emerges

Ukraine has unveiled a new version of its Neptune cruise missile, which appears to have added fuel tank ‘bulges’ for increased range. The missile looks to be distinct from the extended-range Long Neptune derivative, imagery of which first emerged earlier this year. Originally designed as an anti-ship weapon, the Neptune family has now become a key means for Ukraine to launch strikes at targets on land inside Russian territory.

Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s defense minister, shared a picture of the new Neptune variant, seen at the top of this story, on social media today in relation to a recent visit by Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene and other Western dignitaries. Other domestically developed weapon systems that Ukrainian authorities have showcased before, including the Peklo ‘missile drone’ and a Magura-7 uncrewed surface vessel (USV) armed with R-73 anti-air missiles, were also put on display for the delegation.

The baseline Neptune, also designated the R-360, is primarily an anti-ship weapon, but has a basic secondary land attack capability. It is itself derived from the Soviet-era Kh-35, variants of which remain in service in Russia and elsewhere globally. Current production Neptunes can be readily distinguished from Kh-35s by the shape of their main fins, which have a distinctive stepped or ‘cranked’ sweep to them. The missile, which is powered by a small turbofan jet engine, has a stated maximum range of 190 miles (300 kilometers), according to the developer, the Luch Design Bureau.

Since 2023, Ukraine has also been employing a land-attack optimized version, which reportedly has a guidance package that combines a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system (INS) and an imaging infrared sensor in place of the original active radar seeker. A Ukrainian defense official previously told TWZ that this variant has a range of at least 225 miles (360 kilometers). There is also the Long Neptune, which we will come back to later on.

The new Neptune variant shown to Prime Minister Ruginiene and the other Western officials has two prominent bulges on either side of the forward body immediately in front of the main fins. Though their purpose is currently unknown, additional fuel tanks are the likely explanation. Adding more fuel would be a relatively straightforward way to extend the missile’s reach without dramatically changing its design. It could also help maintain the weapon’s existing range following the addition of a heavier payload, such as a new warhead, although this is less likely based on what we know about the Neptune design. It is possible that fuel was added here to makeup for a larger warhead, but again, this is the less likely of the two options.

It’s possible the fairings could contain something else, but nothing logical comes to mind. Based on what is known of the Kh-35’s internal layout, this portion of the Neptune’s body should otherwise house elements of its navigation system and avionics. The missile’s warhead should be directly in front of that section, with the main seeker then in the nose.

As noted, the missile does not appear to be the Long Neptune derivative, also known as the RK-360L, which has a reported maximum range of 621 miles (1,000 kilometers). Ukrainian authorities released an image of that missile in August, which shows that it is externally very distinct from earlier Neptunes, as well as the new variant that has now been revealed. The Long Neptune is longer overall and has a wider main body, with the tail and nose sections having tapered profiles as a result. The main fins are also bigger and have a straight sweep.

Extending the reach of the baseline Neptune would offer a new tier of capability between the original missile and the RK-360L, allowing for the latter to be reserved for strikes that make use of their full range. An extended-range variant of the R-360 might also be cheaper and/or easier to produce than the Long Neptunes, or even something that could be created by converting existing missiles.

It’s also worth noting here that increasing the reach of the baseline Neptune could be relevant to expanding Ukraine’s ability to target Russian ships at sea, as well as strikes on land targets.

Existing versions of Neptune have also proven to be especially key weapons in Ukraine’s arsenal for conducting strikes on targets inside Russia. Ukraine’s Navy claims to have successfully struck more than 50 Russian targets with Neptune-series cruise missiles in the past year, according to an interview with the service’s spokesperson, Dmytro Pletenchuk, which Ukrainian newspaper Dzerkalo Tyzhnia published just today.

The expanding Neptune family also reflects a broader push by Ukrainian authorities to step up domestic arms production. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the goal is for 50 percent of all munitions being used on the front lines to be manufactured within the country by the end of the year. Foreign partnerships are part of the plan to achieve this, according to Zelenskyy. It is possible that the ongoing development of the Neptune family, as well as the production of those missiles, may already be benefiting from collaboration with allies and partners.

When it comes to stand-off strike capabilities capable of hitting targets deeper inside Russia, Ukraine’s current arsenal includes air-launched Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG cruise missiles provided by the United Kingdom and France, respectively, as well as ground-based Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles from the United States.

