October 13, 2026, 11:53 am | Read time: 11 minutes

Why the Majors Are So Coveted

The World Marathon Majors were founded in 2006 and bring together the most important city marathons in the world. Originally, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo were included. Since 2025, Sydney is officially part of the series, and Cape Town is set to follow in 2027.

The races are known for crowded streets, top-notch organization, and international elite athletes (they offer the largest prize money). For many amateur runners, the so-called Six-Star Medal is the ultimate dream. This award is given to those who complete all six Majors. With Sydney and the planned new races, it will become an even larger collection. But this desirability makes getting to the starting line increasingly difficult. FITBOOK took a closer look at the situation.

New York and London: Almost Like Winning the Lottery

At the top of many marathon fans’ wish lists is the New York City Marathon. Why? More than a million spectators line the streets, it goes through all five boroughs and over five bridges. The course is extremely challenging with about 275 meters of elevation. Nearly 60,000 people reach the finish line there every year.

However, those who want to snag a spot through the regular lottery need a lot of luck. Estimates suggest the success rate is below three percent. Alternatives include fast qualifying times, charity programs, or travel agencies. However, this can quickly cost several thousand euros.

New York City Marathon – Key Information

• Held: Early November
• How to apply: Lottery
• When to apply: Early 2027, results in early March
• Other ways to enter: Charity, official travel agencies, very good qualifying time (this pool is also limited)
• Ticket price (for international runners): around 340 euros
• Time limit: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Profile: very hilly (the course is a constant up and down)

Also interesting: Why men should start marathons slower than women

The situation in London is even more extreme. A bib for the London Marathon is almost considered a collector’s item among runners. In recent years, the chance of getting a spot was sometimes below two percent, according to the online portal “Rundida.” Although the field will be expanded to 100,000 participants starting in 2027, experts still expect enormous demand.

London Marathon – Key Information

• Held: Late April (2027 for the first time on two consecutive days)
• How to apply: Lottery
• When to apply: directly in the week after the marathon, lottery opens for only a few days, results in early July
• Where tickets are available: Charity, travel agencies, good qualifying times (women, for example, under 3:10:00)
• Ticket price: around 320 euros
• Time limit: 8 hours
• Profile: extremely flat

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Spot

How can I increase my chances of getting a spot?

If you really want to run one of the big marathons, you shouldn’t rely solely on the lottery. Experienced marathon runners often pursue multiple strategies simultaneously. One tip: Apply for several races at the same time. The catch: Applications are often fee-based or become immediately binding upon success. Another option is sweepstakes from sponsors and partners. Sports equipment manufacturers, travel agencies, and running portals regularly raffle off spots for major marathons (often together with running influencers). Those who are flexible should also keep an eye on official waiting lists and resale platforms. Lastly, it’s worth looking into charity programs. Participants commit to raising funds for a good cause and receive a guaranteed spot in return. Although this route is usually more expensive than a regular ticket, for heavily oversubscribed races like New York or London, it is one of the most realistic options.

Also interesting: I never wanted to run a marathon! Then I won a spot

Chicago and Berlin Offer the Best Chances Among the Majors

The situation in Chicago looks much more favorable. The marathon is considered one of the fastest in the world and offers perhaps the best lottery chances among the Majors. Statistically, the success rate is around 35 percent.

Berlin also remains relatively accessible. Despite international popularity, applicants here still have realistic chances of getting a spot. The team lottery is attractive: If up to three people apply together and one name is drawn, the entire group gets a spot. Then there’s the course. Few other marathons are as flat and fast. It’s no coincidence that several world records have been set in Berlin.

Berlin Marathon – Key Information

• Held: Late September
• How to apply: Lottery, team lottery
• When to apply: Early October to early November, results in late November
• Other ways to get a ticket: Charity, travel agencies, fast qualifying time
• Cost of entry: 205 euros
• Time limit: 6 hours 15 minutes
• Profile: extremely flat (considered the fastest marathon course in the world)

Also interesting: Crazy time! How fast Harry Styles ran the Berlin Marathon

Chicago Marathon – Key Information

• When: Early October
• How to apply: Lottery, guaranteed spot through qualifying time
• When to apply: Mid to late October, results in early December
• Other ways to get a ticket: Charity, travel agencies
• Ticket price: 230 euros
• Time limit: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Profile: very flat (with many 90-degree turns)

Tokyo and Sydney Are Becoming More Popular

The Tokyo Marathon has also become one of the races where patience is required. The chances of getting a spot through the lottery are estimated at about eight to ten percent.

• When: Early March
• How to apply: Lottery
• When to apply: Mid to late August, results in late September
• Other ways to get a ticket: Charity, travel agencies, very fast qualifying time
• Cost of entry: 210 euros
• Time limit: 7 hours
• Profile: extremely flat (with four 180-degree turns)

Sydney has experienced a real boom since its rise to Major status in 2024. Within a year, demand increased from around 40,000 to more than 123,000 applications. However, the organizers do not disclose how many spots are actually awarded through the public lottery.

