What are the World Marathon Majors?
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) are the premier series in road running: the world's greatest marathons united in one championship — Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York since the series' 2006 founding, joined by Sydney in 2025 as the seventh Major.[1] [2]
What are the seven races?
| Major | Notes |
|---|---|
| Boston Marathon | Since 1897 — the world's oldest annual marathon; qualifying-time entry |
| TCS New York City Marathon | Since 1970 — the world's largest marathon |
| BMW Berlin Marathon | Since 1974 — the record course: most marathon world records set here |
| Bank of America Chicago Marathon | Since 1977 — world-record stage of recent years |
| TCS London Marathon | Since 1981 — the deepest elite fields in the sport |
| Tokyo Marathon | Since 2007 — Asia's Major (in the series since 2013) |
| TCS Sydney Marathon | Joined 2025 — the first Major in the Southern Hemisphere |
How does the series work?
Elite champions and placings across the Majors decide the series titles, while mass participants who complete all the original six earn the famous Six Star Finisher medal. Elite entry is by invitation and qualifying standard; Boston's age-group qualifying times are the most famous entry standard in running.[1] [3]
Why do the Majors matter?
A Majors podium — or even an elite-field invitation — is the defining credential of professional road running: these are the races where world records fall, where champions are measured, and where the sport's prize money concentrates. AWMM results are the marathon's equivalent of Grand Slam results.[1] [2]
References
- Abbott World Marathon Majors — Sydney joins the Majors. Accessed August 2026.
- Abbott — Sydney Marathon is the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major. Accessed August 2026.
- Abbott World Marathon Majors — official site. Accessed August 2026.