Get to Know the Abbott World Marathon Majors

January 28th, 2026 by Mike Sohaskey

(Photos [except Sydney] and logos: Abbott World Marathon Majors)

With the new year underway and many of us eyeing ambitious goals and resolutions, there’s no better time to plan out your 2026 (and beyond!) race schedule. For many runners this schedule will include one or more “bucket list” races, chief among these the seven marathons that comprise the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM). Founded in 2006 to advance the sport and raise awareness of its elite athletes, the World Marathon Majors are—in chronological order—Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York City.

Why Run the Abbott World Marathon Majors?

Due to their outsized popularity, registration for each of these seven prestigious events is restricted to a lottery selection process or other approved qualifying method (e.g. finish time or charitable fundraising), further enhancing each race’s prestige and perpetuating the cycle. As the number of applications continues to grow—London alone received a world-record 1,133,813 applications for the 2026 race—the odds of lottery success continue to shrink, and gaining entry to each of these events has become as easy as running in high heels.

Adding to the challenge (and the cachet), you’ll need to complete all six flagship events—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City—to earn what many consider marathon running’s Holy Grail: the Six Star Finisher Medal.

At the same time the series continues to expand, and with the announcement of Sydney as the 7th member in Nov 2024, AWMM organizers unveiled plans for an eventual Nine Star Finisher Medal to be finalized as early as 2027. Toward that goal, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa passed stage one of the candidacy process in Nov 2024; stage two evaluation was deferred after the 2025 event was canceled due to high winds. Likewise, the Shanghai Marathon is currently being assessed as China’s AWMM candidate race. Stay tuned!

(Note that, social media FOMO notwithstanding, there is NO time limit to finish all six required Majors in order to earn the Six Star Medal—you can take as many years as you’d like to complete your journey.)

With all that in mind (clear as mud, right?), we’ve created the following primer to demystify the World Marathon Majors application process. Our handy step-by-step guide will help you plan accordingly, reduce anxiety, and optimize your chances of success.

Getting into the Abbott World Marathon Majors

Several entry points exist for AWMM hopefuls. While guaranteed entries for locals are available in some cases—for instance, the 9+1 Program created by the New York Road Runners (NYRR) or the legacy programs offered by Boston, Chicago and New York City—here we touch on the five modes of entry targeted by the vast majority of runners.

1. Enter the lottery

Submit your free online application 6–12 months prior to the race date. Below are some key dates to keep in mind—the exact dates vary by year, but this is representative of the timetable for each race:

2. Run for charity

This approach requires a fundraising minimum for guaranteed entry, and since each event partners with dozens to hundreds of official charities, you’re sure to find a cause that inspires you.

3. Channel your inner cheetah

Run fast enough to meet the time-based qualifying standards. Boston has no random lottery, and so a qualifying time is mandatory (see below; charity runners excepted). London’s Good For Age Entry is valid only for UK residents, while New York City is the only AWMM member that accepts a qualifying standard for the half marathon distance, albeit for in-person NYRR half marathons only.

4. Contact a tour operator

Reserve a package deal that includes travel, lodging, and a guaranteed race entry. With a tour operator you avoid the lottery, plus you’ll know within days or weeks whether you’ve secured a spot. And if you do happen to gain entry via the official race lottery, any reputable tour operator will credit you the price of their guaranteed entry. Yes, you’ll pay a bit of a premium for the convenience, but for those seeking a hassle-free way to control their own destiny—especially those who want to run with friends or family—this option may be the best bet.

As the title sponsor of the AbbottWMM Age Group World Championships (see below), Marathon Tours & Travel works closely with the AWMM team, and having traveled abroad with them several times we can vouch for their professionalism. Likewise, Fitness International Travel (FIT) and Sports Tours International offer packages with guaranteed entries for London, Sydney, Berlin, and—in the case of FIT—Chicago.

5. Enter the second-chance drawing

To help athletes complete their Six Star journey, AWMM allots up to 2,000 slots (distributed across the seven World Marathon Majors) in a second-chance draw process to runners who have earned at least three of their seven stars. To be eligible for the second-chance drawing, Six Star hopefuls must maintain an updated profile and claim their stars on the official AWMM website.

Similarly, in December 2025 the AbbottWMM Global Run Club announced the return of Road To The Majors, a series of virtual half marathons throughout the year, to give runners who have earned at least three of their seven stars additional entries into the second-chance drawing for any Major they still need to complete. Registration for each virtual race costs $50.

