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The Abbott World Marathon Majors Explained: How To Complete All Eight Marathon Majors

For many runners, completing a marathon is a huge achievement. For others, finishing all eight Abbott World Marathon Majors becomes the ultimate long-term running goal.

The Majors take runners to some of the world's most famous cities, from the historic streets of Boston to the bright lights of Tokyo and New York. Each race has its own atmosphere, traditions and challenges, making every finish line feel unique.

For many runners, completing a marathon is a huge achievement. For others, finishing all eight Abbott World Marathon Majors becomes the ultimate long-term running goal. The Majors take runners to some of the world's most famous cities, from the historic streets of Boston to the bright lights of Tokyo and New York. Each race has its own atmosphere, traditions and challenges, making every finish line feel unique. Completing all eight isn't easy. Places are limited, ballots are heavily oversubscribed and travelling around the world requires careful planning. That challenge is exactly why earning the famous Eight Star Medal has become one of the biggest achievements in recreational marathon running. What Are The Abbott World Marathon Majors? The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) is a collection of eight of the world's most prestigious marathons. The series began in 2006 with Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. Tokyo joined in 2013, Sydney became the seventh Major in 2025 and Cape Town was confirmed as the eighth Major for 2027. Alongside showcasing elite marathon racing, the series celebrates amateur runners through the Eight Star journey and the Age Group World Rankings programme. The Eight Marathon Majors London Marathon Usually held: April London regularly attracts more than 50,000 finishers and is one of the most popular marathons in the world. The crowds are enormous throughout the course and iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and Buckingham Palace make it a favourite for many runners. Getting a place through the public ballot is extremely difficult due to the huge number of applicants. Many runners instead secure charity places, while overseas runners often use approved tour operators. Here's our post on London Boston Marathon Usually held: April (Patriots' Day) Boston is the oldest annual marathon in the world and is unique among the Majors because most runners qualify through time standards. Meeting the qualifying standard does not automatically guarantee entry, as demand regularly exceeds available places. Charity entries exist but are limited and usually come with significant fundraising commitments. The course is famous for the Newton Hills and the legendary Heartbreak Hill before the finish in downtown Boston. Here's our post on Boston Tokyo Marathon Usually held: March Tokyo offers one of the flattest and fastest courses in the series and has become hugely popular with international runners. The ballot is heavily oversubscribed each year. There are charity places available, although these are competitive, while international tour operators also offer guaranteed entry packages. Here's our post on Tokyo Berlin Marathon Usually held: September Berlin has earned a reputation as the fastest marathon course in the world, with numerous marathon world records having been set on its flat streets. The event attracts runners chasing personal bests as well as those collecting Major medals. Ballot places are limited, but charity entries and tour packages are available. Here's our post on Berlin Sydney Marathon Usually held: August or September Sydney officially joined the Majors in 2025 after meeting the organisation's demanding standards. The spectacular course crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge before finishing near the Sydney Opera House. Demand has increased dramatically since becoming a Major, making ballot places much harder to secure than in previous years. Here's our post on Sydney Chicago Marathon Usually held: October Chicago is another fast, flat course that is popular with runners aiming for personal bests. It offers a large field, enthusiastic crowds and excellent organisation. Most runners gain entry through the ballot, although charity places and tour operators provide alternative routes. Here's our post on Chicago New York City Marathon Usually held: November The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, taking runners through all five boroughs before finishing in Central Park. The atmosphere is unlike anything else in marathon running, with huge crowds lining almost the entire route. Ballot places are extremely competitive, while charity entries are also in very high demand. Here's our post on New York Cape Town Marathon Usually held: May Cape Town became the eighth Abbott World Marathon Major in 2027. The race combines stunning scenery with spectacular views of Table Mountain and the South African coastline. As the newest Major, interest has grown rapidly and demand for places is expected to continue increasing in the coming years. How Do Most Runners Get Into The Majors? There are four main ways runners secure places. Public ballots Charity places Time qualification Official international tour operators For most recreational runners, charity places are often the most realistic option, particularly for London and New York. They allow runners to support worthwhile causes while guaranteeing an entry, although minimum fundraising targets apply. Tour operators can also be a good choice for international runners, combining race entry with accommodation and travel. What Is The Eight Star Medal? The famous Eight Star Medal is awarded to runners who complete every race in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. Each time you finish a Major, your achievement is recorded in your runner profile. Once all eight have been completed, you become eligible for the Eight Star Medal. Many runners arrange for the medal to be presented immediately after crossing the finish line of their eighth Major, making it an unforgettable moment after years of planning and travelling. What Are The Age Group World Rankings? The Abbott World Marathon Majors also operates the Age Group World Rankings. Rather than focusing solely on elite athletes, the rankings allow runners to compete against others within their own age category. Hundreds of qualifying marathons around the world contribute to the rankings, giving runners opportunities to earn points without racing only the Majors. The programme culminates in the Age Group World Championships, where qualifying runners compete against the best athletes in their respective age groups. How Long Does It Take To Complete All Eight? Some runners complete all eight within four or five years by combining successful ballots, charity entries and tour packages. Others spend well over a decade collecting every medal as they gradually secure places. The increasing popularity of marathon running means patience is often required. Many runners treat the journey itself as part of the achievement, enjoying the opportunity to experience different countries, cultures and running communities along the way. Is Completing The World Marathon Majors Worth It? If you enjoy travelling and marathon running, completing all eight Majors is one of the most rewarding long-term challenges the sport offers. Every race delivers a different experience, from the history of Boston to the speed of Berlin, the atmosphere of London, the scale of New York and the stunning scenery of Cape Town and Sydney. The Eight Star Medal is a fitting reward, but for most runners the memories made across eight cities become the real prize. Whether it takes five years or fifteen, finishing every Abbott World Marathon Major is an achievement very few runners ever forget. To find out more and sign up go to https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/

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