Based on participation and finisher data from 2025 and 2026, the global running circuit is dominated by the World Marathon Majors, which consistently draw the highest volumes of runners.
The following table lists the most frequented marathons, ordered by their upcoming dates in 2026.
Top Marathons by Participation (2025–2026)
| Marathon | Location | 2026 Date | 2025 Finishers (approx.) | Highlights |
| Tokyo Marathon | Tokyo, JPN | March 1 | 37,785 | Known for its incredible organization and elite field. |
| Marathon de Paris | Paris, FRA | April 12 | 56,950 | Set a massive participation record in 2025. |
| Boston Marathon | Boston, USA | April 20 | 31,670 | The world’s oldest annual marathon (130th year in 2026). |
| London Marathon | London, UK | April 26 | 56,640 | Received over 1.1 million ballot applications for 2026. |
| Sydney Marathon | Sydney, AUS | August 30 | 33,000 | Newly inducted as the 7th World Marathon Major. |
| Berlin Marathon | Berlin, GER | Sept 27 | 55,146 | Germany’s largest; a world-record-breaking course. |
| Chicago Marathon | Chicago, USA | Oct 11 | 50,000+ | Famous for its flat course and loud neighborhood support. |
| NYC Marathon | New York, USA | Nov 1 | 59,226 | Currently holds the record for the most finishers in 2025. |
Notable German Marathons
While Berlin is the heavyweight, several other German races saw significant growth in 2025 and are popular choices for 2026:
- Frankfurt Marathon (Oct 25, 2026): The second largest in Germany with ~12,300 finishers in 2025.
- Hamburg Marathon (April 26, 2026): The top spring choice in Germany, expecting up to 20,000 marathon runners in 2026.
- Cologne Marathon (Oct 4, 2026): Noted for its “carnival-like” atmosphere and a massive 41% increase in participation in 2025.
Key Trends for 2026
- Record Demand: London saw a 36% increase in interest year-over-year, indicating that “lottery” races are becoming harder to get into.
- Expansion: The World Marathon Majors series is expanding; Cape Town is currently a candidate and may join the official circuit as early as 2026.
2026 Registration Status for the Big Marathons
Securing a spot in a major marathon requires a fair amount of foresight, as most lotteries and qualification windows for the 2026 season have already closed or are coming to an end.
Because today is March 16, 2026, here is the status of the “Big Seven” marathons for the 2026 race year:
2026 Marathon Registration Status
| Marathon | 2026 Race Date | Registration/Lottery Status |
| Tokyo | March 1, 2026 | CLOSED (Race completed) |
| Paris | April 12, 2026 | CLOSED (Registration usually ends months prior) |
| Boston | April 20, 2026 | CLOSED (Registration was in Sept 2025) |
| London | April 26, 2026 | CLOSED (Lottery was April–May 2025) |
| Sydney | August 30, 2026 | CLOSED (Ballot was Sept–Oct 2025) |
| Berlin | Sept 27, 2026 | CLOSED (Lottery was Sept–Nov 2025) |
| Chicago | Oct 11, 2026 | CLOSED (Application window was Oct–Nov 2025) |
| NYC | Nov 1, 2026 | RECENTLY CLOSED (Lottery results were March 4, 2026) |
Is there still a way to run in 2026?
Since general lotteries for the major 2026 races are largely behind us, you still have a few “backdoor” options if you are determined to run this year:
- Charity Entries: Many of these races (especially London, Chicago, and NYC) allow you to bypass the lottery if you agree to fundraise for an official charity partner. Some slots remain available until late summer.
- Tour Operators: Specialized travel agencies (e.g., Marathon Tours & Travel) often have guaranteed entry packages that include hotel stays. These are pricey but effective for high-demand races.
- Late-Year German Races: For 2026, the Frankfurt Marathon (Oct 25) and Cologne Marathon (Oct 4) typically offer direct registration until they hit capacity, often staying open much later than the “Majors.”
Planning for 2027
The “Ballot Season” for the 2027 races will begin very soon. For example:
- London 2027: The ballot typically opens the week of the 2026 race (late April 2026).
- Berlin 2027: The lottery usually opens in late September 2026.
Since the major marathons for 2026 are largely closed or in their final stages, your focus for 2027 is perfectly timed.
Most of these races operate on a one-year-ahead cycle. To secure a spot for 2027, you will need to act during the key “Ballot/Lottery Windows” occurring throughout 2026.
2027 Marathon Planning Guide
Note: Dates marked with an asterisk () are projected based on established annual patterns.*
| Marathon | Projected 2027 Race Date | Action Window (in 2026) | Registration Type |
| Tokyo | March 7, 2027 | Aug 14 – Aug 28, 2026 | General Lottery |
| London | April 18, 2027* | April 25 – May 1, 2026 | Public Ballot (Highly competitive) |
| Boston | April 19, 2027 | Sept 7 – Sept 11, 2026 | Time Qualifier (Window is 1 week) |
| Sydney | Aug 29, 2027* | Sept – Oct 2026 | General Ballot |
| Berlin | Sept 26, 2027* | Sept 24 – Nov 5, 2026 | General Lottery |
| Chicago | Oct 10, 2027 | Oct 20 – Nov 17, 2026 | Guaranteed & Lottery |
| NYC | Nov 7, 2027* | Feb – March 2027 | General Drawing |
Critical Next Steps for 2026
To maximize your chances of getting into a 2027 race, keep these three milestones in mind for the coming months:
- London 2027 (Immediate Action): The ballot for London is the earliest to open. It typically opens the same weekend as the 2026 race (April 26, 2026). It only stays open for about one week, so mark your calendar now.
- Boston 2027 Qualifying Window: If you are aiming for a time-qualified entry for Boston, your qualifying race must be run between September 13, 2025, and September 2026. If you haven’t run a qualifying time yet, you’ll need to do so at a certified marathon this spring or summer.
- The “German Double” (September 2026): September is the busiest month for planning. You will need to apply for the Tokyo 2027 lottery in August/September and the Berlin 2027 lottery in late September.
Pro-Tip for Guaranteed Entry
If you want to avoid the lottery altogether, many runners use Marathon Tours & Travel. They often release their “2027 Seven Continents Club” and Major Marathon packages in mid-2026. These offer guaranteed entry if you book a hotel/travel package through them.
