The World Marathon Majors consist of seven famous races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and new for 2025 – Sydney.

Created in 2006, this series unites top marathon events, highlighting the best in the sport. We’ll explore each race and what makes it stand out.

What Are the World Marathon Majors?

The World Marathon Majors is a prestigious series that features some of the world’s most significant marathons.

Established in 2006, this annual competition has united the world’s best marathon races into a single series, promoting the sport and honoring the incredible achievements of marathon runners. The series includes six major marathons, each held in a different city across the globe, attracting both elite athletes and passionate amateurs.

From the historic Boston Marathon to the vibrant streets of Tokyo, each race offers a unique experience that highlights the diverse cultures and landscapes of the host cities.

Origins and Evolution

The journey of the World Marathon Majors began in 2006 when the series was established to bring together the world’s most renowned marathons into a single competitive platform. The series aimed to unify and elevate the sport of marathon running, offering a structured competition for elite athletes and everyday runners alike.

The inclusion of the Sydney Marathon in 2025 marks a significant evolution for the series, extending its reach to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time. This addition reflects the ongoing growth and global appeal of marathon running, ensuring that the series continues to inspire and challenge runners from all corners of the world.

The Seven Major Marathons

The Abbott World Marathon Majors series consists of seven iconic races. These races are the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, America Chicago Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the Sydney Marathon. Each of these races is a significant event in its own right, attracting tens of thousands of runners each and millions of spectators every year.

Spotlight on Each Major Marathon

Each of the seven major marathons in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series has its own unique story and significance. Let’s look into the details of each marathon, highlighting their histories, key achievements, and what makes them stand out in the world of marathon running.

Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo Marathon is known for its excellent organization and vibrant atmosphere, the marathon attracts runners from all over the world, creating a truly international event. The Tokyo Marathon typically takes place in early spring and follows a scenic urban route through Japan’s capital city.

Starting near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, runners head east through the bustling districts of central Tokyo, passing landmarks such as the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, and the Asakusa district with its historic Sensoji Temple. The course then turns back west through the upscale Ginza shopping district and continues along the waterfront area before finishing at Tokyo Station.

The route is relatively flat, making it popular for achieving personal best times, and is known for drawing massive crowds of spectators who create a festive atmosphere with their enthusiastic support and encouragement.

Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world, with its inaugural race dating back to 1897. Held on the third Monday in April, the marathon is steeped in tradition and is renowned for its challenging course and historic landmarks.

The Boston Marathon follows a historic point-to-point course from rural Hopkinton to downtown Boston. Runners begin at a high elevation in Hopkinton and experience a general downhill trend for the first four miles through Ashland. The course then levels out as it passes through Framingham and Natick, leading runners to the “Scream Tunnel” of enthusiastic Wellesley College students at the halfway point.

The race’s most challenging section comes between miles 17 and 21, with the infamous Newton Hills culminating in “Heartbreak Hill.” After conquering these elevations, runners descend through Brookline and enter Boston proper, making the iconic right turn onto Hereford Street and left onto Boylston Street for the final stretch to the finish line in Copley Square.

Entry into the Boston Marathon is highly competitive, requiring runners to meet specific qualifying times based on age and gender, which adds to the prestige and allure of this historic event.

Read Every way to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

London Marathon

The TCS London Marathon, held annually in late April, is celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse participation. The marathon attracts elite runners, amateur participants, and charity fundraisers from around the globe, creating a dynamic and inclusive event. The course, known for being one of the fastest in the world, has seen numerous record-breaking performances, adding to its reputation.

The TCS London Marathon course takes runners through a remarkable tour of the British capital, starting in Blackheath and Greenwich Park. The route heads east through Woolwich before turning west to cross the Thames at Tower Bridge, roughly halfway through the race. Runners then loop through the Docklands and Canary Wharf before heading back west along the Thames Embankment, passing iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament. The final miles take participants past some of London’s most famous sights, including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, before finishing on The Mall in front of massive crowds.

