The Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) represent the pinnacle of global marathon racing.
Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, and Sydney. They unite elite and amateur runners in a thrilling quest for the Six‑Star Medal.
This executive guide on “World Marathon Majors” covers everything you need to know if you are chasing this dream.
The history, race dates, course profiles, qualification criteria, and medal tracking tips…
What are the World Marathon Majors?
🕰️ History & Founding (2006–Present)
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) were founded in 2006. As a partnership between five of the world’s most prestigious races. Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
The aim was to elevate the sport of marathon running. By creating a global series that celebrated elite athletes and everyday runners alike. Tokyo joined in 2013, expanding the series to six continents. In 2024, Sydney became the seventh official Major, marking the first new addition in over a decade.
Together, these races represent the pinnacle of distance running, offering unforgettable cityscapes, passionate crowds, and highly competitive fields.
Which marathons are part of the World Marathon Majors?
- 🇬🇧 London Marathon 🇬🇧: Takes places in April. It offers fantastic crowd support, scenic route past historic landmarks, and the opportunity to run alongside elite athletes. The London Marathon is a highly sought-after race, not only for being a major.
- 🇺🇸 New York City Marathon 🇺🇸: With its iconic course through all five boroughs of New York City, including crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and finishing in Central Park, the NYC Marathon is one of the largest and most diverse marathons globally. It offers a vibrant atmosphere and a unique tour of the city.
- 🇩🇪 Berlin Marathon 🇩🇪: Renowned for its flat and fast course, the Berlin Marathon is a favorite among runners aiming for personal best times and even world records. The race typically takes place in September and features iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate.
- 🇺🇸 Chicago Marathon 🇺🇸: Recognized for its flat and fast course, the Chicago Marathon is a great choice for runners aiming for a personal best time. The race typically takes place in October and offers stunning views of the city’s skyline.
- 🇯🇵 Tokyo Marathon 🇯🇵: The Tokyo Marathon offers runners a unique cultural experience, with a course that passes by historic landmarks, modern skyscrapers, and traditional neighborhood.
- 🇺🇸 Boston Marathon 🇺🇸: Known as the world’s oldest annual marathon and one of the most prestigious, the Boston Marathon attracts elite runners as well as qualifiers from around the world. The challenging course, historic significance, and enthusiastic crowd support make it a bucket list race for many runners, not only the ones chasing the six stars!
- In 2024, 🇦🇺 Sydney Marathon 🇦🇺 became the 7th Marathon Major!
🏅 Medal Distinctions (Six-Star, Nine-Star)
One of the most iconic goals in the marathon world is the Six-Star Finisher Medal.
It is awarded to runners who complete all six original Majors. Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
This medal has become a bucket-list achievement for runners across the globe and a personal dream of mine. Read about the logistics to register and claim your stars here.
In 2024, Sydney became the seventh Major, but a Seven-Star Medal is not currently being issued. The Abbott WMM plans to launch a Nine-Star Medal after Shanghai and Cape Town become majors. Until then, runners can still earn commemorative pins and digital badges beyond six stars.
🏁 Qualification Rules & Points System
Each World Marathon Major has its own entry rules—some via lottery, others through time-based qualification or charity bibs.
For elite and age-group athletes, the Abbott WMM also runs a points-based ranking system across the races. It awards top performers based on finishing times and placements.
For most amateur runners (myself included!!!), however, the focus remains on determination and navigating each race’s unique entry path.
🏁 How do I qualify for the World Marathon Majors?
Here’s a clear breakdown of the World Marathon Majors entry criteria for 2025, showing which races require qualifying times, what those times are by age/gender, and other entry methods like charity, lottery, or elite/championship entry:
🏁 Boston Marathon (April 21, 2025)
- Qualifying Window: September 1, 2023 – September 13, 2024
- Qualifying Times:
- Ages 18–34: Men 2:55 / Women 3:25
- Ages 80+: Men 4:50 / Women 5:20
- Oversubscription Policy:
- Fastest-first selection
- 2025 cutoff was ~7 minutes faster than the official BQ time
- Other Entry Routes:
- Charity
- Tour operators
- Virtual races not accepted
🇬🇧 London Marathon (April 27, 2025)
- Qualifying Window: Varies (typically October–January)
- Qualifying Times:
- Good-For-Age: ~Men sub 2:40 / Women sub 3:10
- Championship: Men sub 2:40 / Women sub 3:10
- Oversubscription Policy:
- Fastest-first in Good-For-Age
- Lottery for general entry
- Other Entry Routes:
- Charity
- Tour operators
- Legacy runners
🇩🇪 Berlin Marathon (September 21, 2025)
- Qualifying Window: Any time (typically within the past 3 years)
- Qualifying Times:
- No fixed slots; certified times accepted
- Elites: Men ≤ 2:23 / Women ≤ 2:43
- Oversubscription Policy:
- Fastest qualifiers prioritized if entries exceed limits
- Other Entry Routes:
- Charity
- Tour operators
🇺🇸 Chicago Marathon (October 2025)
