The World Marathon Majors is expanding beyond its original six iconic city races
In short: Since 2006, the World Marathon Majors has defined elite long-distance running. What began as a five-race circuit has evolved into a global series, now incorporating eight major marathons and championship events. With new additions and a potential nine-star medal on the horizon, the competition continues to reshape international marathon culture.
The World Marathon Majors (WMM) functions as a championship-style series for elite marathoners, originally established in 2006 with races in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, and New York. The series has since expanded significantly, adding Tokyo in 2013, Sydney in 2025, and Cape Town, which was confirmed for inclusion in 2026. Beyond these city-based events, the series integrates major global championships, specifically the biennial World Athletics Championships and the quadrennial Olympic Games, into its competitive framework.
The structure of the series has undergone several transitions. Initially, series spanned two calendar years with overlapping cycles. Since 2015, the series has moved to a defined annual format, starting and ending with specific city races. Scoring systems have also evolved; while early iterations counted the four best finishes over two years, the current model focuses on the two highest-scoring performances within a single series period. Tie-breaking protocols are rigorous, prioritizing head-to-head records and the fewest number of races run to determine winners.
Financial incentives and recognition have kept pace with the series' growth. While the first ten series awarded a total of one million dollars to the top male and female runners, the prize structure was revised starting with Series XI to distribute funds among the top three finishers. Wheelchair divisions were introduced in 2016, further broadening the competitive scope. Beyond professional prize money, the series has fostered a massive amateur following through the Six Star Finisher program, which celebrates runners who complete the original six major marathons. As the series grows to include Sydney and Cape Town, organizers have announced plans for a new Nine Star medal to accommodate future expansion, including the potential inclusion of the Shanghai Marathon, which is currently undergoing a three-year evaluation process.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: World Marathon Majors
- Also: Wikidata — World Marathon Majors · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — World Marathon Majors: moje cesta: příběh amatérské maratonské běžkyně · CC0
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