A new twin-jet engine flying-wing drone design has emerged in China. While details are currently limited, the Chinese aviation industry has been developing an expanding array of flying-wing uncrewed aircraft, including as uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and high-altitude intelligence-gathering platforms, often in cooperation with state-run research institutions. TWZ assessed years ago that there was likely to be an explosion of investment in flying-wing drones in China and that the academic side of the Chinese weapons development ecosystem would be deeply involved.

Pictures of the drone have been circulating online since at least yesterday. The images are said to have been taken recently in the city of Changchun in Jilin province in northeastern China amid preparations for the Changchun Air Show, which is scheduled to officially open this week. Local authorities say the show will also mark the first “full activation” of the Changchun International Aviation Expo City, a sprawling aviation-themed venue in Changchun that contains a theme park and other attractions.

From what we have seen so far of the drone, which is emblazoned on at least one side with the logo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), it looks to be more of a developed test article, rather than a mock-up. It has a notable dorsal hump in the center of its body with air intakes nestled up against it on either side. A look at the uncrewed aircraft from the rear also shows two separate exhausts. The intakes and exhausts might point to engines buried in the upper hemisphere of the center body.

The uncrewed aircraft has some features that are broadly in line with a stealthy design, including a chine along the leading edge of the center body and shaping of the engine intakes. At the same time, the exhausts are inset into the body, but are hardly concealed. The rear view also shows rivets or other fasteners that are not fully flush, as well as various seams and protrusions along the body and wings, all of which would have negative impacts on its radar cross-section. If what is seen is a test article, various aspects of the design and its construction may not be indicative of the expected final configuration.

The core design, with two engines situated relatively high up on either side of the center of the body, would create more space to work with in the middle. That space could potentially be configured to hold various payloads, including more fuel, sensors, communications arrays, and/or even a weapons bay.

What roles and missions the design might be intended to perform, and whether it is meant to be more than an experimental aircraft, are currently unknown. CAS, through various institutions under its broad umbrella, does have an extensive history of developing uncrewed aerial and maritime systems, as well as sensors and other advanced technology, with clear potential military applications. State-run research institutions in China often have strong ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as well.

Local authorities are also billing the Changchun Air Show as a major showcase for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF).

Whatever the intended purpose of this new design from CAS might be, as noted, it does follow years now of very real development work on multiple flying-wing type drones in China. This includes the GJ-11 Sharp Sword, which looks increasingly set to be the PLA’s first operational UCAV. There are ever-growing signs that GJ-11 variants or derivatives are bound for future operation from the decks of aircraft carriers and big-deck amphibious assault ships.

Larger flying wing uncrewed aircraft designs that look more optimized to serve as high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms have also emerged in China. Just in June, TWZ was first to report on the appearance of a new and especially large low-observable HALE flying-wing drone, which may have now flown.

Flying-wing type designs are also just one part of an ever-more diverse array of uncrewed aircraft in development in China, which has increasingly positioned itself as a global leader in this space. The PLA debuted several new air combat drone designs at a huge military parade in Beijing earlier this month.

MIAMI — When Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno visits Colombia this week as part of a three-nation tour of Latin America, it will be something of a homecoming.

The Ohio senator, who defeated an incumbent last year with the help of Donald Trump’s endorsement and the highest political ad spending in U.S. Senate race history, was born in Bogota and has brothers who are heavyweights in politics and business there.

Moreno has emerged as an interlocutor for conservatives in Latin America seeking to connect with the Trump administration.

In an interview with the Associated Press ahead of the trip, he expressed deep concern about Colombia’s direction under left-wing President Gustavo Petro and suggested that U.S. sanctions, higher tariffs or other retaliatory action might be needed to steer it straight.

The recent criminal conviction of former President Alvaro Uribe, a conservative icon, was an attempt to “silence” the man who saved Colombia from guerrilla violence, Moreno said. Meanwhile, record cocaine production has left the United States less secure — and Colombia vulnerable to being decertified by the White House for failing to cooperate in the war on drugs.

“The purpose of the trip is to understand all the dynamics before any decision is made,” said Moreno, who will meet with both Petro and Uribe, as well as business leaders and local officials. “But there’s nothing that’s taken off the table at this point and there’s nothing that’s directly being contemplated.”

Elected with Trump’s support

Moreno, a luxury car dealer from Cleveland, defeated incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown last year and became Ohio’s senior senator on practically his first day in office after his close friend JD Vance resigned the Senate to become vice president.

In Congress, Moreno has mimicked Trump’s rhetoric to attack top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer as a “miserable old man out of a Dickens novel,” called on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates and threatened to subpoena California officials over their response to anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.

