7 Major Abbott World Marathons
Sources 7 Major Marathons
🇯🇵 Tokyo 🇬🇧 London 🇺🇸 Boston 🇩🇪 Berlin 🇺🇸 Chicago 🇺🇸 NYC 🇦🇺 Sydney
- Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) – Official governing body (dates, Six-Star program).
- TCS Sydney Marathon – Official race site (2026 date, entry routes).
- Tokyo Marathon Foundation – Official race site (2027 date, Run as One program).
- B.A.A. (Boston Athletic Association) – Official race site (qualifying standards, cut-off system).
- London Marathon Events – Official race site (ballot, Good for Age, charity).
- Berlin Marathon (SCC Events) – Official race site (lottery, time qualifiers).
- Bank of America Chicago Marathon – Official race site (drawing, guaranteed entry).
- New York Road Runners (NYRR) – Official race site (NYC Marathon, 9+1 program).
- Runner’s World – Running publication (historical date patterns, entry advice).
- Run International – Running publication (qualifying time analysis, cutoff trends).
Her are the confirmed dates for the 2026 and 2027 Abbott World Marathon Majors. Please note that while all 2026 dates are set, the 2027 dates for Tokyo, Boston, and London are based on historical patterns as the official announcements are still pending.
Here are the event dates and the primary entry conditions for each race:
🗺️ Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards (for 2027)
To be eligible to apply for the Boston Marathon, you must have run a certified marathon within the qualifying window. The following standards apply for runners of all genders based on their age on race day .
| Age Group | Men’s Standard | Women’s Standard | Non-Binary Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35-39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65-69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 | 5:20:00 |
⭐ Special Registration for “Six Star” Finishers
If you have completed all six original World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York), you are eligible for a special entry drawing for the remaining races. The following draws are open for 2027 events :
| Race | Draw Opens | Draw Date | Stars Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo 2027 | January 2026 | August 13, 2026 | 4, 5, or 6 |
| Boston 2027 | January 2026 | August 20, 2026 | 4, 5, or 6 |
| London 2027 | January 2026 | August 27, 2026 | 3, 4, 5, or 6 |
💡 Key Tips for Getting In
- Charity is a reliable way: If you strike out in the general lottery, running for an official charity is a fantastic alternative. Be prepared to commit to raising anywhere from $1,000 to over $5,000, depending on the race and charity .
- For Boston, be well under the standard: Simply meeting the qualifying time in the table above does not guarantee entry. For the 2026 race, the cutoff was 4 minutes and 34 seconds faster than the standard, meaning you should aim to run considerably under your required time to have a solid chance .
