The 8 World Marathon Majors
A page for each major: how to get a place, what the course and time limit are like, where spectators can watch and whether it suits a first marathon.
Dates, fees and rules change every year, so confirm on the official site before you plan.
Boston, United States · AprilBoston MarathonNot a first marathon. Qualifying time only (a charity place is the other route).
New York, United States · NovemberNew York City MarathonGood, with hill training. Lottery, charity, tour packages, or a time qualifier (or guaranteed through local NYRR races).
London, United Kingdom · AprilLondon MarathonVery good, if you get in. Public ballot, charity places, or Good for Age (UK residents only).
Berlin, Germany · SeptemberBerlin MarathonExcellent, but mind the time gate. Lottery, charity or tour places, or a guaranteed fast-time standard.
Chicago, United States · OctoberChicago MarathonThe best first major. Lottery, or a guaranteed place with a time standard or its local Distance Series.
Tokyo, Japan · MarchTokyo MarathonTough: strict checkpoints. Very competitive lottery, charity programmes, or limited semi-elite places.
Sydney, Australia · AugustSydney MarathonTough: very hilly. Public ballot, charity places, or time-bracketed entries.
Cape Town, South Africa · MayCape Town MarathonVery good, a little hilly. Ballot and charity places; two thirds of the field is kept for runners from Africa.
Which major is best for a first marathon?
This is our ranking for a first-timer, from the course, the time limit and how hard it is to get a place. Chicago comes first, and Boston, which needs a qualifying time, comes last.
| Rank | Marathon | Month | How to enter | For a first-timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago Marathon | October | Lottery, or a guaranteed place with a time standard or its local Distance Series | The best first major |
| 2 | Berlin Marathon | September | Lottery, charity or tour places, or a guaranteed fast-time standard | Excellent, but mind the time gate |
| 3 | London Marathon | April | Public ballot, charity places, or Good for Age (UK residents only) | Very good, if you get in |
| 4 | Cape Town Marathon | May | Ballot and charity places; two thirds of the field is kept for runners from Africa | Very good, a little hilly |
| 5 | New York City Marathon | November | Lottery, charity, tour packages, or a time qualifier (or guaranteed through local NYRR races) | Good, with hill training |
| 6 | Tokyo Marathon | March | Very competitive lottery, charity programmes, or limited semi-elite places | Tough: strict checkpoints |
| 7 | Sydney Marathon | August | Public ballot, charity places, or time-bracketed entries | Tough: very hilly |
| 8 | Boston Marathon | April | Qualifying time only (a charity place is the other route) | Not a first marathon |
Planning to watch?
Use the spectator timing planner to work out when your runner passes each spot, and the pace chart to plan the race itself.