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Marathon race calendar

The eight World Marathon Majors and more than thirty other big marathons, by month. Search by name or city, or filter by region and month. Applications usually close months before the race, so the entry month matters more than it looks.

Race day the marathon is run Entries open the application window opens World Marathon Major, with its own guide

Dates, fees and rules change every year, so confirm on the official site before you plan. Races marked with an arrow link to the race’s own site, where you can confirm dates and entry. They show the usual race month only.

41 races listed

When to apply for each race

Most places are won in a ballot or by a qualifying time, long before race day. Here is the usual order, with how entry works and the cost.

RaceRace dayEntries openHow to enterCost
Tokyo MarathonMarchThe public ballot usually opens in mid to late August for the following March.Very competitive lottery, charity programmes, or limited semi-elite placesAbout 19,800 JPY for domestic runners and $230 USD for international runners.
Boston MarathonAprilA short window in mid-September for the following April.Qualifying time only (a charity place is the other route)About $260 to $270 USD, charged only if you are accepted.
London MarathonAprilThe ballot opens soon after the race weekend in late April and closes about a week later.Public ballot, charity places, or Good for Age (UK residents only)About £79.99 for UK residents and £275 for international runners.
Cape Town MarathonMayThe general ballot usually opens in mid-June for the following race.Ballot and charity places; two thirds of the field is kept for runners from AfricaAbout 850 ZAR for domestic runners and $120 USD for international entries.
Sydney MarathonAugustThe general ballot runs from late September to mid-October for the following August.Public ballot, charity places, or time-bracketed entriesAbout $280 AUD for Australian residents and $330 AUD for international entries.
Berlin MarathonSeptemberApplications open from about 1 October to mid-November for the following September.Lottery, charity or tour places, or a guaranteed fast-time standardAbout €215, charged only if you are drawn.
Chicago MarathonOctoberA three-week application window, roughly 8 to 29 October, for the following year's race.Lottery, or a guaranteed place with a time standard or its local Distance SeriesAbout $250 USD for US residents and $260 USD for international runners.
New York City MarathonNovemberThe application window usually opens in February for the November race.Lottery, charity, tour packages, or a time qualifier (or guaranteed through local NYRR races)About $255 USD for US residents and $358 USD for international runners.

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