NOTE: We recommend joining the official AbbottWMM Six Star Journey Facebook group and following each of the seven events on social media to stay informed of time-sensitive offers. Case in point the TCS New York City Marathon, in partnership with Strava, awards a limited number of guaranteed, non-complimentary entries to the next year’s marathon for runners who register for and complete a virtual (and verifiable) 26.2-mile run anywhere in the world during a specified timeframe (typically early November to coincide with the in-person marathon). Registration for this Virtual 26.2M opens in June via its own non-guaranteed entry drawing.

Presenting the Abbott World Marathon Majors

Tokyo Marathon

Mar 1, 2026
RaceRaves rating: 3.7 out of 5 (41 reviews)

One of the most populated metropolitan areas on the planet is also home to one of its biggest, boldest, and most dynamic race-day experiences. Billed as “The Day We Unite,” the lone Asian member of the AWMM has a capacity of 38,500 marathoners (plus 500 10.7-km runners) and the highest male:female participant ratio of the series at approximately 3:1. With its streamlined production and upwards of one million enthusiastic spectators who line the crowded course at every turn, Tokyo offers its runners a unique cultural adventure in one of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.

Click for details on Tokyo’s “RUN with HEART” charity entry and “RUN as ONE” time-qualifying standards. Charity Runner entry typically opens on a first-come, first-served basis in late June or early July.

Cutoff time: Seven hours (two hours, ten minutes for wheelchair athletes) based on gun time, with the cutoff time enforced at each checkpoint due to reasons of traffic control, security, and event operation.

Boston Marathon

Apr 20, 2026
RaceRaves rating: 4.8 out of 5 (106 reviews) 🏆

Now in its 130^th year, the world’s oldest annual marathon is the race at the top of every serious marathoner’s wish list. And the event—held each year on Patriots’ Day—lives up to the hype with top-notch choreography, raucous crowds, and its renowned unicorn medal waiting to celebrate your achievement at the finish. But here’s the catch—Boston is the only member of the series with strict age- and gender-adjusted qualifying standards, while a fundraising minimum exists for those looking to qualify as charity runners. No matter how you get there, though, “Right on Hereford, left on Boylston” are two directions you won’t soon forget.

👉 Looking to qualify for Boston in 2027? Get started with our trusted guide to the top Boston Marathon qualifying races across North America.

Click for details on Boston’s official charity program. See below for time qualifying standards, updated for the 2027 race. For UK residents, a limited number of guaranteed entries are available for purchase each year on a priority basis from Sports Tours International Limited and on a lottery basis from 2:09 Events.

Cutoff time: Six hours from the time the last starter crosses the start line in Hopkinton. The official finish line closes at 5:30pm.

TCS London Marathon

Apr 26, 2026
RaceRaves rating: 4.2 out of 5 (41 reviews)

With its densely packed field boasting all manner of costumed runners, London has earned a reputation as the ultimate 26.2-mile party. The course passes many of the city’s historic landmarks including Big Ben and Tower Bridge while finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. Runners agree that London is unrivaled for its quality of spectator support, with RaceRaves member Lorelei S. calling its crowds “the best on the planet”. At the same time it’s one of the most difficult races on the planet to get into, with an estimated acceptance rate of—this is not a typo—around 2% of lottery entrants. Crikey!

Click for details on charity entry and Good For Age (exclusive to UK residents) time-qualifying standards.

Cutoff time: Eight hours from the time the last starter crosses the start line in Greenwich/Blackheath.

TCS Sydney Marathon

Aug 30, 2026
RaceRaves rating: 3.9 out of 5 (19 reviews)

Few cityscapes worldwide boast the visual allure of Sydney Harbour, and the newest member of the AWMM smartly plays to that strength. Established in 2001, the TCS Sydney Marathon is the sole remaining legacy of the 2000 Summer Olympics. The rolling route (the hilliest of the Majors) showcases parks, commercial districts, and residential neighborhoods highlighted by a traffic-free crossing of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And the course saves the best for last with arguably the most photogenic finish line in the business, a downhill finale ending at the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Click for details on charity entry and High Performance Program time-qualifying standards.

Cutoff time: Seven hours, with cutoff checkpoints along the route.