On Latin America, he’s been similarly outspoken, slamming Petro on social media as a “socialist dictator” and accusing Mexico of being on the path to becoming a “narco state.”

Such comments barely register in blue-collar Ohio, but they’ve garnered attention in Latin America. That despite the fact Moreno hasn’t lived in the region for decades, speaks Spanish with a U.S. accent and doesn’t sit on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“He’s somebody to watch,” said Michael Shifter, the former president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. “He’s one of the most loyal Trump supporters in the senate and given his background in Latin America he could be influential on policy.”

Moreno, 58, starts his first congressional delegation to Latin America on Monday for two days of meetings in Mexico City with officials including President Claudia Sheinbaum. He’ll be accompanied by Terrance Cole, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, who is making his first overseas trip since being confirmed by the Senate last month to head the premier federal narcotics agency.

Seeking cooperation with Mexico on fentanyl

Moreno, in the pre-trip interview, said that Sheinbaum has done more to combat the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. than her predecessor and mentor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who he described as a “total disaster.” But he said more cooperation is needed, and he’d like to see Mexico allow the DEA to participate in judicial wiretaps like it has for decades in Colombia and allow it to bring back a plane used in bilateral investigations that López Obrador grounded.

“The corruption becomes so pervasive, that if it’s left unchecked, it’s kind of like treating cancer,” said Moreno. “Mexico has to just come to the realization that it does not have the resources to completely wipe out the drug cartels. And it’s only going to be by asking the U.S. for help that we can actually accomplish that.”

Plans to tour the Panama Canal

From Mexico, Moreno heads to Panama, where he’ll tour the Panama Canal with Trump’s new ambassador to the country, Kevin Marino Cabrera.

In March, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate struck a deal that would’ve handed control of two ports on either end of the U.S.-built canal to American investment firm BlackRock Inc. The deal was heralded by Trump, who had threatened to take back the canal to curb Chinese influence.

However, the deal has since drawn scrutiny from antitrust authorities in Beijing and last month the seller said it was seeking to add a strategic partner from mainland China — reportedly state-owned shipping company Cosco — to the deal.

“Cosco you might as well say is the actual communist party,” said Moreno. “There’s no scenario in which Cosco can be part of the Panamanian ports.”

‘We want Colombia to be strong’

On the final leg of the tour in Colombia, Moreno will be joined by another Colombian American senator: Ruben Gallego, Democrat of Arizona. In contrast to Moreno, who was born into privilege and counts among his siblings a former ambassador to the U.S., Gallego and his three sisters were raised by an immigrant single mother on a secretary’s paycheck.

Despite their different upbringings, the two have made common cause in seeking to uphold the tradition of bilateral U.S. support for Colombia, for decades Washington’s staunchest ally in the region. It’s a task made harder by deepening polarization in both countries.

The recent sentencing of Uribe to 12 years of house arrest in a long-running witness tampering case has jolted the nation’s politics with nine months to go before decisive presidential elections. The former president is barred from running but remains a powerful leader, and Moreno said his absence from the campaign trail could alter the playing field.

He also worries that surging cocaine production could once again lead to a “narcotization” of a bilateral relationship that should be about trade, investment and mutual prosperity.

“We want Colombia to be strong, we want Colombia to be healthy, we want Colombia to be prosperous and secure, and I think the people of Colombia want the exact same thing,” he added. “So, the question is, how do we get there?”

Goodman and Smyth write for the Associated Press. Smyth reported from Columbus, Ohio.

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…

December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford

January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington 

January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO 

February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed 

February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added

March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move

March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football

March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford

March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December

April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled 

April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director 

April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton 

May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness

May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof

May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish 

May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy 

May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket

May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed

May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result

June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground 

June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office

June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team

July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation

July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026

July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.

July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment 

July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board  

July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125

July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie

August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window 

August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet

October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson

October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled 

October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches

October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m

November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause 

November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim 

November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings 

November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association

December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century” 

December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66

December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director

December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher

December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth

December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars

December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity

With growing activity across decentralized apps, NFT platforms, and a fresh wave of meme coin launches, analysts say a Solana run to $300 isn’t out of the question. If the trends from six months ago are replicated, we could see a new all-time high for SOL, a record previously set at $294 in January this year.

Much of the momentum this cycle is again tied to meme coins, and with the launch of platforms like LetsBONK, Solana’s part in the meme coin economy is increasing rapidly. As over 40,000 new tokens launch each day on Solana, most are destined to fail, some are scams, but a few deliver big returns.

