The Abbott World Marathon Majors are the world’s most celebrated city marathons – a bucket‑list series that draws runners from across the globe, from first-timers to seasoned marathoners.
Eight races. Eight cities. One incredible series.
Tokyo, Boston, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York City each offer something unique – iconic routes, unforgettable crowds, and the chance to be part of marathon history.
There’s no single “right” way to take on the World Marathon Majors: some runners complete one as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime goal, while others follow the journey towards achievements like the Six Star Medal. Each race has its own entry routes too – from ballots and qualifying to charity places.
See the Six Stars FAQsJoin the series with #TeamSpinal
What you can expect from us:
When you take part with us, you’re never on your own. All participants on our events receive a full support package, including:
- 1-to-1 personalised fundraising support
- Access to our exclusive training Hub (provided by GH Training)
- Team e-newsletters full of tips and updates
- A Spinal Research technical top
- And plenty of encouragement, advice, and cheer from our team!
Browse our charity events by type, distance or location to find your perfect challenge, and join a community of people making a real impact. Together, we can push boundaries – on the course and for SCI research.
"The races are inspiring, challenging and all for a great cause. As a neurological physio myself, I know the impact Spinal Research has on improving the future for people with spinal cord injuries. I've been supporting them for 5 years and will for many more" – James, attempting the 6 World Marathon Majors
FAQs
What is the World Marathon Majors Series?
The Abbott World Marathon Majors are a series of the world’s most iconic city marathons. The series currently includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York.
Why are there eight races but only six stars?
The Six Star Medal is awarded to runners who complete the original six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. It marks an incredible marathon achievement and places runners in a global community of Six Star finishers.
Sydney became the seventh Major in November 2024 & Cape Town became the eighth in June 2026, but the Six Star medal remains in place for the original six. Abbott World Marathon Majors is evaluating one more candidate: Shanghai. Should this race pass their evaluations, the Nine Star medal will be introduced in addition to the Six Star medal.
Can I complete all the races with Spinal Research?
Almost! We offer places on six of the eight Marathon Majors – Tokyo, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin and Chicago.
To race in Boston and/or New York, we can help you on your way.
Our partners Sports Tours International help connect runners with the New York Marathon.
We offer several marathons that serve as Boston Marathon qualifiers – see below for full information.
What does qualifying for the Boston Marathon mean?
The Boston Marathon is a very difficult event for international charities to gain access to, including us in the UK. Unlike races such as London or Sydney which offer an extensive charity programme and assign a significant number of charity places each year, Boston operates a qualification system for runners. This involves reaching a certain finishing time on a race that meets certain criteria before applying for a place directly with the organisers.
Please find all relevant information on how to qualify for the Boston Marathon here and a list of races that meet the criteria here. Before undertaking any events with the sole objective of qualifying for Boston, we recommend reaching out to the organisers, as the list isn’t an official one supplied by the Boston Athletic Association.
We offer several events that serve as Boston Marathon Qualifiers. You can find a list below, with links to the information for each event, or you can browse our entire events portfolio here.
Do I have to complete all the races?
No – you can take part in just one, a few, or work towards completing the full series over time. Some runners aim for a single bucket‑list marathon, while others choose to build their journey gradually across multiple races.
Will I get a fundraising top to wear on the day?
Absolutely, we love to send our team a technical top to wear during the run.
These are usually sent out after your first fundraising checkpoint.
Can I take part in a wheelchair?
Yes! Please enter the relevant information when prompted during registration.
I have my own place on a WMM event and would like to fundraise for Spinal Research. Can I do this and will I have a fundraising target?
Congratulations on securing your own place – we would love to have you join #TeamSpinal! Please select ‘I Have My Own Place’ above.
Please only fill out this form if you have your own place on one of the Majors races.
As an own place runner, you won’t have a fundraising target. We just ask that you raise as much as possible so you can to help us fund essential research.
Have a question?
If you have any questions or need support, please contact us through the button below.
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