BMW Berlin Marathon

Sep 27, 2026
RaceRaves rating: 4.1 out of 5 (91 reviews)

The fact that eight of the past nine men’s marathon world records (most recently in 2022) were set in Berlin speaks to the course’s fast and flat profile. As the first of three World Marathon Majors staged in the fall, Berlin typically offers ideal running weather on a course that showcases one of the world’s most historically significant cities. Though the crowded, narrow streets at times may feel more like a parade route than a marathon course, arguably no home stretch in the sport inspires such raw emotion as passing through the Brandenburg Gate with the Tiergarten finish line in sight.

Click for details on charity entry and time-qualifying standards.

Cutoff time: Six hours, 15 minutes after passing the start-line time measure mat; participants who do not meet this time limit must leave the course and continue on the sidewalk or ride in the broom wagon to the finish, and are not eligible to receive a medal, refreshment, massage, or poncho.

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Oct 11, 2026
RaceRaves rating: 4.7 out of 5 (187 reviews) 🏆

With both the men’s (2:00:35, 2023) and women’s (2:09:56, 2024) world records to its credit, Chicago can rightly claim the title of “City of Records.” Its fast, flat course takes runners on a scenic urban tour of ethnically diverse neighborhoods, while the city’s Midwestern hospitality shines through in jovial strangers congratulating you for hours after the race. And Chicago’s relatively sensible acceptance rates remain among the highest of the Majors. From its wide streets that afford ample elbow room to its spacious finish in Grant Park, Chicago offers everything you could want in a big-city race.

Click for details on charity entry and time-qualifying standards. To secure guaranteed entry, runners must meet age-graded qualifying standards or qualify for the event’s High Performance Program (limit 150 participants) which rewards the fastest sub-elite athletes.

Cutoff time: Six hours, 30 minutes (approximately 15 minutes per mile) from start line to finish line; participants must meet this time limit in order to be recorded as an official finisher and to receive full on-course support from aid stations and traffic safety personnel.

TCS New York City Marathon

Nov 1, 2026
RaceRaves rating: 4.6 out of 5 (148 reviews)

Annually the largest marathon in the world, New York is the 800-pound gorilla of the series with a world-record 59,226 runners crossing its Central Park finish line in 2025. Its sprawling course traverses the city’s five boroughs, starting on the Verrazano–Narrows Bridge in Staten Island and passing through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before finishing in Manhattan. And like the city itself, the race attracts a decidedly international field, with runners from all 50 U.S. states and (in 2025) 130 countries. If you’re looking for 26.2 miles of memories, no race does “epic” on a grander scale than New York City.

Click for details on charity entry and time-qualifying standards for marathons and in-person NYRR half marathons.

Cutoff time: The race officially ends at 10:00pm EST; participants crossing the finish line after 10:00pm will not be recorded as official finishers but will receive a finisher medal. Sweep buses will follow the marathon route at a pace of 7 hours (approximately 16 minutes per mile) after the final wave start; once these buses pass the streets will reopen to traffic, services such as aid stations and medical assistance will no longer be available, and participants on the course should move onto the sidewalks.

Age Group World Rankings

Complementing its long-time focus on professional athletes, in 2018 the series launched the AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Rankings to celebrate the achievements of age-group marathoners and “everyday champions.” Each year, marathon runners in nine separate age groups (ages 40–80+) can compete at any of 380+ Age Group Qualifying Races worldwide to earn an Automatic Qualifying Time. At the end of each qualifying period (Oct 1, 2025–Sept 30, 2026 for the 2027 edition), the top-ranked age-group runners are invited to compete in the AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championship, which typically takes place in tandem with one of the seven World Marathon Majors.

For the sixth edition, the Age Group World Championship will take place at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on May 24, 2026.

Conclusion

Whether you’re seeking the perfect first-time marathon or chasing the coveted Six Star Finisher Medal, the Abbott World Marathon Majors offers something for every running enthusiast. If you’ve run one or more of these races, we and your fellow runners would love for you to post your review(s) and share your experiences here on RaceRaves!

For Boston hopefuls, our Best Bets for Boston Marathon Qualifying Races
Our insider’s guide to Racing & Spectating the Chicago Marathon
Our interview with Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray, who completed seven marathons on seven continents in seven days

Author: Mike Sohaskey

Mike Sohaskey is the co-founder of RaceRaves, the premier online reviews community for runners to share their race experiences and find their next challenge. Mike honed his creative and critical thinking skills as a research scientist, earning a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Stanford. He’s completed over 120 races—including 60+ marathons and ultras plus the original six Abbott World Marathon Majors—on all seven continents, in locations ranging from Antarctica to Zimbabwe.