How to Enter the Abbott World Marathon Majors

The Abbott World Marathon Majors represent the pinnacle of distance running achievement, attracting hundreds of thousands of competitors annually who dream of participating in these legendary races. These six iconic marathons span the globe, each with its own entry requirements, cultural significance, and competitive landscape. For dedicated runners seeking to complete all six events and earn the coveted Six Star Medal, understanding the multiple entry pathways available is essential to developing a realistic and achievable strategy.

Understanding the Six Star Journey

The original Abbott World Marathon Majors consist of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. These races form the foundation of marathon racing’s greatest achievement: completing all six and earning the distinctive Six Star Medal, which over 8,000 runners have accomplished. Beyond the traditional six, the organization has expanded to include Sydney, with Cape Town and Shanghai currently in candidacy stages.

Each Major maintains its distinct character and challenges. Tokyo draws over 37,500 runners and features some of the most competitive lottery odds in the series. Boston limits participation to approximately 30,000 runners and prioritizes qualifying times as the primary entry method. London expects around 35,000 participants and operates primarily through ballot selection. Berlin, Chicago, and New York City each employ different combinations of lottery systems and time qualifiers, creating a diverse portfolio of entry opportunities.

The Lottery and Ballot Entry Systems

The most common pathway to major marathon entry involves participating in the lottery or ballot systems unique to each race. These drawings serve as the primary mechanism for allocating the limited spots available to international runners.

• Tokyo Marathon: Operates with over 350,000 lottery entries annually, presenting less than a 10% chance of selection for international runners. The General Entry lottery costs $230 USD for overseas participants.
• London Marathon: Features a general ballot system with successful entries costing £130 (approximately $160 USD). UK residents have additional opportunities through age-qualified entry categories.
• Berlin Marathon: Manages a competitive ballot with entry fees of €205. The lottery draw typically occurs in early December.
• Chicago Marathon: Maintains a non-guaranteed lottery system with entry costs of $240 for US residents and $250 for international runners. The lottery draw occurs in December with results announced by December 12.
• New York City Marathon: Operates a drawing system biased toward New York residents, then US residents, then international competitors. Ballot entry costs $295 with results typically announced by mid-December.
• Sydney Marathon: Primarily uses a ballot system with entry fees of $250 AUD (approximately £130 or $160 USD). Additionally, the Candidacy Club Ballot rewards runners who completed Sydney in previous years.

Qualifying Through Competitive Times

For runners capable of achieving fast marathon times, qualification through performance represents an alternative pathway that bypasses lottery systems entirely. However, these standards demand serious athletic commitment and training dedication.

Boston Marathon prioritizes time qualifiers as its primary entry method, with the majority of the approximately 30,000 runners gaining entry through demonstrated race performance. Qualifying standards vary by age and gender and change annually. For 2025, runners needed to exceed qualifying standards by more than six minutes, though 2026 standards have been updated to faster times.

Berlin Marathon accepts time qualifiers for faster runners, requiring men under 44 to run 2:45 or better and women to achieve 3:10 or faster. Entry through this method costs €205.

Chicago Marathon maintains guaranteed entry for runners achieving age and gender-specific qualifying times. The race also recognizes Legacy Finishers—runners who completed Chicago five or more times within the previous ten years.

New York City Marathon offers time qualification, though the standards are more competitive than Boston. A significant change for 2025 requires qualifiers to have run a qualifying marathon rather than a half marathon. Additionally, runners who achieve qualifying times in NYRR races receive preference in the selection process.

Tokyo Marathon maintains a small semi-elite field of just 280 runners requiring times of 2:28 for men and 2:54 for women. International runners have only 25 places reserved for men and 25 for women on a fastest-first basis.

Charity and Fundraising Opportunities

Beyond lottery and time-qualification pathways, charitable participation offers another avenue to major marathon entry. Runners can secure guaranteed spots by committing to fundraise for designated organizations.

Tokyo Marathon provides charity entry options for overseas runners through official charity partners, representing one of the best chances for international competitors to guarantee entry. Participants donate a minimum specified amount to the charity organization and commit to promoting charitable activities while participating in the event. Selection decisions rest with the charity organization.

London Marathon features a specific pathway for UK residents called Second Ballot Entry, which involves donating the entry fee to the London Marathon Foundation. Successful entries cost £130, and this method provides dedicated slots separate from the general ballot.

