five of the past six. The women's race was added in 1984, with Benoit Samuelson winning.

Key feature: In 2004, the race was again run in Athens, with Americans Keflezighi taking silver and Kastor bronze.

Scenic highlight: Watching the lead runner enter the Olympic stadium for the final push toward gold.

Quotable: "Running that historic route from Marathon into Athens and finishing in Panathenaic Stadium was incredible," Kastor said. "It was really spiritual."

Paris

The Eiffel Tower is one of many landmarks that make the Marathon de Paris a memorable event. Thomas Samson/AFP/Getty Images

The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris is huge, attracting more than 40,000 runners from about 150 nations in 2016. It isn't as fast as Chicago, Berlin or London, yet Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia ran a 2:05:04 in 2014 to setthe course record. It's also a race in which costumes are prevalent and runners enjoy themselves.

History: The first marathon in Paris was run in 1896, but the modern version began in 1976.

Key feature: In order to participate, runners must provide a note to race organizers from their doctors declaring that they are healthy enough to run 26.2 miles.

Scenic highlight: It's a travelogue, with the course winding past the Seine, the Eiffel Tower and cathedral of Notre Dame. It begins on the Champs-Elysees and ends near the Arc de Triomphe.

Quotable: "I went there to enjoy it," said Kevin Brosi of Dallas, who has logged 443 marathons. "Lots of costumes, lots of enthusiasm, lots of sights. It was just fun. So many people having a great time. ... You can