How To Enter & Run The World Marathon Majors (London, Boston, New York, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo) 

I'd love to see a guaranteed entry for anyone running their 6th and final Masters race, regardless of the city. It would be a great reward for time, effort and expense needed to reach that point.

I have been applying the ballot for the last 8 years for London Marathon, no luck so far. It was way much easier for Tokyo and Berlin, got both on the first application.

Based on my recent time at the Belfast Marathon, I eould have to be about 100 to get a "good for age" London entry 🤣

As someone who started running in 2020, I decided to go for it and entered the lottery for Chicago and got in. Just ran it a couple of days ago and was an amazing experience. The support of the crowds was everywhere and that is what ultimately helped me finish it. Will try my luck in the Berlin’s draw soon and if not may try NYC via charity or tour operator for the fall of 2022.

I was inspired watching the 2019 London Marathon and entered the ballot. I'm a 10K in just over an hour sort of runner, and I was happy knowing my money would go to charity and then I'd be sent a hoody after my ballot was unsuccessful. Obviously, that didn't happen and I got one of 10% of spaces given to the ballot entries... It was then 2 years before I actually went and ran it (well, completed it...) 11 days ago with lots of advice from Ben and his channel. Lesson to be learned - there's always a chance, however small, that the Universe will make you do things you weren't expecting...

Gotta love a bloke with a tool box in the living room 👍👍

Entered into NY for the 2010 race and got in the first time - very lucky. Unbelievable crowd support - highlight (outside of finishing) was coming off the Queensboro Bridge and a wall of people screaming support. Did Berlin in 2011 and 2012 - was easy to enter and before they moved to a lottery system. Was surprised by the crowd support - amazng. Highlight was running through the Brandenburg Gate to the finish. Chicago was in 2014. Again, lucked out by getting in first time through the lottery. Beautiful sunny day for the run. The start and finish area was blocked off so not as big a crowd as the other races but still a gret race. Boston was 2018. The weather was horrendous - close to 0C, rain / snow and headwind all the way to the finish. Was soaked to the skin before I event started. Had the weather been better I may have enjoyed the race. Highlight was the medical staff at the end of race who were fantastic - and busy treating a lot of runners with various degrees of hypothermia. Waiting to get into London and then will try for Tokyo. A tie between NY and Berlin for best races.

Chicago is the best. Extremely easy to get to the start. Starts and finishes at the same place. Running through downtown is a treat.

I ran London this year after starting running in 2020, and raised £1.5k for a great charity, Sue Ryder. It was great! Didn't care about time, just wanted to run it and it was amazing! such a great atmosphere, one of the proudest moments of my life.

Great information! Being a slow and broke runner (lack of charity funds with minimal friends to donate) I'll just have to keep rolling the dice on the lotteries! 😕

Every year for last 8/9 I put my name in for the ballot for London and always look forward to my rejection email. Maybe one year

Thanks for this great content!!

Thank you for this guide, Ben!

Thanks Ben. This was very informative. Ver much appreciate your effort in compiling all of the details. 👍🏻 Keep on Getting It Done.

For Berlin, they also have a Berlin Inlineskating (rollerskating) Marathon that you can do the day before the Berlin Marathon that upon finishing, provides guaranteed entry for the following year's Berlin Marathon. The Inlineskating marathon skates through the full Berlin Marathon course too. They were doing that this year for 2023's Berlin Marathon, something they might continue for future races. Not a bad option if you have another fall race and have some experience with rollerblading.

SO INFORMATIVE BRO. TNX A BUNCH

Great video as always Ben

love your sweater, this is great information, priceless, thank you

Great video, exactly what I’ve been trying to find out, all in one place. Thank you

Great information. I’m afraid I’m destined to go with tour operators. I need to be born again to enter with that crazy qualifying times 😂

Loved this Ben, thanks for making this excellent vid. London’s a dream, hopefully next year 🤞🏽

Crazy how you easily have a spot on all of these! So fast! Great video :)

Thank you for the video, it was very useful to me 😊

Thank you! This info is so helpful. I still have Boston and Tokyo to run.

Great video Ben, very interesting!

Just wanted to extend a thank you for your half marathon plan. I just ran my first one ever (I'm 43) on Sunday (9/25/22), and trained for a 2:05:00 finish time. I finished in 2:04:38, so the plan was spot on. When I registered, I wasn't sure if I had it in me to run the entire distance without stopping, and when I registered, I entered a guess time of 3 hours. After 12 weeks of training and running the race, I feel confident that I could break 2 hours on the next attempt. Cheers.

Sincerely thank you for being essentially the field guide for the internet in getting into all six majors, been saving this video for a long time, hoping in a few years to get to the point where I can do all six in one year!

