For decades, the World Marathon Majors meant six races. In 2026, for the first time, it means seven.
The Seven Races
The Abbott World Marathon Majors added the Sydney Marathon to its lineup starting with the November 2024 edition, expanding the series beyond its original six races for the first time in its history. The full 2026 calendar runs: Tokyo Marathon (1 March), Boston Marathon (20 April), London Marathon (26 April), Sydney Marathon (30 August), Berlin Marathon (27 September), Chicago Marathon (11 October) and New York City Marathon (1 November).
- Tokyo opens the season and is widely considered the hardest major to gain entry to through time qualification alone
- Boston remains the only major requiring a qualifying time for the vast majority of its roughly 24,000 places
- London 2026 saw Tigst Assefa win the women’s elite race in 2:15:41, part of a course renowned for producing fast times
Chasing the Six Star Medal
Runners who complete all six of the original majors — Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York — earn the series’ prestigious Six Star Medal, a badge more than 23,000 people had achieved as of the end of 2025. Sydney’s addition means finishers now have a seventh race to chase, though the Six Star recognition still applies to the original six.
Planning Around the Calendar
Each major has its own qualifying windows and ballots, most of which open more than a year in advance, so planning ahead is essential for anyone chasing more than one race in a season. For the races still to come this year, see our upcoming women’s sports finals guide, and for a broader look at marathon travel beyond the majors, our best city marathons to watch feature has more recommendations. However you approach it, the addition of a seventh major has only made the chase more rewarding for dedicated finishers.