Europa (2)
Nord America (3)
Asia (1)
Edizioni precedenti
Entry is the hard part, not the running. Every major except Boston allocates most public places by ballot, and the odds are long enough that plenty of runners apply for years without getting in. Boston gates entry on a qualifying time instead, and running the standard is not the same as getting a place: fields fill from the fastest down, so the effective cut-off is usually faster than the published one. The other routes in are a charity place with a fundraising minimum that runs into the thousands, or a tour operator package.
The courses are built for speed, which is why Berlin keeps producing world records. Boston is the exception. It is net downhill overall, and that flatters the first half, but the Newton hills between 25 and 33 kilometres take back more than most first-timers expect.
Apply twelve to eighteen months ahead of the race you actually want. Ballots for a given autumn typically open the previous winter.
Domande frequenti
How do you get into an Abbott World Marathon Major?
Six of the seven allocate most public places by ballot, which you enter months ahead and usually do not win. Boston is the exception: it gates entry on a qualifying time, and because places fill from the fastest qualifier down, the time that actually gets you in is normally quicker than the published standard. The other routes are a charity place, which carries a fundraising minimum in the thousands, or a tour operator package.
Which races are the World Marathon Majors?
Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York. Sydney is the newest, taking the set from six to seven. Cape Town and Shanghai are candidates and could join later.
Which major is the easiest course?
Berlin is the fastest, which is why world records keep being set there. Boston is net downhill overall but is the one most likely to go wrong: the Newton hills between 25 and 33 kilometres arrive exactly when the early downhill has already cost your quads.
How far ahead should I plan?
Twelve to eighteen months for the race you actually want. Ballots for an autumn race typically open the previous winter, and travel and accommodation for the bigger majors get expensive well before race week.