Road to Six Stars: A Guide to the World Marathon Majors

Road to Six Stars: The Comparative Master Guide to the World Marathon Majors

I. Introduction: The Global Circuit of Excellence

The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) is more than just a collection of races; it is a premier championship series that identifies the world’s most significant marathons. Originally formed in 2006 to crown a professional champion, the series has since evolved into a bucket-list journey for amateur athletes worldwide. To complete the "Big Six"—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City—is to earn the legendary Six Star Medal, a unique piece of hardware that melds six individual medals into one.

As of late 2024, the landscape of the Majors has shifted significantly with the official induction of the Sydney Marathon as the seventh World Marathon Major. While the traditional Six Star Medal remains the primary goal for many, the addition of Sydney (and potential future candidates like Cape Town and Shanghai) signals an era of expansion. For runners embarking on this quest in 2026, understanding the technical differences between these events is the first step toward a successful multi-year strategy.

II. The Entry Landscape: Accessibility and Odds

Factual data shows that simply getting to the start line is often harder than the race itself. Each Major uses a different blend of lottery draws, time qualification, and charity fundraising to manage its massive demand. While Chicago and Berlin offer relatively fair odds for the general public, Tokyo and London are notoriously difficult to enter through the ballot alone.

III. The Course Data: Speed vs. Difficulty

If your goal is a Personal Best (PB), you should look toward the "Speed Majors" of Berlin and Chicago. These courses are engineered with minimal elevation gain and wide, flat turns. Conversely, New York and Boston are "Tactical Majors" where bridge inclines and rolling hills make time-chasing secondary to smart pacing.

IV. The Logistics Matrix: Planning Your Journey

A factual comparison of the "experience" reveals that the logistics of a race day can significantly impact your performance. Point-to-point courses like New York and Boston require long bus or ferry commutes hours before the start, which can lead to leg fatigue. Loop courses like Chicago and Berlin allow for much easier morning routines, often enabling runners to walk to the start from their hotels.

• Field Size and Congestion: New York and London are the giants of the field, often exceeding 50,000 finishers. This creates an electric atmosphere but can lead to significant congestion in the early miles.

• The "Expo" Requirement: All Majors require an in-person bib pickup. In Tokyo and NYC, the security and size of these expos mean you should dedicate a full half-day to the task, whereas the Boston Expo is more centrally located but intensely crowded due to the city's smaller footprint.

• Finishing Logistics: Boston and NYC are famous for "long walks" after the finish line (up to a mile) before you can exit the secure zone, while Chicago and London offer more immediate access to family meeting areas in Grant Park and The Mall.

V. The Six Star Process: Claiming the Medal

Earning the Six Star Medal is a meticulously tracked process. Runners must create a profile on the Abbott World Marathon Majors Runner Portal to claim their "stars" after each race. Once you are confirmed for your sixth race, you must notify the AWMM team through the portal to ensure a medal is waiting for you at the finish line.

Upon completion of your sixth Major you will be included in the Six Star Hall of Fame.

The stats regarding this achievement are staggering: currently, just over 17,000 people in the world hold the medal. The average time to complete the journey is approximately 7.5 years, largely due to the difficulty of navigating the lottery systems. While there is currently no "time limit" to complete the six, the introduction of Sydney as a 7th Major in 2025 has led to discussions of a future "Nine Star Medal" (including upcoming candidates Cape Town and Shanghai), though the original Six Star Medal will remain the gold standard for the foreseeable future.

VI. Summary of 2026 Key Dates

To plan your Six Star journey effectively, you must operate on a 12-to-18-month lead time. For example, the ballot for the 2027 Tokyo Marathon will open as early as August 2026. Keeping a factual calendar is the only way to avoid missing the narrow windows of opportunity.

• Spring Majors (Mar-Apr): Tokyo, Boston, London. (Ballots usually open the previous Spring/Summer).

• Autumn Majors (Sep-Nov): Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, New York. (Ballots usually open the previous Autumn/Winter).

For the 2026 series of races, the table below shows the key dates for the ballots:

Good Luck!