The course is notably flat, making it popular for both elite athletes seeking records and first-time marathoners, with only gentle inclines around the Docklands area.

Read Every way to qualify for the London Marathon.

BMW Berlin Marathon

The BMW Berlin Marathon is renowned for its flat and fast course, making it a prime location for setting marathon world records. The Berlin Marathon’s reputation for speed and record-breaking performances attracts top runners from around the globe.

The Berlin Marathon takes place on a famously flat and fast course through the heart of the German capital, making it a favorite for world record attempts.

Starting and finishing near the iconic Brandenburg Gate, runners head west through the Tiergarten before looping through diverse neighborhoods like Moabit and Charlottenburg. The course then turns south through Schöneberg and Kreuzberg, passing remnants of the Berlin Wall, before heading east through Friedrichshain. The final stretch takes runners along Unter den Linden, Berlin’s historic boulevard, leading to a spectacular finish through the Brandenburg Gate.

The course’s minimal elevation changes, wide streets, and efficient organization have contributed to multiple world records being set here.

Read Every way to qualify for the Berlin Marathon.

Chicago Marathon

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is definitely known for its flat and fast course. With over 52,000 runners participating each year, it is one of the largest and most popular marathons in the world. The marathon’s reputation for speed has seen multiple world records set over the years, making it a sought-after event for elite athletes and amateurs alike.

The Chicago Marathon course weaves through 29 diverse neighborhoods in the Windy City. Starting and finishing in Grant Park along Lake Michigan, runners head north through the Loop and Lincoln Park before turning back south through Old Town and River North. The course then ventures west through hip neighborhoods like Wicker Park and West Loop, followed by a tour through Chicago’s ethnic enclaves including Little Italy, Pilsen, and Chinatown. The final few miles take runners through the South Loop before a last stretch north on Michigan Avenue, culminating with a slight uphill on Roosevelt Road before the finish in Grant Park.

The course’s pancake-flat profile and wide city streets, combined with typically cool October temperatures, make it a popular choice for both elite athletes chasing records and first-time marathoners seeking personal bests.

Read Every way to qualify for the Chicago Marathon.

New York City Marathon

The New York City Marathon is one of the premier international marathon events, attracting tens of thousands of runners each year. The race starts on Staten Island and finishes in Central Park, providing a scenic and iconic course that spans all five boroughs of New York City: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

The New York City Marathon showcases all five boroughs of the city, starting on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Runners begin with a challenging climb across this iconic bridge into Brooklyn, where they run northward for about 11 miles through diverse neighborhoods like Bay Ridge, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint. The course then crosses the Pulaski Bridge into Queens, followed by the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, where First Avenue’s wall of cheering spectators provides a famous boost around mile 16.

The route then enters the Bronx via the Willis Avenue Bridge before returning to Manhattan for the final stretch. Runners tackle the rolling hills of Fifth Avenue and Central Park, with a final push past Columbus Circle to the finish line in Central Park.

The course is known for its challenging bridges, strategic elevation changes, and the unparalleled energy of millions of spectators lining the streets. Participants experience the unique energy and excitement of New York City, making it a must-run event for marathon enthusiasts.

Read Every way to qualify for the New York City Marathon.

Sydney Marathon

The Sydney Marathon, typically held in late August or early September during Australia’s spring season is one of the Asia-Pacific region’s premier running events.

Established in 2001 as part of the Sydney Running Festival, this event has grown in prestige and now attracts over 25,000 marathon participants annually, combining both elite international athletes and recreational runners.

Known for its scenic but challenging course featuring Sydney’s most iconic landmarks, the event has gained recognition for its organization and the city’s perfect running climate during spring.

The Sydney Marathon begins at Bradfield Park in Milsons Point, offering stunning views of Sydney Harbour before taking runners across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. The course then winds through the central business district and heads east through the historic Rocks district and past Hyde Park. Runners continue through the eastern suburbs, including a stretch through Centennial Park, before heading back towards the city via Oxford Street.

