The 8 World Marathon Majors: How to Run Every Race and Earn Your Six Star Medal

If you're a marathon runner, you've probably heard about the World Marathon Majors. These are some of the most prestigious marathons in the world, with tens of thousands of runners in some of the most iconic cities on the planet.

There are now eight Abbott World Marathon Majors, and runners travel around the world hoping to complete the original six and earn the famous Six Star Medal.

But getting into these races can sometimes be harder than running the actual marathon. I know that firsthand. In 2024, I qualified for Boston with a 2:51 at the Jersey City Marathon. Unfortunately, I didn't get to run Boston in 2025. I was in the middle of my Guinness World Record, running a half marathon every day on the same treadmill, so I couldn't travel.

Here's everything you need to know about the World Marathon Majors, including when they happen in 2027 and how to get into each one.

1. Tokyo Marathon (Japan)

• When: March 7, 2027
• Course: Starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and finishes at Tokyo Station
• Known for: Incredible organization, Japanese culture and sightseeing through Tokyo
• How to get in: General lottery, charity entry, qualifying opportunities for eligible runners or approved tour operators

The 2027 lottery closed in August 2026, and only about 1 in 10 applicants got a spot. If Tokyo is on your list, plan for the 2028 lottery or a tour operator.

See the Tokyo Marathon →

2. Boston Marathon (United States)

• When: April 19, 2027 (Patriots' Day, the third Monday in April)
• Course: Point to point from Hopkinton to Boston
• Known for: The oldest annual marathon, Heartbreak Hill and prestigious qualifying standards
• How to get in: Mainly age- and gender-based qualifying times, with limited charity and other invited entries

Running a Boston qualifying time does not guarantee acceptance, because the race can require a faster cutoff. For 2027, the cutoff was 5:17, meaning you needed to beat your qualifying standard by more than 5 minutes and 17 seconds to get in.

The 2028 qualifying window is already open. Here are the best Boston qualifying marathons you can actually get into.

See the Boston Marathon →

3. London Marathon (England)

• When: April 2027 (it may be a one-time two-day event, April 24–25)
• Course: Crosses Tower Bridge and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace
• Known for: Massive crowds, iconic landmarks and an extremely competitive entry ballot
• How to get in: Public ballot, charity entry, eligible time-qualified entry or international tour operators

A record 1.33 million people applied for the 2027 ballot, which closed in May 2026.

See the London Marathon →

4. Cape Town Marathon (South Africa)

• When: May 23, 2027
• Course: Through Cape Town, with views of Table Mountain
• Known for: Stunning scenery, African running culture and becoming the first Major in Africa
• How to get in: Ballot (2027 closed in June 2026), charity places or tour packages with guaranteed entry

Cape Town was confirmed as the eighth Major in June 2026, and 2027 is its first year as an official Major.

See the Cape Town Marathon →

5. Sydney Marathon (Australia)

• When: August 29, 2027
• Course: Crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishes near the Sydney Opera House
• Known for: Beautiful waterfront views. It ran its first official edition as a Major in 2025.
• How to get in: General ballot (2027 closed October 19, 2026), charity entries and approved travel packages

The 2026 ballot drew about 123,000 applications for roughly 40,000 places, so the odds are tough.

See the Sydney Marathon →

6. Berlin Marathon (Germany)

• When: September 26, 2027
• Course: Flat streets through Berlin, finishing through the Brandenburg Gate
• Known for: One of the fastest marathon courses in the world, and the site of numerous world records
• How to get in: Lottery, qualifying-time entry for eligible fast runners, charity or travel operators

The 2027 lottery is open right now, until November 12, 2026. Entering is free, and you're only charged if you're drawn. Results come out December 3.

It's now called the Generali Berlin Marathon. Generali replaced BMW as the title sponsor, so registration is on a new website.

Enter the Berlin Marathon lottery →

7. Chicago Marathon (United States)

• When: October 10, 2027
• Course: Flat city streets through Chicago's neighborhoods
• Known for: Fast times, incredible crowds and being an excellent course for a personal record
• How to get in: Lottery, qualifying times, charity or tour operators

The 2027 drawing closed October 29, 2026, and results come out December 8.

See the Chicago Marathon →

8. New York City Marathon (United States)

• When: November 7, 2027 (the first Sunday in November)
• Course: Runs through all five boroughs and finishes in Central Park
• Known for: Huge crowds, challenging bridges and an unforgettable atmosphere
• How to get in: Drawing, qualifying times, NYRR 9+1, charity or approved tour operators

The drawing usually opens in February. More than 240,000 people applied for the 2026 race.

See the New York City Marathon →

How do you earn the Six Star Medal?

The Six Star Medal is awarded to runners who finish all six original World Marathon Majors:

1. Tokyo
2. Boston
3. London
4. Berlin
5. Chicago
6. New York City

Even though Sydney and Cape Town have joined the series, the Six Star Medal still recognizes the original six. Finishing Sydney or Cape Town earns you a star toward a future Nine Star Medal instead. That medal is planned for when a ninth Major joins, and Shanghai is the current candidate.

There is no time limit to complete them. You can take as many years as you need, and run them in any order.

You also don't need to run a certain finish time to earn a star. You just need an official finish in the results at each race. A DNF doesn't count.

Create a free profile on the Abbott World Marathon Majors Runner Portal to track your progress, and register before your sixth race so your medal is waiting at the finish.

Which World Marathon Major is the hardest to get into?

It depends on the runner.

• Boston: Hard because most runners have to qualify with a fast marathon time, and even then the cutoff can be faster.
• London: Extremely hard through the general ballot because of overwhelming demand. 1.33 million people applied for 2027.
• Tokyo: Limited places for huge international demand, about 1 in 10 for 2027.
• The other Majors: The lotteries can be hard, but time qualifiers, charities and tour operators give you other ways in.

Every race has its own requirements and entry windows, so check each one a year ahead.

Which World Marathon Major is the fastest?

Berlin and Chicago are two of the best choices if you're chasing a personal record. Both are relatively flat and attract competitive runners from around the world.

Boston and New York City are generally more challenging because of the hills, bridges and elevation changes.

My advice for running the World Marathon Majors

If your goal is to run all the Majors, start applying to the lotteries early.

You don't have to be an elite marathon runner to complete these races. Most Majors have ways for everyday runners to get in, through ballots, charities or travel packages.

If Boston is on your list, make a Boston qualifying time one of your main running goals. Here are 5 things that helped me cut 52 minutes off my marathon time and how I fueled to run a 2:51.

Most importantly, enjoy the journey. Running a marathon in different countries is an incredible way to explore the world and experience the global running community. Want more ideas? Here are 6 world marathons to add to your bucket list and 10 bucket-list marathons in the United States.

Summary: the 8 World Marathon Majors in 2027

Entry status as of November 2026. Charity places, tour operators and time qualifiers may still be available for races marked closed.

Common questions