My World Marathon Majors Journey
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If you have run a marathon, you might have heard about the Abbott World Marathon Majors. It started as a series of 6 marathons (Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo) and lately has expanded to 8, adding Sydney and Cape Town.
What is different about these marathons? Well, technically nothing since you still need to run more than 26 miles, or 42 kilometers, but the organization, field size, pro field, spectators and the energy around them make them feel different. Starting with the selection process: for most of them, it is not just a sign-up. Generally speaking, you need to qualify by time, win a spot via lottery, or fundraise for a charity.
Here is the summary of my marathon majors journey so far. For the ones I’ve run more than once, I focus on the general aspects of the race rather than a specific year. A detailed recap of each is underway.
New York City Marathon
Quick Facts
First Run / Times Run: 2021 / 4 times (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Entry method: 9+1 program
Course type: Point-to-point (Staten Island to Central Park), rolling hills
Overall rating: Best overall major for atmosphere and spectator energy
Highlights
This is the best marathon major overall. It checks all the boxes for a great atmosphere, a huge number of spectators that don’t leave you alone for most of the race, and the largest field size (every year they compete against London on this).
The Experience
Pre-race. Logistics are the primary drawback of this race. For starters, bag check happens before race day: you must drop your bag in Central Park by Saturday at the latest, which is a completely different location from the Expo at the Javits Center. Because of this, you might find yourself touring NYC and racking up thousands of steps before you even reach the start line.
Race morning presents the next big hurdle: getting to the start village in Staten Island. Whether you take the official bus early and spend hours waiting in the village, or use a combination of subway, ferry, and local bus, it requires a solid plan. Rideshares or taxis are also options, depending on your starting location and wave time.
During the Race. The starting line is split into three colors (two starting on the upper level of the Verrazzano bridge and one in the lower level) allowing space for everyone to settle into their race. The course is full of rolling hills and you are always going up or down, not a single flat mile here. You get to run through the five boroughs of the city, although the distance is not equally distributed. Staten Island is just where you start and a few meters on the Verrazzano Bridge, Queens and The Bronx are also a short distance, while Manhattan, where you go twice during the race, and Brooklyn are where you will spend most of the time.
Post-race. Along with your medal, you receive a bag of amenities: water, Gatorade, an apple, and pretzels. Be prepared to walk a lot after the race as the exit from the runners-only area is long, unless you are a VIP and have access to a shortcut.
My Takeaway
Judging strictly from the start to the finish line, NYC is the gold standard for crowd energy, but you definitely need to plan your pre- and post-race logistics carefully. If you plan to run only one of the eight majors, I strongly suggest you pick NYC. And to ease a little bit of the logistics pain, plan your stay close to the finish line.
Chicago Marathon
Quick Facts
First Run / Times Run: 2022 / 3 times (2022, 2023, 2024)
Entry method: Lottery and 2x Charity (American Cancer Society and Team for Kids)
Course type: Loop (Start and finish at Grant Park), flat
Overall rating: Best overall major for pre- and post-race logistics
Highlights
This race has the easiest logistics of all the majors I’ve run so far. With hotels just two blocks from the security checkpoints, you won't have to worry about being late and can easily avoid the worst of the porta-potty lines. The course is flat and fast, giving you a very high chance of getting a PR.
The Experience
Pre-race. The Expo is well-organized and lines move fast. It is easy to reach by train or bus, and some nearby hotels even offer shuttle service. On race morning, you can check a bag and use the porta-potties inside Grant Park. While I’ve never used them, the porta-potty lines can get insanely long; you can easily spend all your prep time waiting and feel like you aren’t moving. Also, the corrals can feel tight for the number of runners assigned to them. I’ve had to wait outside of my corral until the crowd started moving; don’t worry if this happens, they won’t close it on you and you will get in.
During the Race. There are a lot of runners around you, so you need to be careful if people are weaving or passing, but overall there is plenty of space for everyone. There is an underpass right after the start that can be very dark. If you plan to wear sunglasses for the race, make sure to take them off first so you can see any potholes or bumps in the road. After that, it is smooth sailing. The course is flat with support most of the time, though it can feel a bit quiet around the United Center where crowds thin out. Another mentally tough spot is around mile 22: you have to turn right while seeing other runners heading left toward the finish line, and you still have to cover about a mile and a half just to loop around and reach that same point.
Post-race. You did it, and you get a free beer: enjoy! There is also a post-race party in Grant Park open to the public where you can purchase extra food and beverages and meet up with your crew. If you stay near the finish line, you just have a short walk back to your room to rest.
My Takeaway
I’ve run Chicago 3 times because its logistics are the best and it is a well-balanced marathon. The course is flat and fast for a potential PR, the Expo is straightforward and accessible by public transportation, the post-race perks and party are fantastic, and the crowds are amazing, even if a bit lacking in a few isolated spots.