World Marathons for a 6 Star Medal
Introduction
World Marathons for a 6 Star Medal
The first thing that you need to know about the 6 World Major Marathons is that they are a big deal. Here is some information on the World Marathons for a 6 Star Medal. Marathon running is one of the most popular sports in the world. It’s easy to see why, when you’re done with a marathon race, you can feel like you’ve accomplished something great.
There are 6 Major Marathons World-wide currently. If you are one of the few that complete all 6 you can claim a 6 Star Finishers Medal
Here is some information on each of the 6 Major Marathons for those that do not know where they are. 3 in the United States, 2 in Europe and 1 in Asia. There have been rumor’s to a 7th being added in Africa sometime in the future
World Marathons for a 6 Star Medal
Coaching to achieve your marathon goals
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is the oldest and most prestigious of all marathons. It was first run in 1897, when 22 runners competed. On a course that started in Ashland, Massachusetts, and ended at Boston’s Copley Square. It is held annually in May on Patriots Day.
The current course begins in Hopkinton and ends at Back Bay’s Boylston Street finish line. It covers 26 miles 385 yards (42 kilometers 192 meters). The average time for men to complete this distance is 3:03:00; women take an average 4:22:00 to finish. These times include all participants.
Qualification for Boston is different from the other majors and via the highly prized BQ (Boston Qualifier), which is a good for age time. These are graded against age and sex categories. These BQ times sit outside the invites for elite athletes to participate. Even so there are also those that can enter through taking a charity place to raise money for good causes, and finally those that pay for a place through sports travel companies
Boston Entry Costs $225 for US residents and $235 for non residents in 2022
Berlin Marathon
The Berlin Marathon, which takes place annually in September, is one of the most popular marathons in Germany. It’s also known as a “fast” course. The men’s record time is 2:01:09 (set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2022), while the women’s record time is 2:14:04 (set by Brigid Kosgei in 2022).
The first Berlin Marathon took place on September 16, 1974 with about 1,200 participants. Today it attracts more than 40 percent more runners than that. Over 30,000 people registered for this year’s event! In addition to being one of Europe’s largest races and one of its fastest courses, it has several other distinctions:
It was the first marathon ever held under international standards.
Its location makes getting around easy because all roads lead back into downtown Berlin. Where all hotels are located within walking distance or via public transportation options like buses or trains that run directly from airports into town. Where tourists can get onto buses heading towards hotels near city center areas where everything else is located too!
Entry is around 160Euro and then you need to rent a timing chip for the event
New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon is a 26.2-mile race that takes place every November in New York City. The first marathon was held in 1970. It’s since become one of the most popular and well-known races on the planet. The course starts at Staten Island’s Fort Wadsworth and winds its way through all five boroughs before ending back where it began.
The elite field includes runners such as Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, American Galen Rupp, Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba (who took home gold from Rio),–and many more!
It costs around $300 or more for non NYRR members to enter
Chicago Marathon
The Chicago Marathon has a rich history that began in 1977. It is the second oldest marathon in the United States, behind only Boston. The course travels through some of the most historic neighborhoods in Chicago such as Pilsen, Chinatown and finishes on Michigan Avenue at Buckingham Fountain. Which was built as part of Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan for Chicago.
The race itself is known for its flat course and fast times, also it is one of three races in the US (along with Boston and New York) that hosts both an elite field and mass participation event. In fact, it is considered one of the fastest marathons in America because its elevation drop is so slight with just under 100 feet over 26 miles!
The finish is also close to where you started from and is not too far from hotels and miracle mile
US Residents will have to pay $230, and non US residents $240 to enter the 2023 event
London Marathon
The London Marathon is the oldest and most prestigious of all marathons. It has been run every year since 1981, with only two exceptions (1985, and also 2020). The race starts at 9:30am on a Sunday in April and ends officially at 4:00pm. However since complaints in 2020 the finish line stays open until the last runner crosses, sometimes being in the early evening. The last runner finishing in 2023 some 19 hours after the mass start.
The course is 26 miles 385 yards (42 kilometers), and starts in Greenwich Park, going through Blackheath, Lewisham and Catford where it finishes on The Mall in central London.
Entry for the majority is via ballot entry, approx 17,000 ballot entries are available for UK and similarly International athletes with over 400,00 people entering. Making a ballot place feeling like you won one of Willy Wonka’s Golden Tickets. It is also the most affordable major at approx £70 for those that win a place for 2024
Tokyo Marathon
The Tokyo Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the world, and it’s easy to see why with 37,500 taking part in 2023. The course starts at Meiji Jingu Stadium, which was built for the 1964 Summer Olympics. It then winds through some of Japan’s most famous landmarks (like Shibuya Crossing), before ending at Tokyo Tower.
Entry is available to Tokyo Residents, Premium Members Entry (Run Tokyo), the usual elite level athletes, and similarly to London, Chicago, Berlin and New York a General Ballot Entry for athletes.
Japanese residents 23,300 JPY, International residents 25,300JPY