Sydney Marathon – Key Information

• When: Late August
• How to apply: Lottery
• When to apply: Late September to mid-October, results in October
• Other ways to get a ticket: Charity, travel agencies
• Ticket price: around 210 euros
• Time limit: 7 hours
• Profile: consistently gently hilly (more elevation gain than the New York City Marathon)

Strong Alternatives Outside the Major Series

If you’re looking for a big and fast marathon, you don’t have to focus solely on the Majors. Valencia, in particular, has earned an excellent reputation in recent years. The course is considered extremely flat, the organization is excellent, and the chances of getting a spot are above average. In 2026, 20,000 of the total 35,000 spots were allocated through the lottery.

Valencia Marathon – Key Information

• Held: Early December
• How to apply: Lottery, entry for previous year’s finishers (within a short time window)
• When to apply: Mid to late December of the previous year, results in January
• Other ways to get a ticket: Waiting list (only if unlucky in the lottery), charity, travel agencies
• Ticket price: between 80 and 200 euros (tiered prices based on quota)
• Time limit: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Profile: extremely flat

Also interesting: The best age to run your fastest marathon

The Paris Marathon is not part of the World Marathon Majors but is one of the most popular city marathons in Europe. If you miss out in the first draw, you still have chances through subsequent procedures and waiting lists. Additionally, the organizer regularly opens an official resale platform where released bibs can be legally transferred.

Paris Marathon – Key Information

• When: Early April
• How to apply: 2027 for the first time by lottery, team lottery (if a single member of your team is drawn, all other team members automatically receive a guaranteed spot)
• When to apply: Mid to late September, results in early October
• Other ways to get a ticket: Charity, companies
• Ticket price: 169 euros
• Time limit: 6 hours
• Profile: flat

The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. also offers attractive alternatives with significantly less registration stress than the Majors.

Marine Corps Marathon (Washington D.C.) – Key Information

• Held: Late October
• Registration: no lottery! First come, first served
• Registration window: In previous years, the system opened on the first Monday in April at 10 a.m. EST (4 p.m. German time)
• Other ways to get a ticket: official ticket transfer via the official website (spots can be legally transferred to others), participation in the Marine Corps 17.75K, travel agencies, or charity
• Ticket price: around 220 euros
• Time limit: 6 hours 7 minutes
• Profile: rolling

Boston Remains the Biggest Athletic Challenge

The Boston Marathon holds a special position. Unlike almost all other major races, there is no classic lottery. Those who want to start must first run a challenging qualifying time and – to realistically secure a spot – even beat it by several minutes. For many recreational runners, Boston is not only the most traditional Major but also the most difficult. Not because of the course or the distance, but because the path to a bib often requires years of hard training.

Boston Marathon – Key Information

• When: Every year in April on Patriots’ Day
• How to apply: Minimum time (so-called “Boston Qualifier”) plus significant undercutting
• When to apply: Late September to mid-October, results in late November
• How casual runners can get a ticket: Charity, travel agencies, sponsor sweepstakes
• Ticket price: 205 euros
• Time limit: 6 hours
• Profile: hilly

Running a Marathon Where It All Began

Those who dream of New York, London, or Tokyo often seek the biggest stage in the running world. Athens, on the other hand, appeals to different runners. Here, it’s less about prestige and medal series and more about the history of the sport. This is where the marathon distance is said to have originated! The course follows the historic route from the town of Marathon to the center of the Greek capital.

Athens Marathon – Key Information

• When: November
• How to apply: Direct online registration, no lottery
• When to apply: May, results one week later
• Other ways to get a ticket: Travel agencies, sponsor sweepstakes
• Ticket price: around 75 euros
• Time limit: 8 hours
• Profile: tough! (course almost entirely uphill for the first half of the race)

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Where Wine, Oysters, and Entrecôte Are Served

In the French vineyards of Médoc, a unique marathon takes place every year. At the refreshment stations, not only water and bananas are offered, but also fine wines, oysters, and regional specialties. For many runners, the race is one of the most extraordinary marathon experiences worldwide. You can find an experience report here.

Médoc Marathon – Key Information

• When: Early September
• How to apply: regular online registration, no lottery
• When to apply: Spring (most recently in April)
• Other ways to get a ticket: Travel agencies, sometimes sponsor sweepstakes
• Time limit: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Profile: Mostly flat through the vineyards of Médoc

Conclusion

Those who dream of the next big adventure after their first marathon should not only focus on New York or London. (Among the Majors, only Berlin and Chicago offer realistic options for a spot.) However, for an unforgettable marathon experience, a Major medal is not necessary. Some of the most beautiful, fastest, and most accessible races are often closer than many runners think.