon, China | May 1, 2026
Some races carry instant recognition, and this is one of them. The Great Wall Marathon returns on May 1, 2026 and remains one of the most visually distinctive road marathons on the global calendar, with runners taking on the wall’s relentless elevation and its famous 5,164 steps. It is the sort of event runners build a wider trip around because the course story is already built in.
3. XTERRA Croatia Mali Lošinj, Croatia | May 8 to 10, 2026
For multisport athletes bored of conventional swim-bike-run formats, XTERRA Croatia Mali Lošinj offers something sharper. Set on an Adriatic island and part of the XTERRA World Tour, the event combines off-road triathlon and trail running in a setting which feels far more immersive than a standard fly-in race weekend. It is exactly the kind of event which lends itself to a longer stay.
4. Midnight Sun Marathon, Tromsø, Norway | June 20, 2026
Not every destination race has to be punishing to be memorable. Midnight Sun Marathon offers a more accessible but still highly distinctive overseas event, with runners racing in Tromsø under Arctic daylight. For athletes who want a trip with a strong environmental hook without stepping into the ultra-endurance bracket, it is a compelling pick.
5. Iceland Volcano Marathon, Iceland | June 27, 2026
For runners who want adventure without committing to a multi-day sufferfest, Iceland Volcano Marathon lands in a compelling middle ground. Held in Mývatn in northern Iceland, the event combines black volcanic sand, gravel, trail and lava-rock scenery in one of Europe’s most geologically dramatic settings. It has enough edge to feel adventurous, while still being broad enough in appeal for experienced marathon travellers and strong leisure runners alike.
6. Triathlon de l’Alpe d’Huez, France | August 2 to 6, 2026
Few triathlons arrive with stronger built-in mythology. The Alpe d’Huez Triathlon has become one of the sport’s most recognisable mountain tests, built around the legendary 21 bends of the climb and drawing around 4,000 participants across its programme. For serious age-groupers, it is the sort of race with enough history and status to justify planning a whole summer trip around it.
7. IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun, Austria | August 30, 2026
If the brief is one IRONMAN in a genuinely interesting setting, Zell am See-Kaprun is a strong choice. The course combines a 1.9km swim in Lake Zell, a 90km bike ride through alpine terrain and a 21.1km run along the lake, giving it recognisable long-course credibility while still feeling visually distinctive from more obvious branded fixtures. It is a race with serious appeal for athletes who want a major event without sacrificing destination value.
8. Marathon du Médoc, France | September 5, 2026
This is the clearest reminder race travel is not only about severity. Marathon du Médoc returns for its 40th edition on September 5, 2026, taking runners through the vineyards north of Bordeaux and offering a more sociable, more characterful version of destination running. It rounds out the list well because not every athlete travelling for a race is chasing maximal hardship; many are looking for atmosphere, identity and a weekend with real life around the event