Other majors also incorporate charitable components within their entry frameworks, though charity options vary in availability and scope across races.

Tour Operator Partnerships and Package Deals

Marathon Tours & Travel and similar operators provide comprehensive packages that include guaranteed race entry alongside accommodation and travel arrangements. These tour operators hold allocated spots for each major marathon, offering certainty to participants willing to book complete travel packages.

For overseas runners, particularly those competing in Tokyo, tour operator entry often represents the most practical guarantee of participation. While potentially more expensive than lottery entry fees, these packages eliminate uncertainty about race access and often include logistical support that enhances the overall experience.

The Abbott World Marathon Majors Gold Club Advantage

The Abbott World Marathon Majors organization offers the Gold Club membership for $349 annually, providing members with a second entry into each of the Abbott race draws. This subscription service essentially doubles a runner’s lottery opportunities across all six majors, substantially improving statistical chances of gaining entry to multiple races.

For runners committed to the Six Star journey over multiple years, this membership investment can significantly accelerate progress toward completing all six majors. The additional entries accumulate across races, creating multiple opportunities within each lottery cycle.

Special Programs for Dedicated Runners

The Abbott World Marathon Majors organization recognizes and rewards runners who have already demonstrated commitment to the series. Runners who have completed three or more majors gain access to exclusive ballot places specifically allocated to them. These dedicated slots exist beyond the general lottery and represent meaningful recognition of accomplishment.

Sydney Marathon’s Candidacy Club Ballot exemplifies this approach, automatically securing entry for runners who have previously completed Sydney in 2022, 2023, or 2024, ensuring spots in either 2025, 2026, or 2027 without lottery participation.

Strategic Planning for the Six Star Achievement

Successfully completing all six majors requires strategic sequencing and realistic timeline planning. Rather than attempting to secure all six entries simultaneously, experienced runners develop multi-year strategies that leverage different entry pathways.

A comprehensive approach typically combines multiple entry methods:

• Entering lotteries for races where qualifying times remain unrealistic
• Training specifically to achieve qualifying standards for races permitting time qualification
• Utilizing tour operator guarantees for one or two majors to ensure progress
• Investigating charity partnerships if fundraising interests align
• Considering Gold Club membership to double lottery opportunities
• Tracking eligibility for special programs like the Candidacy Club or three-major pathways

International Entry Considerations

Overseas runners face different entry landscapes than domestic competitors. Tokyo, for instance, offers vastly different odds for international runners compared to Japanese residents, making tour operators or charity entry more pragmatic than lottery participation.

New York City’s drawing system explicitly prioritizes residents and US citizens, disadvantaging international applicants. Boston’s time-qualification focus creates a level playing field regardless of residency. London provides specific domestic categories but maintains robust international lottery access.

Understanding these geographic nuances allows international runners to prioritize races where their competitive standing or entry pathways prove most favorable.

Financial Planning for Marathon Major Participation

Entry fees represent only one cost component of completing the Six Star journey. International runners must budget for:

• Lottery entry fees ranging from $160–$250 USD equivalent per race
• Airfare and accommodation for six international destinations
• Training-related expenses leading up to qualification attempts
• Optional Gold Club membership at $349 annually
• Tour operator packages that may cost $2,000–$5,000+ per race including all services

The complete Six Star journey can require $15,000–$30,000+ in combined expenses depending on entry methods chosen and travel standards selected.

Expanding Opportunities: The Nine Star Vision

The Abbott World Marathon Majors landscape continues evolving. Sydney joined as a seventh major in 2025, while Cape Town and Shanghai remain in candidacy stages. Runners completing all nine majors would earn recognition beyond the traditional Six Star achievement.

Winners of major promotional drawings occasionally receive entry packages encompassing all current and potential future majors, creating opportunities for comprehensive global marathon achievement.

Conclusion: Your Pathway Forward

Completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star journey represents an achievable goal for dedicated runners willing to develop strategic entry plans. Success requires understanding the distinct pathways available for each race, realistic timeline expectations, and creative combination of lottery participation, time qualification, charitable involvement, and tour operator partnerships. Whether pursuing lotteries, training for qualifying times, or investing in tour packages, runners possess multiple doors to marathon majoring’s greatest prize.