How to Get Into the Abbott World Marathon Majors
The Abbott World Marathon Majors represent the pinnacle of marathon running, bringing together some of the most iconic races on the planet.
The series currently includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney, with Cape Town recently announced as the eighth Abbott World Marathon Major. Shanghai is also widely expected to be the next addition to the series.
For many runners, completing the Majors has become one of the sport's ultimate achievements. The challenge, however, isn't just running the races - it's getting into them.
With lotteries, qualifying standards, charity places and tour operator allocations all varying by race, understanding your options can make the difference between standing on the start line and waiting another year.
The Four Main Ways to Get In
Lottery
The cheapest option, but often the least reliable. Some Major lotteries attract hundreds of thousands of applications.
Qualifying Time
Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York all offer qualification standards for faster runners.
Charity Entry
Many runners secure guaranteed entries through official charity partners. Fundraising requirements vary dramatically between races.
Official Tour Operators
Tour operators receive allocations directly from race organisers and can often provide guaranteed race entry alongside accommodation and local support.
1. Tokyo Marathon
Race Date: March
Key Dates
- Charity Applications: June-July
- Ballot Opens: August
- Results Announced: September
How to Get In
- Ballot
- Charity Entry
- ONE TOKYO Membership
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
Don't rely on the ballot.
Tokyo's charity system is one of the best-kept secrets in marathon running. Rather than fundraising after acceptance, runners pledge a donation amount upfront. Historically, runners pledging around $1,000 USD or more have had a very strong chance of securing an entry.
If Tokyo is high on your list, charity is often the smartest route.
2. Boston Marathon
Race Date: April
Key Dates
- Registration: September
How to Get In
- Qualifying Time
- Charity Entry
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
Boston is different.
The B.A.A. recently tightened qualifying standards by five minutes and introduced adjustments for downhill qualifying courses. Simply running the published standard is rarely enough. Historically, runners have often needed a buffer of several minutes beyond their qualifying time to gain entry.
If you're within 5-10 minutes of a BQ, we'd focus on qualifying rather than charity.
Why? Because Boston charity places often require $10,000-$15,000+ in fundraising. For most runners, finding a few extra minutes in a marathon is easier than raising $15,000.
3. London Marathon
Race Date: April
Key Dates
- Ballot Opens: Usually around race weekend
- Results Announced: July
How to Get In
- Ballot
- Charity Entry
- Good For Age
- Championship Entry
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
Apply for the ballot every year, but don't build your plans around it.
With more than 1.3 million applications for the 2027 race, the odds are extremely tough.
Instead, we'd strongly encourage runners to explore the charity route. In many ways, supporting a charity is part of what makes London special. The event has raised more money for charity than any marathon in the world.
Many charities offer guaranteed entries with fundraising targets starting around £2,000, making London one of the most accessible Major charity programs.
4. Berlin Marathon
Race Date: September
Key Dates
- Lottery Opens: September
- Results Announced: December
How to Get In
- Lottery
- Time Qualification
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
Berlin is often the easiest Major to underestimate.
The lottery is generally more achievable than London, Tokyo or New York, and the course remains the fastest in the Major series.
If you're chasing a personal best and a star at the same time, Berlin should be near the top of your list.
5. Sydney Marathon
Race Date: September
How to Get In
- Ballot
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
Demand has exploded since Sydney became a Major.
If Sydney is on your list, don't assume it'll remain easy to enter. We'd expect demand to continue increasing as more runners work towards completing the series.
6. Chicago Marathon
Race Date: October
Key Dates
- Lottery Opens: October
- Results Announced: December
How to Get In
- Lottery
- Time Qualification
- Charity Entry
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
Chicago is often the best Major to target early in your journey.
The lottery is generally stronger than London, Tokyo and New York, while also offering multiple alternative routes through qualification, charity and tour operators.
7. New York City Marathon
Race Date: November
Key Dates
- Lottery Opens: February
- Results Announced: March
How to Get In
- Lottery
- Time Qualification
- Charity Entry
- NYRR 9+1 Program
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
The New York lottery is notoriously difficult.
If you don't qualify, charity and tour operator packages are often the most predictable routes onto the start line.
Fortunately, New York offers more entry pathways than almost any other Major.
8. Cape Town Marathon
Race Date: 23 May 2027
How to Get In
- Lottery
- Charity Entry
- Official Tour Operators
Race Beyond Advice
Demand is likely to be enormous.
This isn't simply another race. It's Africa's first Abbott World Marathon Major and the newest star available to runners around the world.
The organisers have already confirmed a lottery system for 2027. We expect demand to significantly exceed supply, particularly during the first few years.
If Cape Town is a priority race, apply early and don't rely on a single route into the event.
What About Shanghai?
Shanghai remains the leading candidate to become the ninth Abbott World Marathon Major.
No timeline has been announced, but many runners are already watching developments closely as the series continues to expand.
Beyond the Majors
The Abbott World Marathon Majors are incredible experiences, but they're not the only great marathons in the world.
In fact, some of our favourite races sit outside the Major series altogether.
If you're struggling to secure an entry, or simply want to explore something different, don't overlook races such as Paris, Valencia and Rio de Janeiro.
Paris combines one of the world's largest fields with an iconic city-centre course that we'd comfortably rank ahead of several current Majors.
Valencia has become the marathon of choice for runners chasing a personal best, thanks to its flat course, cool conditions and exceptional organisation.
And then there's Rio. Beachfront running, a festival atmosphere, breathtaking scenery and one of the most memorable race weekends we've ever experienced.
Final Thoughts
The goal isn't simply to collect stars.
It's to experience great races, explore new cities and create unforgettable memories along the way.
Whether you're chasing your first Major or your final star, understanding the different entry routes can dramatically improve your chances of getting onto the start line.
And if the Majors don't work out this year, don't worry. Some of the world's best marathon experiences are still waiting beyond them.