Great video! RU-vid was in dire need of an explainer on the WMMs just like this one

Excellent compilation of information. Thanks, Ben. I think it's great that everyone had a possibility to run, irrespective of their timings. It democratises the joy of running, ofcourse it should never be at the expense of the acoomplished runners.

I always love your videos. I watched this to get inspired for a 20 miler leading into the 2022 London race. I was supposed to run in 2020. Motivation was hard to recover. My first of 7 marathons was Chicago, the year before the lottery. It only took once or twice to get in, which still amazes me. I went through a tour company for London as an international runner after no lottery luck a few times. New York is the one race where I never walked a single step, even with cramps, but I felt the course so much at the end, as I could barely walk. Tremendous, tremendous atmosphere though - even better than advertised. I will be running London 3 days after my 60th birthday and 9 years after Chicago. I find it very inspiring for a big race to read a book about it and watch RU-vid channels like yours. That and finishing planning finally got my heart back into it.

Excellent video Ben!

Fantastic! Definitely, NY to me is my favorite one! But each one is unique. Looking forward to running London 2022. Looks fantastic and has a lot of good vibes and energy.

It seems like the best chance to get in is to finish your marathon in 2h45m as it can guarantee your entrance for half of the races. The other half is just hoping luck is on your side 😂 Great video anyway, just found out about the 6-star medal since today

I was one of the lucky ones who got a ballot place in this years VLM the crowd was amazing and helped get you round .Ihave applied for Berlin next year ,fingers crossed

I just ran the 2021 TCS NYC Marathon last week, and it was my first marathon ever. With that said, I had so much fun. The people came out in full force to cheer us on, and it was quite inspirational. It was a 26.2 mile block party through the 5 boroughs of New York City. I would love to run the other 5 major marathons, but I have a feeling that if I did, nothing would compare to New York.

Great video as always Ben thanks. Like some other comments now know how lucky I was to get into Berlin and NY at first attempts. Ran London for charity and all 3 are great but for me NY comes out of top. Just being part of the pure theatre of it all was magical

Great video, thanks! I was one of the 3% that made into London through the ballot this year (and it was my first marathon!). An awesome event; so great to see the crowds out and London back at its best. Followed your plan and clocked a 3:12. Wish you & Sarah all the best.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HAD NO IDEA THERES A 6 WORLD MEDAL. MY MOTIVATION IS ON 100000000000000000000

Thx Ben very usefull

Thanks for the research Ben. I feel very lucky I got in first time on the ballet for London, Berlin, NYC and Chicago. All amazing races and well worth doing

New subscriber here for sure. That was such an informative and amazing video. Thank you so much!

I've signed up for my first marathon. 2023 Sydney Marathon. I'd love to do these six, plus Comrades.

Best information

Thanks this is really helpful to understand the criteria. I’d love to enter at least one. Next year I’ll seek to improve my marathon time and see where it takes me next 🏃‍♂️

I should have had my sixth star medal last year in Boston but for the pandemic. Took me 5 years to qualify for Boston and I was ecstatic when I found out I got in. The way they treated us throughout the pandemic has well and truly taken the shine off it for me! Will need to requalify to bag that sixth star! 😪

I’ve been fortunate enough to time qualify for all 3 US majors. I hobbled to the finish in the third this past Sunday in Chicago…. Logistically, the last 3 are going to be tough to do anytime soon but I hope so! My first goal is time qualifying for Berlin!

Those prices are insane, i'd rather pay low profile marathon organizers honestly. Cheers Ben!

I ran NYC marathon in 2019 and it was amazing will be running Chicago in 2022

Great Video =)

In the ballot for london next year 🤞🏻🤞🏻 probs my dream race out of the 6 although i think NYC would be something else!

I have done Berlin 2018 Chicago 2018 and London 2019. London is by far the best for atmosphere. Boston is the obvious wish list marathon but I think I would want NYC more

Great video Ben. Ran this years VLM and although the last 8 miles was tough because my legs were shot, training curtailed due to injury, the atmosphere was off the scale.

Just qualified for Boston this year - have been trying for some time!! I am beyond excited!!! With over a 9 minute cushion I feel like my 2022 place is secured!! FINALLY 🤞🤞

Another CRACKING video Ben, without question… London is the dog’s biscuits of the marathon world..! Now then… have you any plans to do the Rest Day shirt as a long sleeved t-shirt…? If not, WHY not!! Keep it up - love all of your videos…and Sarah’s!

I would love to just run one of the world majors! 🤞🤞Fingers crossed for this years VLM ballot ☺️ Great video Ben

Good summary of the majors. Still waiting for my chance of running NYC and London as these are the last 2 races to complete my majors. It is just so hard to get in, so may opt for the tour package as I don't think I want to wait till I am over 50 to run marathons....and it is not that far away!

I ran the 2018 TCS New York Marathon for my 50th birthday and had such an amazing time. I was also selected to represent Australia at the official opening ceremony on the Friday night which was so much fun. The next marathon major race that I would love to do is either London or Berlin. Not sure when that is likely to be considering international borders.

