For many runners, completing the World Marathon Majors is more than a race goal. It is a once-in-a-lifetime dream.
It may begin after watching the New York City Marathon on television, seeing a friend wear the Six Star Medal, or crossing your first marathon finish line and quietly thinking, “What if I could run them all?”
The journey is about more than medals. It is about standing on the starting lines of some of the world’s greatest cities, meeting runners from different countries, and collecting memories one marathon at a time.
For years, the goal was to complete the original six Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Sydney became the seventh Major in 2025, while Cape Town was confirmed as the eighth in 2026, with its first official Major race scheduled for May 23, 2027.
Shanghai is also being considered as a possible ninth Major. Once there are nine, runners who complete all nine are expected to receive a new Nine Star Medal. The original Six Star Medal will remain for runners who complete the original six races.
For most international runners, the most common way to enter is through a lottery or ballot. Boston is the exception because its traditional entry route requires an official qualifying time.
Application dates may change every year, but here are the usual schedules and official pages to watch.
1. TCS New York City Marathon
Usual lottery period: February of the race year
For the 2026 race, the general drawing application opened from February 4 to 25, with the drawing held in early March.
Applicants create an NYRR account and enter the non-guaranteed drawing. New York normally places applicants into separate pools for local, US, and international runners.
Official page: New York City Marathon Drawing
Other entry options may include charity programs, official tour operators, time qualification, and the NYRR 9+1 program.
2. Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Usual lottery period: Late October to mid-November of the previous year
The application for the 2026 race ran from October 21 to November 18, 2025, with results released in December.
Successful applicants are normally charged automatically, so make sure your credit card is valid and can process international transactions.
Official page: Chicago Marathon Applications
Chicago also offers guaranteed entry through qualifying times, charity programs, official tour operators, legacy finisher status, and selected race programs.
3. TCS London Marathon
Usual ballot period: Immediately after the marathon, usually in late April
The ballot for the 2027 London Marathon opened from April 24 to May 1, 2026.
London’s ballot attracts a huge number of applicants, making it one of the hardest lotteries to win. International runners may apply, although some age-group and Good For Age pathways are limited to UK residents.
Official page: London Marathon Ballot
Charity and official tour operator entries are common alternatives for overseas runners.
4. Tokyo Marathon
Usual general entry period: August of the previous year
General entry for the 2027 Tokyo Marathon is scheduled from August 14 to 28, 2026. ONE TOKYO GLOBAL members may receive an earlier application window.
Tokyo’s lottery is extremely popular, so many runners apply for several years before being selected.
Official page: Tokyo Marathon Entry Information
Other possible entry routes include charity places, membership drawings, qualifying categories, and official travel packages.
5. BMW Berlin Marathon
Usual lottery period: Late September to early November of the previous year
The lottery for the 2026 Berlin Marathon ran from September 25 to November 6, 2025.
Applications are completed through a personal account on the Berlin Marathon website. Depending on the year’s rules, runners may apply individually or as a team.
Official page: BMW Berlin Marathon Registration
Guaranteed places may also be available through charities, qualifying times, and official tour operators.
6. TCS Sydney Marathon
Usual ballot period: Late September to mid-October of the previous year
The ballot for the 2026 Sydney Marathon was held from September 24 to October 17, 2025.
It is not first come, first served. Every valid application submitted during the ballot window is included in the draw.
Official page: Sydney Marathon Ballot
Charity and international travel entries may also be available.
7. Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
Latest ballot period: June of the previous year
Cape Town was officially confirmed as the eighth World Marathon Major in June 2026. Its first race carrying full Major status will be held on May 23, 2027.
The first general ballot following the announcement was scheduled from June 10 to 24, 2026. Because Cape Town is new to the series, its regular annual entry schedule may still change.
Official page: Cape Town Marathon
International tour operator and charity options may also become available.
8. Boston Marathon: Qualifying Instead of a Lottery
Boston does not have a general public lottery. The traditional route is to run a qualifying time at an eligible certified marathon within the official qualifying window.
Your age group is based on your age on Boston Marathon race day, not necessarily your age when you run the qualifying race.
Boston Marathon 2027 Qualifying Standards
| Age Group | Men | Women and Non-Binary |
|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35–39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40–44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45–49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50–54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55–59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60–64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65–69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70–74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75–79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80 and older | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Official page: Boston Marathon Qualifying Information
Running the qualifying standard does not guarantee entry. When there are more qualified applicants than available places, Boston applies an additional cutoff. Runners who beat their standard by the biggest margins are accepted first.
Because the cutoff changes each year, many runners aim to finish at least five to ten minutes faster than their published qualifying time.
Boston also offers limited places through its official charity program and approved international tour operators.
Tips Before Entering a Marathon Lottery
Create your accounts early. Do not wait until the last day to register on the race website.
Use your passport name. Your registration name should match your passport and travel documents.
Check your credit card. Some races charge successful applicants automatically. Make sure your card remains valid through the result date.
Set calendar reminders. Some application windows last only one or two weeks.
Apply only when you are ready to commit. A successful lottery result may require immediate payment, and entry fees are often non-refundable.
Consider other routes. Charity entries and official tour operators may cost more, but they can offer a more reliable way to secure a place.
One Lottery at a Time
Completing the World Marathon Majors can feel overwhelming, especially now that the series has expanded beyond the original six.
But nobody completes the journey with one application or one lucky draw.
You enter one lottery. You train for one race. You cross one finish line. Then you start planning for the next.
Some applications will end in rejection. Some races may take several years before your name is selected. That waiting is part of the journey.
Keep entering, keep training, and keep the dream alive.
One day, the email will finally arrive:
You’re in.
Information updated June 24, 2026. Application dates, qualifying standards, entry rules, and race schedules may change. Always check the official marathon website before applying or booking your trip.
