Regardless of whether you’re a weekend jogger just starting your running journey, an aspiring Boston qualifier, or a seasoned ultra-runner, the Abbott World Marathon Majors represent the pinnacle of long-distance running. The seven marathons, spread across North America, Europe, and Asia, offer much more than a grueling 26.2-mile test. Each race tells a story steeped in history and unforgettable human achievement. Completing all seven marathons is the ultimate badge of honor for many runners.
A Global Series Born From Tradition and Prestige
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) was established in 2006 to unite the world’s most renowned marathons into a singular championship-style competition. It initially comprised five races – Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City – but expanded in 2013 to include the Tokyo Marathon. The Sydney Marathon makes its AWMM debut in August 2025 after meeting the criteria to become a Marathon Major.
The Boston Marathon: America’s Oldest and Most Iconic
Inspired by the marathon event at the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon. First run in 1897, the race has become a storied part of American sports culture. Held yearly on Patriots’ Day, it follows a point-to-point route from Hopkinton to downtown Boston. Half a million spectators line the route, millions more watch on TV, while others get involved by trying to back the winner of the men’s and women’s races after reading the BetUS online sportsbook review.
The race’s unique entry requirements set Boston apart from other marathons. Non-elite runners must meet strict qualifying times based on their age and gender. Upwards of 30,000 participants compete annually in what is considered one of the toughest marathon fields. The marathon is infamous for the “Heartbreak Hill” section between the 20th and 21st mile. Its steep incline and position late in the race make it mentally and physically grueling.
The London Marathon: Running Through Royal Streets
Co-founded by British athletes Chris Basher and John Disley in 1981 after they were inspired by the spirited camaraderie they witnessed at the New York City Marathon, the London Marathon has become one of the most popular marathons on the calendar. It first ran with approximately 7,000 starters. The 2025 edition saw more than 56,000 people take part.
Usually held on the last Sunday of April, the London Marathon offers a flat and fast course weaving through iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. The event is a major charity fundraising endeavor, having raised over £1 billion since its inception. The field typically consists of an eclectic mix of elite runners, people chasing a personal best, and fundraisers donning some of the weirdest and most wonderful costumes you’ll ever likely see on a running course.
The Berlin Marathon: The Fastest Course in the World
Germany’s Berlin Marathon is often where world records are broken. Only 286 runners finished the inaugural event in 1974, but the race has since grown into one of the largest and most elite-focused events on the marathon calendar. It typically takes place in late September, leading to cooler and consistent weather conditions. Combine that with the flat, smooth roads, and you can quickly see why the world record has been broken 13 times in Berlin.
The course starts and finishes near the Brandenburg Gate, a symbolic finishing line that once divided East and West Berlin. In 2022, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge set a world record time for the men’s race of 2:01:09. A year later, Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia set a new women’s world record with a time of 2:11:53. Both records have since been broken at the 2023 and 2024 Chicago Marathons, respectively.
The Chicago Marathon: A Tour of the Windy City
Over 45,000 people compete in the Chicago Marathon each October, traversing 29 neighborhoods and enjoying a dynamic tour of the Windy City. Thanks to its predictable fall weather and flat course, the Chicago Marathon is popular with first-time marathoners. However, only those finishing within 6.5 hours are officially timed.
Although popular with amateurs, Chicago’s race is also awash with seasoned speedsters. The current men’s and women’s marathon world records were set at the Chicago Marathon. In 2023, the late Kelvin Kiptum ran the course in a remarkable time of 2:00:35. The following year, Ruth Chepng’etich set a new record for women at 2:09:56.
The New York City Marathon: The People’s Race
It’s hard to imagine that only 127 runners competed in the first New York City Marathon in 1970 because more than 50,000 runners from 120 countries enter the race each November. Those runners race around Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan, completing a circuit of the Big Apple’s five boroughs.
Getting into the New York City Marathon can be challenging because runners must qualify through time standards, charity fundraising, or a competitive lottery system. However, the race is unforgettable for those who do get in. The crowds that line the streets provide unrivaled support and energy to the proceedings.
The Tokyo Marathon: A Relative Newcomer
Tokyo has hosted Marathons since 1981 but only became part of the AWMM in 2013. Originally only open to elite runners, the modern-day Tokyo Marathon accommodates around 38,000 runners over its flat and scenic course, which passes the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower before finishing near Tokyo Station.
The field of runners in this marathon differs from other Marathon Majors. First, there are far more male than female competitors, and nearly 50% of the finishers in the 2024 race were aged 50 or over.
The Six-Star Medal Still Exists Despite Sydney’s Addition
Completing the original six AWMM races, runners receive the coveted Six-Star medal, often seen as the Holy Grail in the long-distance running world. With the addition of the Sydney Marathon, there are now seven stars to collect. Still, the famous Six-Star medal will only be awarded to those completing the Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Tokyo Marathons.