Great content as always. I got into this years Chicago through the lottery. I ran it last Sunday. So much fun. However, the heat and humidity was brutal. Definitely, not PB conditions. I'm lucky enough I'm going to run NYC too through 9+1. I can't wait. One mistake though the charity is "only" $3000.

Going to run the Kosice Marathon of piece - this year is the 100th year anniversary of that event. Looking forward for the finishing line :)

I would love to run the London marathon and have tried a few times; was never successful with the ballot. Tokyo is second on my list - though I have never entered it before.

I just ran my 1st of the majors in Boston a couple weeks ago and going to run my 2nd in NYC next month. I will be able to knock out Chicago next year but the rest of the non-US races will probably take me a while to try to get into.

Great video. I was wondering, what woul you do if you couldn't run again?

Thanks Ben, for the marathon major information, I haven’t done any of the majors but the two that look the most exciting ones I would like to do is Boston & New York I did my first marathon here in New Zealand last year in a time of 03:23:35 I was 56 pretty sure that is a qualifying time for Boston not to sure about NY

Long way to go for a qualifying time at Boston. Current PR 3:50, but I know I can run faster. Entered the Berlin ballot last week. Fingers crossed.

I just did Berlin! It was amazing! And run a 14 min PB 🏃‍♂️. It must have been the 🧢 #gettingitdone

Thanks for the information. I'm curious to know what do you mean by tour operators?

Awesome video! Considering Africa dominates the Marathon world hopefully they'll get there own World major marathon!

Missed a way into NYC... the virtual NYC marathon. Pay $250 and complete the virtual marathon outside during race weekend, verified through Strava and you can guarantee your (non-complimentary) way into the following years race. I believe there's only 50 or so spots that are available this way and sign ups are typically in June.

First Marathon ever was Berlin. Got in through the Ballot 1st attempt. And set me on my attempt to do all 6 of the Majors. Great event. Very well organised. Expo was ENORMOUS! Subsequently did NYC with a tour operator. That's mega! Cant overstate it enough. The support is unreal. And going down 1st Avenue with a trillion spectators is awesome. As Ben said, Verrazano (1st one) and Queensboro bridges (goes from Queens into Manhattan) are bloody massive! Only slight downside is getting to Fort Wadsworth REALLY early and sitting around a long time. I got the 6am SI Ferry and my wave started at 10:15! Bit cold! Real party atmosphere along the whole course though. Recommend this for every runner! Tried 12 times now for my home event of London. No joy yet 🤣 Suspect in time I'll end up going the charity route and self funding it that way. Was in Chicago via a tour operator for 2020 and 21 but had to defer both times. The tour operator has been excellent and although I could have cancelled I've elected not to in the hope 2022 will be OK. TBF Even British Airways have been good about giving me a eVoucher to the value of the flights really easily. So kudos to both of them Even the tour operators say Tokyo is tough to get into. Most tour operators limit it to existing, regular, customers I've been told. I do keep trying the ballot every year though. Boston. Now I suspect I'll never run fast enough to BQ. And like Tokyo I've been told I "could" get a place through the tour operator if I was a repeat customer of theirs. But I'm firmly a believer that if you're not good enough, you shouldn't be there. For sure I'd love to be that fast. But I'd only ever consider a tour operator place if I was inside the BQ time, but couldn't get in due to the numbers filling up. As Ben says you probably have to run a good few mins inside the stated times to be sure.

Brilliant, Berlin or Chicago it is then 😃👍

I've ran London 8 times since 2006. Most recent was 2weeks ago. Would love to run the other 5 at some point. London though has got to be the best for atmosphere, probably a little biased as I'm a South Londoner. I have a deferred entry from the cancelled 2020 race that I'll be using for next October's 2022 race to make it number 9!!

The best atmosfere race for sure is the one in São Paulo - Brazil! What a fun race even to watch! 🇧🇷 Check for São Silvestre Race!

Lucky enough to have run 3 of the majors so far: Chicago in 2012 with a pb (amazing crowds and the beer at the finish was appreciated!), 2014 I got to do Boston, enjoyed the whole weekend (with huge security after the year before) but didn't like the waiting around at the start area. It was many hours after being bussed out there before you could start. Then later in 2014, ran Berlin which was really enjoyable, and as others have said, a highlight was running through the Brandenburg Gate. Those last two marathons were super slow as had feet issues. Tried again a couple of years later in the Vancouver marathon but with the same foot issues so have put marathons on hold and enjoyed duathlons & bike riding (& dabbled in XC skiing/biathlon) since. But struggling for running motivation right now. Also, unsuccessfully tried ballots many times for NY (2 years) & London (5 years straight). (the annoying thing about my feet issues was that there was no issues leading up to the events. Long runs were all fine so not sure why, on race day, the issues only flared!!! Grrr!!!) Once my motivation returns and my feet get sorted for the long runs then maybe I can chase those last 3 majors...

