Top 10 Races

Motorcycle Racing
Perhaps the world’s most iconic motorcycle racing event, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races begin at the end of May and run for almost two weeks. The TT races treat fans to high-intensity races on the public roads of the British Crown Dependency. The races have garnered an unfortunate reputation for the amount of fatalities that have occurred over the years. Since the 1911 death of racer Victor Surridge, 269 more participants have tragically met their end at some stage of the competition. This led “Sports Illustrated” writer Franz Lidz to describe the Isle of Man TT as “a test of nerves and speed that may be sports' most dangerous event.”

Rally Raid
Ever watch a motorsports race and think “wow, I wish this was held off-road in way more dangerous conditions”? Then do we have an event for you! The Dakar Rally marathon finds all kinds of vehicles (commonly excluding modified on-road vehicles) navigating harsh, unpredictable terrains without GPS or GPS-enabled devices. The rally’s first iteration was held in 1979, ranging from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal. Nowadays, the Dakar Rally is “Dakar” in name only, with its last several iterations having been held in Saudi Arabia. Featuring motorbikes, quads, cars, trucks, and more, the rally is a breathtaking spectacle of sportsmanship — made all the more nail-biting by the possibility of serious safety mishaps.

Road Running
Here’s a race that’s considerably safer than our last two entries (at least, we hope so). This iconic event is the world’s largest marathon, dwarfing its legendary counterparts in Boston, Paris, and London with 53,627 finishers in 2019. A qualifier for the World Marathon Majors, the race is so popular and well-known that a lottery system is required to cull tens of thousands of hopefuls (for example, out of over 200,000 applicants in 2025, only up to 3% will be selected). Starting in 1976, the marathon’s course covers New York City’s five boroughs, starting in Staten Island and finishing in Manhattan’s beloved Central Park. We love New York, indeed.

Stock Car Racing
Time to kick back into high gear in a major way. Described as the United States’ most prestigious stock car racing series, the NASCAR Cup Series peaks with the Daytona 500 — it’s quite literally the best of the best. Its unique timing places it at a distance from championship series in other sports. Despite its prominence and significance relative to other NASCAR races, the Daytona 500, held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida, takes place at the beginning of the year. Sometimes referred to as the “Super Bowl of stock car racing,” the Daytona 500 has long been a venue for some of the sport’s highest-level competitors, like Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip.

American Open-Wheel Car Racing
A sporting event so iconic that the type of race it showcases was renamed after it, there are at least a few reasons why the Indy 500 is commonly marketed as “the greatest spectacle in racing.” In fact, the Indy 500 is so renowned that it’s considered one of the core pillars of the Triple Crown of Motorsport, alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix. A race steeped in a rich history of traditions and rituals, 33 starters face off by racing 200 laps at a total distance of 500 miles (or 800 kilometers). Why not partake in the Indy 500’s historical tradition of swigging a bottle of milk, like the winner does each year?

Thoroughbred Racing
Who said the world’s most compelling races were all run by people? Billed as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” this competition features three-year-old Thoroughbred horses running a thrilling mile-and-a-quarter. Although it shares the title of “Triple Crown” with the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby is unquestionably the star of the show. First held in 1875, the Derby is among the oldest annual American sporting events, as well as the most-watched and most-attended. It’s also colloquially known as “the Run for the Roses,” a reference to the 554 red roses awarded to the winner of that year’s event. Come for the excitement, stay for the unique horse names, which include winners like Mystik Dan, Country House, and I’ll Have Another.

Bicycle Racing
First held in 1903, this multi-stage race has blossomed into one of the world’s most beloved sporting events. The Tour de France consists of 21 stages, like the mass-start and time trial, and always includes a ride through the Pyrenees and Alps. Don’t get confused by the name: on several occasions, the Tour de France has begun in nearby countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy. Often garnering crowds of up to 300,000 total spectators, fans watch eagerly to anticipate which cyclist will win the “general classification”, for which the coveted yellow jersey is awarded. Taking place over the course of just about three weeks, its riders will usually cover 2200 miles in that time. Are you sweating yet?

Formula One
Operating at some of the highest levels of motor racing in the world, the venerated Monaco Grand Prix brings more than a touch of classy, European flair to the sport. The Grand Prix is renowned for its tight athleticism, owing to its narrow, Monégasque course, challenging even veteran drivers to sacrifice speed for safety. It’s also known for grooming some of the sport’s biggest stars, like multiple winners Graham Hill and Ayrton Senna. The Grand Prix is literally like watching history in motion, given that its course has remained more or less the same since 1929. Historically held the same weekend as the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, the last weekend of May is a good time to be a racing fan.

Sports Car Racing
Yeah, chances are you’ve heard of this one. The world’s oldest active endurance racing event, those unfamiliar with the sport may be surprised to learn that this French competition is run a little differently than some of its peers. The main point to take note of is that, rather than whichever driver reaches the finish line in the shortest amount of time, the 24 Hours of Le Mans instead awards first place to the car that goes the farthest in that 24-hour span. Held annually near Le Mans (where else?), this showcase is arguably the car race to end all car races.

Sprint Racing
If you’re looking for an awe-inspiring display of what humans are physically capable of, you’ve come to the right place. Generating such legendary Olympians — and sportspeople, period — as Usain Bolt, Florence Griffith-Joyner (or FloJo), and Sha’Carri Richardson, the Olympic 100m dash is a guaranteed stunner. Bolt and Griffith-Joyner set the men’s and women’s records for speed, at 9.5 and 10.5 seconds respectively. Runners have to take everything into account, be it when to start, how to finish, and even the wind speed. As such, it stands as one of the most daunting and revered athletic sporting events on the planet, the 100m dash stands as one of the Olympics’ most remarkable, exhilarating categories.


Which competition do you find to be the most thrilling? Let us know in the comments!