- Qualifying Window: Typically January–May 2025
- Qualifying Times:
- Similar to Berlin: ~Men 2:23 / Women 2:43
- Oversubscription Policy:
- First-come, first-served for time qualifiers
- Other Entry Routes:
- Charity
- Tour operators
🗽 New York City Marathon (November 2025)
- Qualifying Window: Varies (2024–2025)
- Qualifying Times:
- High-performance standards: Men < 2:23 / Women < 2:43
- Oversubscription Policy:
- Guaranteed entry if you complete the virtual 2025 race
- Lottery or time-based entry for others
- Other Entry Routes:
- Charity
- Tour operators
🇯🇵 Tokyo Marathon (March 2, 2025)
- Qualifying Window: Likely October–December 2024
- Qualifying Times:
- Good-For-Age: e.g., Men ~3:00 / Women ~3:30 (for age 35–39)
- Oversubscription Policy:
- Lottery for general entry
- Fastest-time-first in Good-For-Age slots
- Other Entry Routes:
- Charity
- Tour operators
🇦🇺 Sydney Marathon (August 31, 2025)
- Qualifying Window: Not finalized
- Qualifying Times (speculative):
- Under 40: Men 2:35 / Women 2:55
- 40+: Men 2:50 / Women 3:10
- Oversubscription Policy:
- Likely fastest-time-first in ~600 slots
- Other Entry Routes:
- Lottery
- Charity
- Notes: Sydney debuts as the 7th major in 2025
🏃♀️ Training Tips for Major Races
Training for a World Marathon Major means preparing not only for the distance but also for the race’s environment. Think heat in Tokyo, hills in Boston, or wind in Chicago. Key strategies include tailoring long runs to mimic course profiles, dialing in your nutrition, and allowing enough recovery between races.
Prioritize consistency and cross-training, and if you’re running abroad, factor in time zone adjustment, travel fatigue, and climate changes.
Most importantly, run your own race—these events are a celebration of global running, not just finish times!!
🇬🇧 London Marathon 🇬🇧
Ran in 2015.
Read the post >> here <<
Highlights:
- Iconic Landmarks: The London Marathon features a scenic route that passes by many of the city’s iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye.
- Atmosphere: The race is known for its incredible crowd support, with spectators lining the entire course to cheer on runners and create an electrifying atmosphere.
- Elite Competition: The London Marathon attracts top international athletes, making it one of the most competitive races on the marathon calendar.
🇺🇸 New York Marathon 🇺🇸
Ran in 2017.
Read the post >> here <<
Highlights:
- Iconic Course: The NYC Marathon features a course that traverses all five boroughs of New York City, offering runners a unique and diverse tour of the city’s neighborhoods, landmarks, and bridges.
- Massive Scale: With over 50,000 participants, the NYC Marathon is one of the largest marathons globally, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
- Diversity and Inclusivity: The NYC Marathon celebrates diversity and inclusivity, with runners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds coming together to take part in the event.
🇩🇪 Berlin Marathon 🇩🇪
Ran in 2018.
Read the post >> here <<
Highlights:
- World Records: The Berlin Marathon is famous for its flat and straight course, which has been the site of numerous world record performances..
- Scenic Route: The race takes runners past many of Berlin’s historic landmarks, such as the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral, and Potsdamer Platz.
- Fast Times: Thanks to its flat course and favorable weather conditions in September, the Berlin Marathon is a favorite among elite athletes and amateur runners seeking to achieve personal best times.
🇺🇸 Chicago Marathon 🇺🇸
Ran in 2018.
Read the post >> here <<
Highlights:
- Fast and Flat Course: The Chicago Marathon is renowned for its flat and fast course, making it an ideal race for runners aiming to achieve personal best times or qualify for other major marathons.
- Organization: The race is known for its excellent organization, efficient logistics, and support for runners, providing a smooth and enjoyable race day experience.
- Vibrant Cityscape: Runners are treated to stunning views of Chicago’s iconic skyline and landmarks as they race through the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
🇯🇵 Tokyo Marathon 🇯🇵
Ran in 2024.
Read the post >> here <<
Highlights:
- Cultural Experience: The Tokyo Marathon offers runners a unique cultural experience, with a course that passes by historic landmarks, modern skyscrapers, and traditional neighborhoods.
- Hospitality: The race is renowned for its hospitality and organization, providing runners with excellent support, aid stations stocked with local treats, and enthusiastic volunteers.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: The Tokyo Marathon is known for its use of cutting-edge technology, including advanced timing systems, tracking apps, and virtual reality experiences for participants and spectators.
🇺🇸 Boston Marathon 🇺🇸
Ran in 2024.
Read the post >> here <<
Highlights:
- History: The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world, first held in 1897. Its rich history and prestigious status as one of the most iconic marathons make it a must-run for many runners.
- Qualification: Unlike other major marathons, participants must meet specific qualifying standards based on age and gender to enter the Boston Marathon, making it a goal for many dedicated runners.
- Challenging Course: The Boston Marathon’s course is known for its challenging terrain, including the infamous “Heartbreak Hill” near the end of the race.
Majors