Must do Marathons

THIS article lists 7 must do marathons. I'm sure they're all nice, but the list doesn't get me that excited. Actually, the idea of any road run that I have to pay for isn't exciting.

Catalina Island Marathon, California, March 12, 2011
Why run it: For the wow factor. Big mountains. Moody fog. And 360-degree ocean views from trails not normally open to the public.
pacificsportsllc.com

Boston Marathon, Massachusetts, April 18, 2011
Why run it: To be a part of the oldest and most prestigious marathon in the United States.
baa.org

Big Sur International Marathon, Carmel, California, May 1, 2011
Why run it: To experience the spectacular California coast--and the state's sunny hospitality.
bsim.org

Moose's Tooth Marathon (formerly Humpy's), Anchorage, Alaska, August 21, 2011
Why run it: For the possibility of a midrun moose sighting, and to sip Polar Pale Ale at the race's namesake bar.
anchoragerunningclub.org/bwlr/blwrevents

Medoc Marathon, Bordeaux France, September 10, 2011
Why run it: Because it's a carnival of Bordeaux wine! Costumes, music, and 23 wine (and water) stops all against a backdrop of French chateaus and vineyards.
marathondumedoc.com


Berlin Marathon Germany, September 25, 2011
Why run it: To run as fast as possible on the world-record marathon course--2:03:59, set by Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie in 2008.
real-berlin-marathon.com

Athens Marathon, Greece, November 13, 2011
Why run it: Because this is where it all began, when, legend has it, the messenger Pheidippides in 490 B.C. ran the 43 kilometers from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory over the Persians.
athensclassicmarathon.gr

(London and Paris sound much more fun and exciting than Berlin and Athens to me, should I ever decide to run over there.  Then again, Stockholm needs to be revisited if I do do one over there.)