How to Get Into the World Marathon Majors

The World Marathon Majors are the seven most prestigious marathon races on the planet: Boston, New York City, Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo, and Sydney. They attract hundreds of thousands of applicants each year, and for good reason — these races are bucket-list experiences that combine world-class competition with incredible city energy.

I've run four of the six (Boston, New York, Chicago, and Berlin) and I'm running London in April 2026. Each one has been a completely different experience. Here's what I've learned about getting in, and what to know before you apply.

The Seven Majors at a Glance

How to Actually Get In

Every Major has a different entry process, but most fall into a few categories. Understanding these will save you a lot of confusion.

1. Lottery (Most Common)

New York, Chicago, Berlin, London (called a "ballot"), and Tokyo all offer some form of random draw. You enter during the registration window, pay a small fee, and wait. Acceptance rates vary wildly:

• Chicago: Roughly 30-40% acceptance rate — the most favorable lottery odds of any Major.
• New York: Around 15-20% for non-guaranteed entries. You get better odds if you've been rejected before (the "3 strikes" rule guarantees entry after three consecutive rejections).
• Berlin: Roughly 20-25%. Opens in the fall for the following September race.
• London: The toughest domestic ballot — under 10% acceptance. International runners have slightly better odds through tour operators.
• Tokyo: Around 10% for general entry. Extremely competitive.

My advice: apply to multiple races each year. The lotteries are independent, so there's no downside to having applications in for several at once.

2. Qualifying Times

Boston is the only Major that requires a qualifying time (BQ). The standards depend on your age and gender — for example, a woman aged 18-34 needs to run 3:30:00 or faster. You can find the full list of qualifying times on the BAA's official page. And because the race is oversubscribed, most years you need to beat the standard by 5-7 minutes to actually get accepted.

The net downhill rule: Starting with the 2027 Boston Marathon, the BAA is applying time penalties to qualifying times run on courses with significant net downhill. If your qualifying race drops 1,500-2,999 feet in elevation, 5 minutes get added to your submitted time. For courses dropping 3,000-5,999 feet, it's a 10-minute penalty. Courses with 6,000+ feet of net downhill won't count at all. This means races like CIM and St. George, which have long been popular BQ courses, now carry a built-in disadvantage. Flat courses — Chicago, Houston, Grand Rapids — become even more attractive for qualifying.

New York, Chicago, and Berlin also offer guaranteed entry for runners who meet certain time standards, bypassing the lottery entirely. These times are generally faster than Boston's qualifying standards.

If qualifying for Boston is your goal, I'd recommend targeting a flat, fast fall race — Chicago, Indianapolis Monumental, or Grand Rapids. The weather is cooler, the courses are genuinely flat, and you won't lose time to a downhill penalty.

3. Charity Entries

Most Majors offer guaranteed entries through affiliated charities. You commit to raising a minimum amount (typically $2,500-$5,000+ depending on the race) in exchange for a guaranteed bib. This is one of the most reliable ways to get into New York, London, or Tokyo if the lottery doesn't go your way.

Running for a charity you care about adds a layer of meaning to the race. Several of my athletes have gone this route and said it made the experience even more memorable.

4. Tour Operators & Travel Packages

For international races like London, Berlin, and Tokyo, official tour operators sell packages that include guaranteed entry plus travel and hotel. They're not cheap, but they're a legitimate way in — especially for London, where the domestic ballot odds are brutal.

Which Major Should You Run First?

If you're choosing your first Major, here's how I'd think about it:

• Best for a first marathon: Chicago. Flat course, great crowd support, well-organized, and the most favorable lottery odds.
• Best for a PR: Berlin. The flattest, fastest course in the world. If you want to chase a time, this is where to do it.
• Best for the experience: New York. Nothing compares to running through all five boroughs with two million people cheering. It's hilly and not fast, but the energy is unmatched.
• Best for earning your spot: Boston. There's nothing like crossing a finish line you qualified for. The point-to-point course from Hopkinton to Boylston Street is iconic.
• Best international adventure: Tokyo. Incredibly well-organized, unique culture, and the crowd support is unlike anything in the US.
• Best for charity running: London. The UK marathon culture is deeply tied to charity fundraising, and the crowd energy reflects it.
• Easiest to get into: Sydney. Open registration (no lottery), a gorgeous course, and a chance to race in a world-class event without the entry stress.

A Few Things I Wish I'd Known

Book early. Hotels near the start or finish sell out months in advance, especially for New York and London. As soon as you get accepted, book accommodation.

Don't skip the expo. Every Major has a pre-race expo where you pick up your bib. It's also where you'll start soaking in the race atmosphere. Budget at least an hour or two.

Respect the course. These are big-city races with millions of spectators and elite fields. Don't go out too fast because the crowd energy pulls you forward. Stick to your plan.

Travel logistics matter. For Boston, you take a bus from Boston Common to the start in Hopkinton — that's 90 minutes of sitting around before the race. For New York, you take a ferry or bus to Staten Island and wait in a staging area. Factor this into your race-morning routine.

Apply broadly, plan specifically. Put your name in for multiple lotteries, and when one hits, build your training plan around that race's specific course and conditions. Don't try to peak for everything at once.

The Bottom Line

The World Marathon Majors are worth the effort. Whether you qualify, win the lottery, or fundraise your way in, crossing the finish line at one of these races is a career highlight. Start by picking one that excites you, enter the lottery, and build your training from there.

If you want help building a training plan for a specific Major — whether it's qualifying for Boston or preparing for your first big-city marathon — that's exactly what I do. Let's talk.