Snorter Bot (SNORT) is emerging as an indispensable automated trading bot aimed at sniping that 1% of meme coins that make it big. With sub-second speed, tools to block honeypots and rugpulls, and over $2 million raised, the Snorter Bot presale is grabbing attention as the top new utility project in Solana’s meme coin space.

Solana’s $300 Target a Reality as Meme Coins and DeFi Projects Multiply

In a game-changing development, tokenized stocks have recently gone live on Solana, enabling users to purchase their favorite stocks, such as Tesla, Nvidia, or Amazon, without requiring a traditional brokerage account. Users can buy these tokens on Jupiter or any other DeFi platform on Solana, using a variety of assets, including USDC and SOL, as well as meme coins like BONK and PENGU.

Even the technical charts point to further gains for SOL. A popular Solana analyst, jussy, predicted that Solana could push towards $263 if it breaks resistance at $180. Having just crossed $190, a continuation of its rise towards high $250s could give SOL further momentum to break the magical $300 mark.

The recent rise of ETFs paints SOL’s new climb towards an ATH in a completely different light. Now, with Solana ETFs attracting $78 million in inflows within a few days of their launch and new institutions filing for a Solana ETF, the door to boundless capital from traditional investors has been wide open.

But nothing moves the charts like meme coins. Tokens like BONK and PENGU recently overtook TRUMP as the two largest meme coins on Solana. Bonk’s launchpad LetsBONK is seeing a surge in revenue, too, and it consistently pushes past $400 million in 24-hour trading volume.

The meme meta is what drove Solana to its all-time highs at $294, and it appears that the meme meta will be instrumental in propelling Solana to $300 this time.

However, over 40,000 meme coins are being created daily on the Solana blockchain. It’s chaos where most of the coins have no future. A recent report from Solidus Labs flagged widespread rugpulls and pump-and-dump activity across more than 98% of the tokens launched via Pump.fun, another meme coin launchpad on Solana.

But within that chaos, there’s also an opportunity, as a small percentage of golden goose tokens can return life-changing upside. Around 300 of these elusive coins reach bonding within 24 hours and continue to the next phase, according to the Jup Pro analytics platform.

To survive the trenches and thrive, manual trading and gut feeling may no longer be enough. That’s where Snorter Bot comes in. This Telegram-native bot features automated tools designed to collect the best coins at launch and uses built-in protection against honeypots and rug pulls, providing retail traders with an edge that was long overdue.

Could Snorter Become the Next Big Solana Token?

As the name suggests, Snorter Bot is a trading bot built for Solana. It’s native to the Telegram app, meaning it transforms the chat app into a full crypto trading terminal where users can snipe meme coins and swap tokens with MEV protection.

The bot delivers sub-second execution speed thanks to its own RPC architecture, enabling its users to outspeed platforms like Jupiter. Additionally, the bot offers rugpull and honeypot detection mechanisms which have proven an 85% effectiveness in eliminating scams and malicious tokens.

Another useful feature is its portfolio tracker, where users can easily monitor their cost basis, PnL, and open positions without resorting to an external app or site. And that’s the beauty of its Telegram integration: there’s no need for complex wallet setups or a flood of browser tabs, it’s all within the chat app.

Initially, Snorter Bot will begin operation on Solana. However, the team plans to expand to EVM-compatible chains, such as Ethereum, BNB, Polygon, and Base. There it will be able to capture an even larger portion of the meme coin market and simplify cross-chain meme coin trading for its users.

SNORT Token Cranks the Features Up to Eleven

The SNORT token is a utlity token used to power and manage Snorter Bot’s wide array of features. It’s multi-chain token, available on both Solana and Ethereum, and gives its holders premium access to unlimited token snipes and advanced portfolio analytics.

For those looking for passive income opportunities, holding SNORT unlocks staking rewards, as well as copy trading capabilities, an extremely welcome feature that is rarely seen outside of centralized exchanges. With Snorter Bot, users can copy the traders of their favorite trader while keeping their assets in a non-custodial wallet.

Snorter Bot also leads the way in fees. With SNORT, users can enjoy fees as low as 85%, a considerable discount from the full 1.5%, whereas standard industry fees often go up to 2%.

The analysts at 99Bitcoins see fundamental value in the SNORT token and believe it can take a serious share of the meme coin market.

Snorter Token Next 10X Potential Crypto?! NEW Solana Meme Crypto Trading Bot!!

Why SNORT Could be the Top Solana Meme Coin

Most meme coins offer no tools, no product, and rarely any use beyond price speculation. Snorter Bot flips that model by building real trading infrastructure in a market where speed and protection matter more than ever.

