World Marathon Majors
The Six Star Finisher Guide
Everything you need to plan, prepare for, and pace yourself around the world's most prestigious marathons — from Tokyo to New York.
7
World Marathon Majors
6
star finisher medal
Free
pace planning tools
What are the World Marathon Majors?
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) is a series of the seven most prestigious marathons on earth. Originally six races — Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, and Tokyo — the series expanded to seven in 2025 with the addition of Sydney. Runners who complete all seven earn the coveted Six Star Finisher medal, one of the most sought-after accolades in recreational running.
Each major has its own character: Boston is the qualifier you have to earn, Berlin is the PB hunter's dream, New York is the spectacle, and Tokyo is the most organised race on the planet. Below you will find course profiles, typical weather, entry details, and pace planning links for every race.
All seven World Marathon Majors
Listed in calendar order
Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo, Japan
The Tokyo Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, famous for its exceptional organisation, enthusiastic crowds, and a fast, flat course that draws elite runners and ballot entrants from around the world.
Boston Marathon
Boston, United States
The oldest annual marathon in the world, the Boston Marathon is defined by its strict qualifying standards and its iconic course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street — including the notorious Heartbreak Hill.
London Marathon
London, United Kingdom
The London Marathon is famous for its flat, fast course and some of the loudest crowds in marathon running. It passes iconic landmarks including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Sydney Marathon
Sydney, Australia
The newest World Marathon Major, the Sydney Marathon takes runners past the Opera House, over the Harbour Bridge, and through iconic harbour-side neighbourhoods — a spectacular setting for an increasingly competitive race.
Berlin Marathon
Berlin, Germany
The world's fastest marathon course. Berlin's flat, open roads through the historic city centre have produced more marathon world records than any other course, making it the top choice for runners chasing a personal best.
Chicago Marathon
Chicago, United States
The Chicago Marathon winds through 29 diverse neighbourhoods on a flat, fast course with exceptional crowd support. The finish line in Grant Park, with skyline views, is one of the most memorable in marathon running.
New York City Marathon
New York City, United States
The largest marathon in the world, the TCS New York City Marathon takes runners through all five boroughs from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island to the finish line in Central Park, cheered on by over a million spectators.
Plan your pace before race day
The RunReps calculator suite covers everything from predicting your finish time to generating split-by-split pace bands for your target goal.
Race Time Predictor
Estimate your marathon finish time from a recent race result
Pace Calculator
Convert between pace, speed, distance and finish time
Pace Band Generator
Build a printed split-by-split pace band for your target time
Negative Split Calculator
Plan a faster second half with a negative split strategy
World Marathon Majors — common questions
What are the World Marathon Majors?
The World Marathon Majors (WMM) is a series of the world's most prestigious marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Runners who complete all seven earn the coveted Six Star Finisher medal.
Which World Marathon Major is fastest?
Berlin is consistently the fastest. Its flat, open course has produced more marathon world records than any other race. Chicago is also excellent for fast times. Boston and New York are the most challenging for PBs due to their hilly profiles.
Do you need a qualifying time for the World Marathon Majors?
Only Boston requires a qualifying time, which is set by age and gender. The other majors use ballot (lottery) entry systems, and most also offer charity places.
How do I plan my pace for a World Marathon Major?
Use the RunReps Race Time Predictor to estimate your finish time, then the Pace Calculator and Pace Band Generator to plan splits. For hilly courses like Boston and New York, the Hill Grade Adjusted Pace calculator helps you plan by effort on the climbs.