World Marathon Majors explained: the current series and the Six Star milestone
The phrase “six major marathons” still appears frequently, but it no longer describes the full current Abbott World Marathon Majors series. As checked October 17, 2026, the official series includes eight member races. Sydney held its first Major in 2025, and Cape Town’s first race as a Major is scheduled for May 23, 2027. The traditional Six Star milestone remains a distinct program rather than a count of all current members.
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Your preparation checklist
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Plan your next steps
- Use the official member list to identify the current series rather than relying on an old six-race graphic.
- Choose whether your interest is an individual race, the traditional Six Star milestone or another personal collection of races.
- Research each event’s entry process independently; there is no universal entry form for all member races.
- Build a flexible multi-year calendar around actual acceptance and personal circumstances.
- Keep official result records and use the series’ current recognition process when checking a milestone.
The current member list
The eight member races are Tokyo, Boston, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. The three U.S. member races are Boston, Chicago and New York City. Other well-known American marathons can still be excellent events, but being large, famous or a qualifying race does not by itself make one a member of this series. Use the official list when choosing terminology.
Why people still say Six Star
The original Six Star milestone covers Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. The series states that this program remains unchanged. A runner can therefore pursue that traditional milestone while the wider family contains additional member races. Describe the milestone and the membership count separately so a planning page does not unintentionally tell readers that newer races are excluded from the current series.
Do not turn candidate status into a confirmed race
The official Cape Town announcement distinguishes confirmed members from any remaining candidate and makes future recognition conditional on assessment. This guide does not add a prospective ninth race to the confirmed list. When planning far ahead, record what the series has actually announced and the date you checked it. A possible future development should not become the basis of a nonrefundable booking or a factual headline.
Each entry stands on its own
Read the current organizer requirements for every race you hope to enter. A finish at one member event does not automatically provide entry to another, and eligibility for a particular route is not the same as final acceptance. Keep a separate status record for each application. If a charity or approved travel route is involved, review that event’s own partner list, written obligations and confirmation process.
Build a journey that fits real life
Choose the order using your budget, travel needs, personal preparation and accepted entries rather than trying to imitate someone else’s timeline. Leave flexibility for an unsuccessful application or an event you cannot attend. Compare total trip costs, not just entry fees, and avoid buying multiple inflexible trips before decisions arrive. An organized multi-year plan should make the project manageable rather than create pressure to race when circumstances do not suit.
Keep results and identity records consistent
Save official result links and the participant details used for each race in a private folder. If names or account details differ, use the relevant official support and recognition process to resolve them. Do not post identity documents publicly to prove a finish. Recognition rules can evolve; check the current series instructions rather than treating an old screenshot or a medal photograph as the complete procedure.
Use labels that tell readers exactly what they are seeing
A calendar should distinguish a member race from a non-member event, an announced date from an estimate, and a personal goal from an accepted entry. This is especially useful when mixing U.S. destination marathons with the global series. START LINE covers practical race trips independently and does not represent the series, issue its awards or sell entries to its members.
Before you finish planning
- I distinguish the current eight-member series from Six Star.
- My U.S. Majors list contains Boston, Chicago and New York.
- Every planned race has its own entry-status record.
- I have not treated a candidate or future possibility as confirmed.
Common questions
Are there still only six World Marathon Majors?
No. The current official member list contains eight races. The traditional Six Star milestone remains a separate program covering the original six.
Are there four U.S. Majors?
No. The three U.S. member races are Boston, Chicago and New York City. Other prominent U.S. marathons are not automatically members.
Do all member races share one entry process?
No. Check each organizer’s current rules, dates and legitimate entry pathways. Series membership does not mean one application secures all events.