Keyword: Marathon Majors
The ‘Marathon Majors’ represent the ultimate challenge for both elite and amateur runners in the world of long-distance racing. Established in 2006, this prestigious series originally featured five of the globe’s most famous marathons. As of 2025, the World Marathon Majors will expand to include seven events, cementing its status as a premier racing series, with potential for further additions on the horizon.
Understanding the Marathon Majors
The World Marathon Majors series unites featured races in prestigious city marathons to create a year-long championship circuit. Initially comprising the Boston, Chicago, New York City, London, and Berlin marathons, the Tokyo Marathon joined the series in 2013. The upcoming Sydney Marathon will officially elevate the total to seven races starting in 2025, thereby increasing the excitement and competition among runners across the globe.
The Elite Annual Series
The Abbott World Marathon Majors elite series runs annually and includes a total of six qualifying races starting in Tokyo and concluding with the New York City Marathon. This series not only attracts world-class running talent but it also integrates points scored in the World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships. Notably, in years that feature the Olympics and Paralympics, the marathon events contribute to the scoring, amplifying the competition to unprecedented levels.
Innovative Scoring System for Elite Athletes
Within this elite series, a structured points system awards competitors based on their finish positions, with the top five receiving points. For instance, first-place finishers earn 25 points while second to fifth are awarded 16, 9, 4, and 1 point respectively. To be eligible for the overall prize pool, participants must race in at least two of the qualifying events, with only their best scores counting towards the final tally.
Prize Money for Elite Runners
The financial stakes for the Marathon Majors have recently seen significant changes. As of 2022, elite runners and wheelchair athletes now compete for equal prize money, which marks a notable shift in the distribution of funds. The current structure rewards the top five finishers, providing $50,000 for the winner and decreasing amounts for subsequent positions, addressing the competitive equity for all athletes involved.
Marathon Majors Age Group World Championship
Beyond the elite series, the Marathon Majors has also established an age-group world ranking system targeted at amateur runners aged 40 and above. With 350 qualifying races available, athletes are ranked based on their fastest completion times, allowing top-ranked runners to compete in the AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships.
2026 Qualifying Times
While the specific location for the 2026 Age Group World Championships is still to be confirmed, qualifying times for the various age categories have been set. For example, male runners aged 40-44 must achieve a time of 2:35, while female runners in the same age group need to complete the marathon in 3:04 to be eligible for an invitation.
The Coveted Six Star Medal
Many runners aspire to achieve the illustrious Six Star Medal, which is awarded to those who finish all six of the original Marathon Majors. As of the end of 2024, 17,679 runners have joined the ranks of the ‘Six Star Hall of Fame’. Despite the addition of Sydney as the seventh marathon, the six-star distinction will remain, ensuring that only racers who complete the established six events will qualify for this prestigious accolade.
Potential Expansions on the Horizon
Looking forward, the World Marathon Majors may expand further to include a total of nine events. Two candidate races are currently under review: the Shanghai Marathon and the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. These races must meet rigorous criteria over consecutive years before being inducted into the Majors series. If successful, this will lead to the introduction of a new nine-star medal, providing additional goals for marathon enthusiasts to strive for.
For runners considering participating in these elite races, understanding the intricacies of the Marathon Majors series can enhance their training and competitive strategies. Explore more about qualifying times and what it takes to compete effectively in top marathons by visiting [Run247’s insights on marathon training](https://run247.com/running-training/what-is-a-good-marathon-time-average-elite-world-record-marathon-majors-qualifying).
