World Marathon Majors
The Majors from the UK
The Abbott World Marathon Majors is eight races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Six Star is still the original six; Sydney and Cape Town do not replace a missing star. A Nine Star medal is planned if Shanghai completes candidacy. This catalog has trip pages for Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Cape Town Marathon, Sydney Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and New York City Marathon.
8 races · 6 countries · 42.2 km (26.2 miles) · indicative weekends from £560
The 8 races
Open a trip page for indicative UK weekend cost, where to stay, and getting to the start.
Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Marathon
Impeccably organised, wildly enthusiastic and gloriously flat through neon Tokyo.
Boston, United States Boston Marathon
The oldest annual marathon: Hopkinton to Boylston on Patriots’ Day Monday.
London, United Kingdom London Marathon
The world's biggest, loudest marathon down the Thames to Buckingham Palace.
Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town Marathon
Africa’s first World Marathon Major: Table Mountain backdrop, Sea Point finish stretch.
Sydney, Australia Sydney Marathon
The Australian World Major, over the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House.
Berlin, Germany Berlin Marathon
The flattest, fastest big-city course on earth and a world-record factory.
Chicago, United States Chicago Marathon
Flat, fast and loud: Grant Park start and finish through 29 neighbourhoods.
New York City, United States New York City Marathon
Five boroughs, two million spectators and a finish in Central Park.
How the Six Star medal works
Six Star is still six races. Sydney and Cape Town do not replace a missing original. Confirm current rules before you log a medal. worldmarathonmajors.com .
- 1
Get the bib first
Every Major is a ballot, lottery, time qualifier, charity, or tour-operator path. Do not price hotels until the organiser confirms a place.
- 2
Plan the trip around recovery
London is the UK Major. Berlin is the short-haul PB. Boston is a Monday long-haul. Chicago, Tokyo, New York, Sydney, and Cape Town need four nights more than a smash-and-grab weekend.
- 3
Log results for Six Star
Create an AbbottWMM Runner Portal and attach finishes. Repeats in the same city do not add extra stars. Virtual editions do not count.
Which Major should you do first?
Do not collect them in calendar order. London plus Berlin is the UK-friendly pair. Add a long-haul when you can take the leave.
| If you want | Start with |
|---|---|
| No long-haul, biggest crowds | London |
| A PB and a short flight | Berlin |
| The bucket-list city weekend | New York |
| The historic Monday Major | Boston (BQ or charity) |
| A flat US course | Chicago |
| A Japan trip that justifies the jet lag | Tokyo |
| Harbour Bridge and Opera House | Sydney (not a Six Star race) |
| Africa’s first Major | Cape Town (not a Six Star race) |
Planning a Majors trip
- What are the World Marathon Majors?
- Eight races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Six Star is still Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Sydney (2025) and Cape Town (from the 2027 edition) do not count toward Six Star. Shanghai remains in the candidacy pipeline for a planned Nine Star medal.
- Which World Marathon Majors are in the catalog?
- Trip pages exist for all 8 currently listed Majors: Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Cape Town Marathon, Sydney Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and New York City Marathon. Each has where to stay and getting to the start.
- How do you earn the Six Star medal?
- Finish the original six. There is no time limit. Virtual races do not count. Register results in the AbbottWMM Runner Portal.
- Is Cape Town a World Marathon Major?
- Yes. Cape Town joined as the eighth race after its 2026 evaluation and formally enters the series at the 23 May 2027 edition — Africa’s first Major. It does not replace any of the original six, and it does not count toward the Six Star medal.
- Is Sydney a World Marathon Major?
- Yes. Sydney joined in 2025 as the seventh race. It does not replace any of the original six, and it does not count toward the Six Star medal.
- Which Major is easiest for UK runners?
- London is the easiest trip: no long-haul flight. Berlin is the easiest serious PB attempt from the UK. Chicago is the flat US Major and has often been the simpler entry among the six — check the current lottery. Boston needs a qualifier (or charity) and a Monday leave plan. Cape Town is a long-haul but usually cheaper on the ground than New York or Tokyo.
- What does a Major weekend cost from the UK?
- Indicative one-runner totals for the Majors in this catalog run from £560 to £1,715 (entry, UK flights where needed, and hotel). Long-hauls move the total more than the bib. Open a race page for the breakdown.
Other race trips
Same catalog, different list. Or skip the list and get a shortlist.