The Marathon Majors Explained: What They Are and How to Run One

Six marathons stand above every other race in the sport. They draw runners from every corner of the world to chase the same shared goal. These are the Marathon Majors, and completing all six has become one of the biggest bucket list achievements in running. Here is what makes these six races so special, and what it actually takes to run one, or all six, yourself.

What Are the Marathon Majors

The Abbott World Marathon Majors is an official series made up of six iconic city marathons. Each one carries its own history, culture, and course.

The Six Races

Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Tokyo make up the six Marathon Majors. Boston is the oldest continuously run marathon in the world. Tokyo is the newest addition, joining the series in 2013.

Why These Six Races Stand Out

Each Major draws huge crowds of applicants and spectators every year. This creates an atmosphere that smaller races simply cannot match. Running one of these races means running alongside elite athletes and everyday runners at the same time. Cheering crowds line the course the whole way.

Race posters covers the full range of poster styles available for these and other races. It is a natural next step once you start dreaming about your own Majors journey.

Boston Marathon: The Original

Boston holds a special place in running history. It is the oldest annual marathon on earth, first run all the way back in 1897.

Why Boston Is Different

Boston requires a qualifying time to enter for most runners. This sets it apart from the other five Majors. Earning a bib here alone is one of the sport's most respected achievements. The course itself is known for its rolling hills, including the famous Heartbreak Hill near mile twenty.

What It Takes to Get In

Runners need to hit a qualifying time based on their age and gender at a certified marathon. Meeting the standard does not always guarantee entry though. The field can still fill up with faster applicants. A smaller number of spots are also available through official charity programs for runners without a qualifying time.

Chicago Marathon: Fast and Flat

Chicago is known as one of the fastest major marathon courses in the world. Its famously flat terrain runs right through the heart of downtown.

A Course Built for Speed

The flat, wide streets of Chicago have produced many world records over the years. This makes it a favorite among runners chasing a personal best time. The course loops through 29 different neighborhoods. This gives runners a genuine tour of the city along the way.

Getting In Through the Lottery

Chicago uses a lottery system for most entries. Your name gets randomly selected rather than earned through a qualifying time. Charity entries and a small number of guaranteed spots for time-qualified runners round out the remaining fields.

New York City Marathon: Five Boroughs, One Race

The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world by finisher count. It draws tens of thousands of runners across all five boroughs of the city.

A Course Unlike Any Other

Runners cross five bridges on their way through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The race finishes in Central Park. The sheer scale of the crowds lining the course creates an atmosphere many runners describe as unforgettable. This is especially true through Brooklyn.

How to Get a Spot

New York uses a lottery system as its primary entry method. Guaranteed entry also exists for runners who meet age-graded time standards. Charity partners and a nine-plus-one program, where runners volunteer and run qualifying races, offer additional paths into the race.

Marathon race poster walks through exactly how a specific course becomes a printed keepsake. This is useful if you want to see this process applied to any of these iconic Majors courses.

Berlin Marathon: The Record Breaker

Berlin has become synonymous with world record marathon times. It has hosted more record-setting performances than any other Major in recent history.

Why Berlin Produces Fast Times

The course is famously flat and wide, with few tight turns to slow runners down. This makes it a favorite destination for elite athletes chasing world record paces. Cool autumn weather in late September also tends to favor fast performances.

Entry Through the Lottery

Berlin primarily uses a lottery system for entry, similar to Chicago and New York. Charity spots are available for runners willing to fundraise as part of their entry.

London Marathon: Iconic Landmarks

London combines a fast, flat course with some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Runners pass Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace along the way.

A Course Full of History

Runners pass by centuries of London history along the route. The race finishes near Buckingham Palace in front of massive, enthusiastic crowds. The course has also produced some of the fastest times in marathon history.

Getting a Bib in London

London uses a ballot lottery system. Demand consistently outstrips available spots by a wide margin. Charity entries remain one of the more reliable paths into this particular Major for most runners.

Tokyo Marathon: The Newest Major

Tokyo joined the Marathon Majors in 2013. It became the sixth and most recent addition to the series.

A Different Cultural Experience

Tokyo offers Majors chasers a distinctly different cultural experience compared to the five other races. Precise organization blends with an enthusiastic, supportive crowd along the entire course.

How Entry Works

Tokyo relies on a lottery system with very long odds for international applicants. Guaranteed entry does exist though for runners who meet strict time standards. Many international runners join organized tour packages that include guaranteed entry as part of the deal.

Becoming a Six Star Finisher

Runners who complete all six Marathon Majors earn official recognition as a Six Star Finisher. This is one of the most respected achievements in the sport.

What the Achievement Represents

Completing all six races typically takes most runners several years. Lottery odds, qualifying standards, and simple travel logistics across six different countries all add up. Each race also demands real training and recovery time between attempts.

Tracking Your Progress

The official Abbott World Marathon Majors program tracks your completed races. It awards the Six Star medal once all six are finished. This gives chasers a concrete way to track their own progress toward the goal.

Planning Your Own Majors Journey

Chasing the Majors takes real planning, since entry methods, travel costs, and training schedules all need to line up across several years.

Start With One Race

Most chasers begin with whichever Major feels most reachable, often based on travel distance or entry odds rather than personal ranking. Completing one gives you a real feel for what the whole journey demands before committing to the rest.

Budget for the Long Haul

Between entry fees, travel, and lodging, a single Major can cost a meaningful amount, and six of them add up fast. Spacing races out over several years, rather than rushing to finish quickly, makes the goal far more manageable financially.

Making Each Major Count

Maybe you are chasing all six Majors. Maybe you are simply dreaming about your first one. Either way, each race deserves to be remembered long after you cross the finish line. Map Medal creates race-specific products that mark exactly these achievements. The Boston Marathon poster honors the oldest and most storied race in the series. It makes a fitting tribute for any runner who has earned that legendary bib. The New York City Marathon poster captures one of the most iconic courses in the world. It makes a lasting keepsake for anyone chasing a Six Star journey one Major at a time.