Hi Ben, thanks. great topic :). And have you heard about Kosice Peace Marathon, which is the oldest marathon in Europe. Took place even before London, Berlin, New York etc. Only Boston is the oldest in the World. in 2023, will be 100.anniversary in Kosice, Slovakia. Kosice is my city where was born. Nice course and beautiful city :) Best.

Won the ballot to run Tokyo Marathon in 2020 but due to Covid the organiser keep postponing the race due to the pandemic development and uncertainties, and as of now, my slot has moved to 2023, well, I guess more time to train for a PB!

For Tokyo 2019 I got an entry by buying an official charity spot, it cost 100,000 Yen (about £700) then around £200 for the race entry itself. Not cheap but still much cheaper than a tour group

Great video Ben. Theres another entry route you didn't mention; become a celebrity and you get garaunteed entry, most controversial in my opinion.

Brilliant video Ben.ive been looking at these lately.ive got a place in London next year.How many of these have you completed yourself?

Great video Ben. Does anyone know what date the London GFA entries are open? Nothing on the website.

I’ve done london 6 times 2 golden Bonds, 2 Ballot places, and 2 Club places.

Thoughts on Kuala Lumpur marathon? That is my wishlist so far that seems to be achievable.

Insightful video! It really puts into perspective the low success rates of the ballots. Also the entry fees are creeping up so much over the years which is a shame. London’s fee still very respectable & for the international runners. A lot of strong runners out there won’t have the budget to enter these races. I’ve only run Berlin to date, that was €90 in 2009. I’d love to run London finally + all the others, just have never been fast enough or got a place on the ballot (tried at least 10 times). I’ve already done quite a few races for charity in the past, just feel bad about asking the same people to sponsor me again 😬.

Great vlog Ben! Do you know what the men’s GFA cut off time was for London this year? I got in via the ballot and ran a 2:51. Hoping for a GFA place next year!

Hi Ben I did vitality run took me 6 hours 24mins can't be.leave I done it my frist one

Hi Ben. I (Sophia Skyers sharing this you tube account with my husband) I am the founder of a very small cancer charity and we had three Silver Bond places in the London Marathon. We do not ask our runners to raise the large amounts that you quote. We have a modest target that we say to our runners, is a target that we will not hold them to. Needless to say, we did exceptionally well on our fundraising this year offering a supportive and collegiate approach. I ran it with too others and actually we raised in excess of 8K with donations still coming in. We are going to try to secure more charity places for the future and will keep you up to speed on that 😁

I enter the ballot every bloody year and I'm still waiting to be picked! 😤

I live in the UK and did a 1:21 Half in April (UKA event) and want to get into NY. What do you mean by get in quick, is it a GFA but there are limited places based on first come first served rather than how London brings the time down?

Looking at the NYC website it looks like their qualifying times are not restricted to US citizens or NYRR races. I could be wrong, but I didn't see that documented anywhere.

I have ran Berlin (2021) London (2023) and Chicago (2022). Running NY in 3 week and Tokyo in March. Also Boston qualified so I will have all 6 in April (all going well). Of the 3 majors done so far, I would definitely say Chicago is the one I would not bother doing again and just yesterday I was offered a 'Good for age' place in Chicago for next year. I'll get hammered for saying this but I just found Chicago boring. Really looking forward to Tokyo.

Boston needs to have a Sunday marathon for the charity runners and Monday for the qualifiers by time.

Are you gonna run Liverpool rock and roll Marathon Next week ?

Won't be long before Sydney joins the marathon majors

So basically if you can run and finish all 6 marathons you can get the medal?

As a lottery runner, I've been lucky enough to make Chicago and Berlin. NYC, London and Tokyo haven't had any luck. I'm zero for 5 trying to get into those three. Hopefully the 6th time is a charm.

I am hoping to get a BQ next month at the Philadelphia Marathon

Got into tokyo through thier charity programme where you have to raise 100k yen just over £1000 i know they are not doing it next year but may be back soon. Think its 1k places up for grabs and was 1st come 1st served. Think you have to pay the money pretty much straight away though.

Thanks for this very informative video. I find it unfair when foreigners are charged a lot more than locals. But nevertheless I try to get in to the NY marathon.

still have nightmares about Boston 2018. The weather was horrendous, I've been warmer at XC events in January. It is a great course and city though. Awaiting to see if I can travel to New York on the 4th of November for major number 5, hoping not to be honest my training has been a disaster! (defer to 2022)

Is there a limited time period to complete all six races? I ran Berlin in 1996, Boston in 2017 and Chicago in 2019.

Chicago was easy to get in! NY and Boston not so much! And all these cities are all expensive to visit.