World Marathon Majors
The Abbott World Marathon Majors are the most prestigious marathons on the calendar — a series of iconic city races that draw elite athletes and everyday runners from every corner of the globe. Browse every race we cover in the marathon database.
Each major has its own character: flat and fast courses built for records, historic routes through world-famous streets, and atmospheres that make finishing feel like a lifetime achievement. Explore course maps, elevation gain, and race-day video for Berlin Marathon, Boston Marathon, Cape Town Marathon, Chicago Marathon, London Marathon, New York City Marathon, Sydney Marathon, Tokyo Marathon.
New to the series? Read World Marathon Majors explained.
Official Abbott World Marathon Majors website →
World Marathon Majors comparison
Compare dates, elevation, and field size across every Abbott World Marathon Major. Follow each link for the full route map, start time, and course profile.
| Marathon | Next race | Elevation | Typical field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin Marathon route Berlin, Germany | Sunday, 26 September 2027 | Rolling · 73 m gain | 48,000 finishers |
| Boston Marathon route Boston, United States | Monday, 19 April 2027 | Net downhill · 248 m gain | 26,000 finishers |
| Cape Town Marathon route Cape Town, South Africa | Sunday, 30 May 2027 | Hilly · 205 m gain | 11,000 finishers |
| Chicago Marathon route Chicago, United States | Sunday, 11 October 2026 | Rolling · 74 m gain | 52,000 finishers |
| London Marathon route London, United Kingdom | Saturday, 24 April 2027 | Net downhill · 127 m gain | 57,000 finishers |
| New York City Marathon route New York, United States | Sunday, 1 November 2026 | Hilly · 294 m gain | 59,226 finishers |
| Sydney Marathon route Sydney, Australia | Sunday, 29 August 2027 | Net downhill · 262 m gain | 35,000 finishers |
| Tokyo Marathon route Tokyo, Japan | Sunday, 7 March 2027 | Net downhill · 60 m gain | 38,000 finishers |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the World Marathon Majors?
- The Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) are the world's most prestigious city marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, Sydney, and Cape Town. Runners who complete all six original majors earn the Six Star Medal; Sydney and Cape Town expanded the series to eight iconic races across six continents.
- What are the 6 Marathon Majors?
- The original six Abbott World Marathon Majors are Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Sydney Marathon and Cape Town Marathon joined the series later, bringing the current lineup to eight World Marathon Majors.
- When are the World Marathon Majors held?
- Each major has its own annual date: Tokyo in March, Boston in April, London in April, Cape Town in May, Sydney in September, Berlin in late September, Chicago in October, and New York City in November. Exact dates change slightly each year — use the comparison table on this page for the next scheduled edition of each race.
- Which World Marathon Major is the flattest?
- Berlin and Chicago are widely regarded as the flattest World Marathon Majors, with minimal elevation gain and fast, straight urban layouts. London and Tokyo are also very flat. Boston is net downhill but includes the famous Newton hills, while Sydney and Cape Town have more rolling profiles.
- How do I get into a World Marathon Major?
- Entry varies by race: Boston requires a qualifying time for most runners; Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City use lotteries or ballots with very high demand; Sydney and Cape Town combine open registration with tiered entry windows. Charity bibs and international tour operators offer alternative routes for most majors.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.