The route showcases Sydney’s scenic waterfront areas, passing through suburbs like Pyrmont and Barangaroo, with challenging elevation changes throughout. The final kilometers take participants along Circular Quay with views of the Sydney Opera House, before finishing at the Opera House forecourt.

The event is supported by enthusiastic local crowds and features multiple race categories to accommodate different running abilities, including a marathon, half marathon, and shorter distances as part of the broader Sydney Running Festival.

While not as internationally renowned as some other major marathons, the course is notable for combining urban landscapes with coastal views and starting in 2025 will be the seventh race in the World Marathon Majors.

Abbott World Marathon Majors Series

The Abbott World Marathon Majors series was created to promote the sport of marathon running and unify elite marathon runners from around the globe. The series originally included five renowned marathons, providing a competitive platform for determining the world’s best male and female marathoners.

The prestige of the series has grown significantly since its inception, making it a coveted goal for marathon runners worldwide.

Six Star Finisher Medal

The Six Star Finisher Medal (which in 2025 will become the Seven Star Finisher Medal) is earned after completing all events in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, signifying an extraordinary achievement recognized globally.

With the addition of the Sydney Marathon, this will inevitably become the Seven Star Finisher Medal.

Global Run Club

The Global Run Club is a free-to-join online community for runners, regardless of ability. It offers virtual events and challenges that connect participants from all over the world.

Runners can share stories, follow each other’s journey, support each other, and celebrate their achievements together, no matter where they are located.

Age Group World Rankings

The Age Group World Rankings in the Abbott World Marathon Majors allow athletes to compete for global recognition within their age categories. This system provides an opportunity for runners of all ages to measure their performance against their peers on a global scale.

The top 2,500 athletes at the end of each season qualify for the Age Group World Championships held the next year. The New York City Marathon will be the World Championship course in 2025.

Notable Records and Achievements

The World Marathon Majors attract the top professionals each year, so naturally, some of the fastest marathon records are set in these races.

Men’s World Records

Eliud Kipchoge is a name synonymous with marathon excellence. He set a world record of 2:01:09 at the BMW Berlin Marathon.

Women’s World Records

Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya set the current women’s world record in the Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:09:56.

Wheelchair Records

Marcel Hug of Switzerland holds the fastest marathon wheelchair record for a male in a Major with a time of 1:15:32, achieved at the 2024 Boston Marathon.

Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland clocked in at 1:34:16 for the fastest marathon wheelchair record at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

How to Participate in the World Marathon Majors

Participating in the World Marathon Majors is unique for each race. Qualifying times, lotteries, charity spots, and sports tour operators are common entry methods.

Here are the various methods outlined specifically for each race:

• Every way to qualify for the Boston Marathon
• Every way to qualify for the London Marathon
• Every way to qualify for the Berlin Marathon
• Every way to qualify for the Chicago Marathon
• Every way to qualify for the New York City Marathon

Future of the World Marathon Majors

The future of the World Marathon Majors looks promising with the inclusion of the Sydney Marathon in 2025. This expansion will bring the series to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, enhancing its global diversity and appeal.

Sydney Marathon Addition

The TCS Sydney Marathon’s inclusion marks the seventh major marathon. This event will be the first major marathon held in the Southern Hemisphere and officially becomes a World Marathon Major starting in 2025.

Potential Future Additions

Further expansion is under consideration, with Cape Town and Shanghai in the candidacy phase. If they pass evaluations, these cities could join the series by 2026 and 2027.

Summary

The World Marathon Majors represents the pinnacle of marathon running, uniting the most prestigious races in the world.

As the series continues to grow with the inclusion of the Sydney Marathon and potential future additions, the World Marathon Majors will remain a symbol of excellence and inspiration in the world of marathon running.

Frequently Asked Questions