The Abbott World Marathon Majors: Ranked

Embarking on the journey to conquer the six Abbott World Marathon Majors is no small feat – I personally only have completed Chicago and on my way to do Berlin this year! From securing a spot to enduring diverse courses, there’s a lot to take away from them all.

That’s why we’ve got them ranked, from easiest to hardest, so that you can prepare much more if you choose to do these! Let’s face it, how cool would it be to brag to everyone you’ve completed all 6? Alright, let’s dive in.

Easiest: Berlin Marathon

2024 is going to be this marathon’s 50th anniversary! For that, here’s what you need to consider. It’s a flat and fast course with 12 world records. There are very mild elevation changes, so you won’t be feeling that pain in your calves anytime soon. And, best part, there has been a consistency in favourable weather in late September. What you have seen from before is what you’ll probably get.

Chicago Marathon

They say that Berlin and Chicago are quite similar and difficult to call out which one’s easiest, so consider Chicago as a marathon just a tiny tiny bit harder (if you even call it harder). It’s the ultimate PR course with a flat profile and known for its enthusiastic crowds. Trust me, you’ve got an audience for the entire run. The only downside, if you could call it that, is that Chicago has varied weather conditions. One moment you’re sweating, next you’re shivering. Hey, it’s Windy City after all.

Tokyo Marathon

The land of the rising sun, Japan! This one is notoriously difficult to secure entry, but it’s a flat course with minimal elevation changes. It’s a unique route since it’s within the city of Tokyo, and if you know anything about the place, well, a 36 million population does show.

London Marathon

Good ol’ London town! This course is essentially flat and is a Point A to Point B sort of course. You start outside of the city and end up at the finish line near Buckingham Palace. Pretty cool, right? Similar to Chicago, you’ve got large crowds with absolute vibrance during the entire run. The weather varies, but there’s a high completion rate. So, yeah, you’ll probably make it to the finish line.

Boston Marathon

Oh boy, the oldest marathon in America, and the hardest to get into, in my opinion. This one has the fastest average finish time but it’s incredibly challenging, considering all the hills that you have to push through – it’s a net downhill course but with psychological hurdles. Finally, unpredictable weather, so there’s that!

Hardest: New York City Marathon

The big kahuna- sorry, I meant apple. This is the largest marathon with an iconic status! You run through all of NYC’s boroughs, passing through most of the bridges to get to the end in Central Park. Rolling hills, challenging bridges; I mean, there are tough elevation changes, but NYC does have the highest completion rate. C’mon, it’s the centre of the world after all!

Every Major has its unique charm and obstacles, making the Abbott World Marathon Majors a truly diverse and rewarding pursuit for dedicated runners. The path to Six Star glory is paved with challenges, there’s no doubt about that, but each finish line brings a sense of accomplishment like no other.

So, lace up, conquer the Majors, and join the elite ranks of Six Star finishers!