The World Marathon Majors
The biggest marathons in the sport, and most of them are harder to get into than to finish. Here is when each one runs, how it lets runners in, and what its course asks of you.
Sun, Mar 7
2027
Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo
Flat
57°F
Avg temp
~36,175
Field
—
BQ %
Mon, Apr 19
2027
Boston Marathon
Boston, MA
Hilly
56°F
Avg temp
~29,025
Field
54%
BQ %
Sun, Apr 25
2027
TCS London Marathon
London
Flat
60°F
Avg temp
~56,000
Field
25%
BQ %
Sun, May 23
2027
Cape Town Marathon
Cape Town
Rolling
69°F
Avg temp
~27,000
Field
—
BQ %
Aug 2027
estimated
Sydney Marathon
Sydney
Rolling
64°F
Avg temp
~32,959
Field
—
BQ %
Sep 2027
estimated
BMW Berlin Marathon
Berlin
Flat
63°F
Avg temp
~48,359
Field
—
BQ %
Oct 2027
estimated
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago, IL
Flat
65°F
Avg temp
~52,062
Field
16%
BQ %
Nov 2027
estimated
New York City Marathon
New York, NY
Rolling
58°F
Avg temp
~59,226
Field
10%
BQ %
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The Best Boston Qualifier Marathons
Ranked by the share of finishers who qualify.
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The Best Net-Downhill Marathons
Free speed, if your quads can take it.
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The Best Fall Marathons
The deepest PR season on the calendar.
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The Best Spring Marathons
Where a winter of base miles pays off.
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Marathons You Can Just Sign Up For
No lottery, no qualifier, just sign up.
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The Best West Coast Marathons
Pacific Northwest down to California.
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The Best Northeast Marathons
New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
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