Breaking Down the SEVEN World Major Marathons: A Guide to Joining the Hype.

On October 13, 2024, I completed my sixth marathon. The weather was perfect. The crowd support was energizing. The course was consistently flat, if not even slightly downhill. I ran my personal best time. I shared the weekend with some great friends. I got to celebrate in an iconic city. Everything went according to plan and better. But had the weather been awful, the crowd support been meager, the course hilly; had I have ran my worst time yet, alone, in a bland location - Just the title of the race alone would have made it one of the most sought after races amongst long distance runners. THE Chicago marathon - one of THE World Marathon Majors. Did it live up to the hype? Absolutely. Was it the most unforgettable 3 hours and 40 minutes of my life? Absolutely not. I barely remember a thing about the specifics of the course. I think I blacked out from the overstimulation of the event as a whole. I must have been too completely focused on clenching that PR, while avoiding stepping on others’ heels in my heavily packed pace group, or twisting an ankle whilst traversing the courses many pot holes. I was full-on tunnel vision to the finish - hence why this is not a race recap post, and rather an exploration of the question: where does this hype around these Major Marathons come from?

The Abbott World Marathon Majors—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and as of November 3rd, 2024, Sydney —are considered the pinnacle of marathon running, each offering its own unique blend of challenge and prestige. Complete the original six, and you will receive a special six-star medal. Oooh. Ahhhh. The Abbott World Marathon Majors (originally called the World Marathon Majors) were established in 2006 to bring together six of the most renowned marathons. The aim was to create a global competition for the best marathon runners, with an emphasis on both men's and women's races. Abbott Laboratories became the title sponsor in 2016, which led to the current name.

I’ve exhaustedly searched for a public list of criteria that led to these seven races being chosen, however, it appears Abbott is keeping their specific qualification criteria under wraps. Generally speaking, history, international elite field, logistical infrastructure, course terrain, global exposure, sponsorship, and commitment to athlete welfare and inclusion, in alignment with the AWMM brand are all analyzed when determining if a particular race makes the cut. The Shanghai Marathon and Sanlam Cape Town Marathon are currently under this assessment process to evaluate whether they meet the mark to join this esteemed race series.

While checking off each race is no small feat, is the hype around the major series simply a marketing campaign to get the non-elite running addicts to shell out their pockets for a weekend long-run with a price tag of an upwards of $250? Even if you are prepared for the hefty cost, entrance to these races isn’t just that simple. Most entries require either a competitive qualifying time, a lottery draw, or significant charity donation. Is it the barrier to entry what makes these seven races special? Perhaps it is the slim chance that we could run these glamorized races that keeps us seeking entry to the majors. In the end, it’s the consistent demand we as runners have provided that really give these races their value and world-wide recognition.

I can’t say I’m above the hype though. I’ve taken the bait and now I’m set on one day completing each major, no matter how many races might continue to be added. What can I say - I’m a sucker for a good marketing campaign and bucket list full of big goals. I’m also quite “Type A” when it come to planning race schedules. So here I’ve complied a little table to keep organized an idea of each of the seven Majors’ entry windows and race dates that you as a victim of your love for running, which by default probably makes you “Type A” alike, might also find useful.

Month	Lottery Entry Window Opens	Time Entry Submissions Due	Race Date
February	New York City	New York City
March			Tokyo
April	London		Boston & London
August	Tokyo		Sydney
September		Tokyo & Boston	Berlin
October	Chicago & Berlin	Chicago & London	Chicago
November		Berlin	New York City

**Dates subject to change depending on the year. The table is solely to give a general reminder of when to be on the lookout to enter.

Of course you might want more details about each race, your odds getting in and how exactly to enter or qualify. Click on the quick links below to jump to any particular race.

Tokyo, Japan

London

Boston

Sydney

Chicago

Berlin

London

Tokyo, Japan

The Stats: Tokyo kicks off the yearly cycle of the Marathon Majors in March. Originally launched in 2007, the Tokyo Marathon quickly gained international recognition for its strong organization and large participation numbers. By joining the AWMM in 2013,  it elevated its status among the world’s top marathons, attracting elite runners and bolstering its reputation as one of the most sought-after marathon events globally. One of the smaller races amongst the Majors, permitting 38,000 runners, with an average of 300,000 applicants in recent year, entry to the Tokyo Marathon is highly competitive. There are a few different entry options however.

How to Enter:

• Application Window: June-August

• Depending on entry type: There are several different lotteries depending on eligibility and membership for various groups. If applicants are not selected for one of the first lottery groups, they will automatically be entered into the general lottery.

• See chart of 2025 Entry Schedule for reference:

• Semi-Elite Qualifying Times:

Category	Time
Men’s Full Marathon	2hrs 28min
Women’s Full Marathon	3hrs 09min

Boston, USA

London, UK

Sydney, Australia

Berlin, Germany

Chicago, USA

New York City, USA

If these stats and scheduling were more overwhelming than reassuring, don’t give up too fast! There’s always options for charity entries or through various travel running agencies. These routes may require a bit more money up front, but as they say, you can’t put a price on a dream. Best of luck on your Major Marathon Journey!