With LetsBONK and Pump.fun showing that the Solana meme coin moment could experience its biggest charge yet, bots like Snorter could become the core tools for traders looking to discover the next big coins and turn a profit. And with over $2 million raised in its presale, this is one of the top Solana projects right now.

Interested investors can buy SNORT using SOL, ETH, BNB, USDT, USDC, or a bank card. Visit the Snorter Bot presale site and connect your wallet to make the purchase. Early investors can increase their holdings while the presale lasts by staking for a dynamic yield of 186%.

Alternatively, download Best Wallet and buy SNORT from the Upcoming Tokens tab.

Visit Snorter Bot Presale

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. ModernDiplomacy.eu is not a licensed crypto-asset service provider under EU regulation (MiCA). Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and involve significant risk. Always conduct your own research and consult a licensed advisor before making any investment decisions.

The parallel rise in run clubs and active holidays has sparked a new travel trend: mara-cations. Budget-friendly and fitting for both group and solo trips, marathon tourism is quickly gaining ground

The competition to secure a spot in the London Marathon has become more heated than the race itself, prompting runners to expand their horizons. Less than a week after the 2025 London Marathon wrapped up, event organisers received a record-breaking 1.1 million applications for next year’s race.

But with over 1 million applicants and typically 17,000 to 20,000 runners successfully securing a spot through the ballot system, the chance of getting a spot can fall under 2%. That’s why many would-be runners are looking abroad to get their fix. In fact, they’re making a trip of it.

Britons’ newfound passion for running has shaped every facet of life, from dating to fashion to travel. Given the high rejection rate of the London Marathon and the increasing appeal of run clubs and active holidays, mara-cations have been rising in popularity.

READ MORE: Running is taking over the UK but do marathon runners know they don’t have to

The travel trend is a holiday hybrid, combining fitness with local and natural exploration. Avid runners in the UK are opting to take on the challenge of marathons in Germany, France and further abroad as a way to enjoy the UK’s new favourite pastime.

A study by Travel Republic found that the demand for “fitness holidays” increased by 84% in April, while Google searches for “European marathons” spiked by 403%. Travel companies are even sponsoring marathons around the world. TUI, for instance, is a major sponsor of marathons in Rhodes and Palma, and recently announced it will be the title sponsor for the March 8, 2026 Cyprus Marathon in Paphos.

The shift from party holidays to active adventures – especially for millennials and Gen Z – has also influenced the classic group trip. Marathon tourism lends itself well to group holidays, an opportunity not to just train and travel together but complete a shared goal.

The World Marathon’s 3 Country race in October offers friends the chance to relay across international borders. Starting in Lindau in Germany, passing through Switzerland and finishing in Austria, runners will get to enjoy scenic views and will be cheered the whole way through.

It can be a financially savvy move for marathoners as well, considering UK races can be pricey. While it’s free to enter the London Marathon ballot, if you are successful you need to pay an entry fee of £79.99 (£49.99 if you choose to donate your fee to the London Marathon Foundation at the point of entry).

List of 2026 marathons to register for now

While less cut-throat than London Marathon entry, aspiring mara-cationers will still need to plan ahead as registration for big 2026 races have already opened. Here is our list of some marathons that should be on your radar for next year.

Italy, Rome Marathon – March 22, 2026: The Rome Marathon (aka Run Rome) brings more than 25,000 participants to run in the City of Seven Hills. Some of the race options include a 4-person relay and a 5km “Fun Race” if you’re looking for something to do with friends.

France, Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, April 12, 2026: Early bird entries for the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris have already opened. One of the largest marathon’s in the world, this is a great alternative for London Marathon regulars that want a change of scenery.

Germany, Generali Berlin Half Marathon, March 20, 2026: Next year will mark the 45th anniversary of the Berlin half marathon, making it the perfect time to participate in the fun. The organisers’ lottery system means that all interested athletes have an equal chance of getting a race entry during the registration period, which is open until May 22, 2025.

Spain, Seville Marathon, February 15, 2026: The Seville Marathon is the third largest in Spain and is the perfect setting for a post-race wind-down. The coolness of Andalusia in February means you will be able to recover comfortably and, best of all, it’s for a charitable cause.

Sweden, Ekerumsloppet, October 4, 2025: There’s still time to register for this 10km autumn race which takes you through scenic off-road trails in the stunning landscapes of Ekerum and Rällaskogen. Tickets are between €14-27 (£12-23).