Runners who chase the elite circuit soon learn about the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series that now counts eight races—Berlin, Boston, Cape Town, Chicago, London, New York City, Tokyo and Sydney. Since 2016 participants who finish all events earn a six-star medal, and organizers are eyeing a nine-star version when a ninth race joins.
To join the club, a marathon must satisfy a detailed checklist covering everything from aid-station spacing to finish-line logistics, according to former WMM executive director Tim Hadzima. “The criteria are very specific and meant to cover every aspect of the race,” he told Runner’s World.
Each major sticks to a traditional weekend. In 2026-27 the schedule runs from Sydney on the last Sunday in August (August 29 2027) through New York City on the first Sunday in November (Nov 1 2026). Berlin follows on September 27 2026, Chicago on Oct 11 2026, Boston on April 19 2027, London on April 25 2027 and Cape Town on May 23 2027.
How runners can secure a bib
All majors operate a selection system, but runners who miss the time standard can still earn a spot through charity slots or travel-group packages. Charity entries usually require a fundraising minimum that varies by race, while companies like Marathon Tours Travel guarantee entry and handle logistics.
Tokyo opens registration in August. The “Run As One” program offers 25 semi-elite men’s slots (sub-2:28) and 25 women’s slots (sub-2:54). If more than 25 athletes meet the standard, the fastest times receive the bibs.
Boston runs a five-day registration window where any qualifier may sign up, even if they beat the standard by a single second. The 2026 standards tightened by roughly five minutes for ages 18-59, and net-downhill adjustments will affect 2027 qualifiers.
For most runners, juggling multiple qualification windows means planning years in advance and budgeting for travel, entry fees and potential charity fundraising. Missing a deadline can set back a marathon-tour by an entire season, turning a dream into a long-term project.
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Lottery odds and record demand
London relies on a lottery system. Applications open between April and May, and results are announced in June or July. For 2027, U.K. applications exceeded one million, with about 300,000 international entries.
Berlin starts its registration in mid-October. Fast qualifiers secure a bib immediately, while others enter a lottery that is less crowded than London’s.
Entry pathways beyond time standards
Sydney employs a ballot system that opens in late September and closes in mid-October for the following year’s race. Applicants submit their information during this window and are selected randomly, giving non-elite athletes a realistic chance at the course.
Cape Town follows a similar random ballot approach for its inaugural 2027 edition, with organizers encouraging prospective runners to begin planning for the 2028 race. The course features flat terrain and scenic views of Table Mountain, while the official time limit stands at six hours and thirty minutes.
Chicago rewards repeat participants through a legacy policy. Runners who have completed the marathon five times in the past decade automatically earn a spot, as do those who finish the Chicago Distance Series, a combination of an 8K, a half-marathon, and the full marathon, in the preceding year. Age-group time qualifiers also secure entries without entering a lottery.
New York City offers the “9+1” program for local runners through the New York Road Runners club.
Medals, milestones and future expansion
Since its inception in 2006, the Abbott World Marathon Majors series has awarded more than twenty-three thousand six-star medals to runners who have completed every major race. Among those achievers, over five thousand are United States citizens, highlighting the series’ growing popularity in North America.
