December 20, 2025
What Are the Six World Marathon Majors And How Do I Qualify?
If you’ve ever watched a World Marathon Major finish line and thought, I want that, you’re not alone. The Majors pull runners in for a reason. They offer iconic courses, big-crowd energy, deep competition, and the kind of atmosphere that makes 26.2 miles feel like a shared human project.
Then you start researching entry and reality hits: getting into a Major can be harder than running one.
At Microcosm Coaching, we see this all the time. Athletes show up motivated and ready to train, but they don’t know how to structure a Major-qualification plan that actually fits real life.
The good news is that you don’t need a single perfect path. You need a strategy, patience, and a training approach that keeps you healthy enough to take repeated shots.
This guide breaks down what the Six World Marathon Majors are, what “Six Star” really means, and how you can qualify through the most common entry routes—lottery, time standards, charity, travel partners, and special categories.
We’ll also give you a realistic way to plan your season so you chase a bib without burning out.
The Quick Answer
The original Six World Marathon Majors are:
- Tokyo
- Boston
- London
- Berlin
- Chicago
- New York City
These six form the classic “Six Star” journey. You complete all six and earn the recognition tied to that original set.
You may also hear people talk about a “seventh Major.” That’s because the World Marathon Majors have expanded. The Six Star achievement still connects to the original six, but the global Major landscape keeps growing.
Now let’s talk about what actually matters: how you get in.
Majors, Six Star, and the New Reality
Runners often mix three ideas together: Majors, Six Star, and “how many races count.” Keep it simple.
“World Marathon Majors” describes a set of globally recognized marathons with elite fields, major sponsorship, and huge participation demand.
“Six Star” refers to completing the original six races: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
Those categories overlap, but they aren’t identical. Practically, you can train for a Major without chasing Six Star. You can chase Six Star over many years.
Or you can pick one Major that fits your season and treat it as the most meaningful marathon you’ve ever run.
There is no wrong motivation. You just need a clear plan.
The Main Ways Runners Get Into the World Marathon Majors
Most runners enter Majors through a handful of recurring pathways. Each one has tradeoffs. You don’t need to pick the “best” option. You need to choose the option that fits your resources, timeline, and goals.
Lottery or Ballot Entry
Lottery systems reward patience and persistence. Many runners apply year after year. They keep their training steady, build fitness, and treat each application as a long-term project.
Lottery works best when you stay flexible. You may not control the year you get in, so you need a training structure that keeps you healthy and capable across seasons.
A common mistake: training as if the race is guaranteed, then losing motivation when you don’t get selected. We recommend building a season that stands on its own. If you get the bib, great—your plan already supports it. If not, you still race well, stay consistent, and try again.
Charity Entry
Charity entry gives you a more reliable route into many Majors. You commit to fundraising and often secure your spot earlier.
Charity works best when you like purpose-driven projects and you can plan ahead. Fundraising takes energy, and it adds stress. That doesn’t mean you avoid it. It means you treat it like part of the training load.
You build margin into your schedule. You start early. You don’t stack too many major life demands on top of a big training cycle.
If you want the Major experience on a predictable timeline, charity often provides the clearest path.
Qualifying Time Entry
Time-based entry gives performance-oriented runners a direct path. But it also demands honesty about where you are today and what it will take to get faster.
Many runners think, “I’ll just qualify.” Then they realize qualifying requires a multi-season approach, not a single heroic training block.
Qualifying works best when you train consistently year-round, build aerobic depth, and treat speed as a long-term skill. You don’t chase a fast time by forcing intensity. You earn it through a strong base, smart progression, and good recovery.
Tour Operator or Travel Partner Packages
Travel partner packages can simplify logistics. They often include a guaranteed entry option along with hotel and travel support. This route appeals to runners who want certainty and who prefer a smoother planning process.
The tradeoff usually shows up in cost. You pay for convenience and predictability. For some athletes, that’s a great exchange. It reduces mental load, and it helps you focus on training.
Special Categories
Each Major has its own additional entry categories. Some connect to local residency, club affiliation, championship fields, or disability programs. Some races also offer pathways for runners with specific historical participation patterns.
These categories change, so you should always confirm details through the official race. But the big picture remains stable: there are multiple doors, and a good strategy involves exploring more than one.
The Six World Marathon Majors, Explained
Instead of listing races like a brochure, let’s talk about what each Major feels like and how runners most commonly get a bib.
Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo often appeals to runners who want an unforgettable international experience. The city energy feels distinct, the logistics run smoothly, and many athletes love the idea of starting their Major journey here.
Runners most often enter Tokyo through lottery, charity, or travel partners. Tokyo can work beautifully as a “destination marathon,” especially if you build your season around travel, time zones, and recovery.
If you aim for Tokyo, treat your training plan as part fitness and part travel readiness. The best race days come from calm logistics.
Boston Marathon
Boston holds a unique place in marathon culture. It’s historic, demanding, and deeply meaningful to runners who see it as a symbol of earned entry.
Many runners target Boston through a qualifying time. That makes Boston less about luck and more about long-term development. Runners also enter through charity and other special routes, but the identity of Boston still revolves around performance.
Boston also rewards smart pacing and strength. The course asks for discipline early and resilience late. If you want Boston, give yourself time. Most runners build toward it over several cycles.
London Marathon
London draws massive demand. The crowd support can feel unreal, and the experience sits high on many runners’ bucket lists.
Runners commonly enter through a ballot or charity. Some runners qualify through time-based categories depending on the structure offered that year and their eligibility.
London planning requires patience and a backup plan. We encourage athletes to apply while training for another race in the same season. That way you keep momentum whether or not you get the bib.
Berlin Marathon
Berlin has a reputation for fast running. Many athletes pick it when they want to chase a personal best with strong course support and smooth logistics.
Runners commonly enter through lottery, time-based categories (when offered), charity, or travel partners.
Berlin can work well as a “peak performance” marathon if you build your season around consistent aerobic work and controlled race-pace training. The course invites speed, but the marathon still demands restraint.
Chicago Marathon
Chicago often feels approachable for many runners. The city embraces the event, the course supports steady rhythm, and logistics can feel manageable.
Runners commonly enter through lottery, charity, and time-based entry categories (when offered). Many athletes target Chicago as a first Major because it can fit well into a fall season.
Chicago is also a great marathon for learning execution. If you pace it well, you can run strong deep into the final miles.
New York City Marathon
New York City is pure spectacle. It delivers a five-borough tour that feels like a moving celebration—and the course demands respect.
NYC includes a variety of entry routes: lottery, time standards in certain categories, charity, travel partners, and club pathways.
Because the course includes bridges and rolling terrain, NYC rewards patience and strength. If you target New York, train for durability, not just speed.
Is Sydney a World Marathon Major Now?
Yes—Sydney now sits in the expanded Major landscape. Runners often ask whether Sydney “counts” toward Six Star. The classic Six Star recognition remains tied to the original six, but Sydney’s inclusion reflects how the global marathon scene continues to grow.
If you love the idea of running a Major outside the original six, Sydney may become a powerful target. Just keep your goal clear. Are you chasing Six Star? Are you chasing the Major experience? Either can guide your plan.
Which Major Is the “Easiest” to Get Into?
This question shows up everywhere, and we want to answer it honestly.
There is no single easiest Major. There is only the easiest pathway for you.
If you run fast times, “easiest” may mean the race where you can realistically hit a time standard within your training window.
If you have fundraising capacity, “easiest” may mean a charity route where you can secure entry with a strong plan and early action.
If you can pay for logistics and want certainty, “easiest” may mean a travel partner package.
If you feel flexible and patient, “easiest” may mean applying to multiple lotteries for several years while you keep building fitness and enjoying your running life.
Most Six Star journeys require either time, money, performance, or a combination. The most sustainable approach uses multiple pathways at once.
A Smart Six Star Strategy Without Burning Out
We love ambition. We also love longevity.
If you want to complete the Six World Marathon Majors, you need a plan that respects recovery, life demands, and your long-term relationship with training.
Don’t Race Majors Back-to-Back as a Default
You can run multiple marathons in a year, but we don’t recommend treating that as the standard path for most runners. Marathon training creates deep fatigue. It also increases injury risk when you stack cycles without proper recovery.
If you chase Six Star, plan it as a multi-year project. You’ll enjoy it more and perform better.
Think in Seasons, Not Weeks
You’ll typically see two major marathon seasons: spring and fall. Many runners build one major marathon build per year and fill the other season with shorter races, base development, or skill work.
This approach keeps you hungry and healthy. It also gives you multiple chances each year to attempt a qualifier or take a lottery shot without forcing your body into constant peak mode.
Build a Two-Track Plan
Here’s a simple structure we use with athletes:
- Track one: apply to ballots every year you can.
- Track two: train toward a qualifying time if that aligns with your goals.
- Track three: use charity or travel partners when you want certainty.
This keeps your journey moving even when one pathway doesn’t open.
How a Marathon Coach Helps You Qualify and Stay Human
Training for a Major isn’t only about speed. It’s about planning, execution, and adaptability.
A marathon coach helps you choose the right target race based on your strengths, season, and entry path. A coach helps you map the calendar so you peak at the right time and avoid rushed build-ups. A coach also helps you stay consistent when life throws curveballs.
At Microcosm Coaching, we build marathon readiness through long-term development. We emphasize low-intensity aerobic work most of the time. We use speed strategically. We help athletes learn pacing and fueling so race day doesn’t become a guessing game.
Most importantly, we take stress seriously. Your body responds to total stress, not just training volume. When you work with a coach and communicate through daily check-ins, you create a feedback loop that protects your health and keeps you progressing.
This is how runners qualify. Not through magical workouts. Through steady practice, smart adjustments, and a plan that fits a real human life.
FAQs
What are the Six World Marathon Majors?
Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
How do I earn the Six Star recognition?
You complete the original six races and follow the process used to track and confirm finishes.
Do I need a qualifying time for every Major?
No. Many runners enter through lottery, charity, travel partners, or special categories. Some races offer time-based entry routes, but they vary.
What’s the most reliable way to get into a Major?
Charity and travel partner routes often provide the most predictability. Time qualification can also provide predictability if you can hit the standard.
What’s the easiest Major to qualify for?
It depends on your strongest pathway: speed, patience, fundraising, or logistics budget.
How far in advance should I start planning?
Start at least one full season ahead. If you want to chase Six Star, think in years. That mindset lowers stress and improves outcomes.
Can I qualify using a time from any marathon?
Time qualification routes usually require an eligible, officially measured marathon within a specific window. Always confirm requirements for your target race.
What are the 6 SuperHalfs, and are they similar?
SuperHalfs refers to a separate series focused on half marathons. It offers its own kind of journey, but it’s distinct from the World Marathon Majors.
The Real Takeaway
The Six World Marathon Majors represent an incredible set of experiences. But the path to the start line often asks for as much strategy as the training itself.
If you want a Major, start by choosing your pathway. Then build a season that supports repeated attempts without burning you out. Apply to ballots. Consider charity or travel partners if you want certainty. Pursue a qualifying time if you love performance goals and long-term growth.
And most importantly, don’t treat this as a rush job. The best Six Star journeys unfold over time. They leave runners stronger, more capable, and more connected to why they started running in the first place.
At Microcosm, we coach humans through big goals. If the Majors are calling your name, we’ll help you map the path, build the fitness, and stay grounded through every step of the process.