Marathon guide
The Marathon Majors: all cities and when they take place
For many runners they are the big goal: the World Marathon Majors, a series of the largest and best known city marathons in the world. For a long time there were six, Sydney joined in 2025, and since June 2026 Cape Town is officially the eighth Major and the first in Africa. Finish the six original Majors and you earn the coveted Six Star Medal. Shanghai is currently being evaluated as the next candidate, so the collection is not getting any smaller.
The eight Majors at a glance
- Tokyo (usually early March): perfectly organised, huge crowds, start among the towers of Shinjuku.
- Boston (April, on Patriots' Day): the world's oldest annual marathon. A place usually requires a qualifying time.
- London (April): past Tower Bridge and Big Ben, finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. Famous for runners in costumes.
- Cape Town (from now on in May): officially a Major since 2026. Between the Atlantic and Table Mountain, with one of the most stunning backdrops in the series.
- Sydney (late August or September): part of the series since 2025. Over the Harbour Bridge, finishing with a view of the Opera House.
- Berlin (September): flat and fast, many world records have been set on this course. Finish through the Brandenburg Gate.
- Chicago (October): also very fast, through many neighbourhoods, with start and finish in Grant Park.
- New York (early November): through all five boroughs, over five bridges, finishing in Central Park.
How do I get a place?
Demand is huge, so most Majors run a ballot you enter in advance. There are also places via qualifying times (the standard route in Boston), charity programmes where you raise donations, and official tour operators. Registration windows often open almost a year before race day, so check the official website of each marathon early.
Which Major should I start with?
If you live in Europe, Berlin and London are close: short travel, great atmosphere, and Berlin is flat. For atmosphere, London and New York are hard to beat. Chasing a personal best? Look at Berlin and Chicago. If you want to combine running with a proper trip, Cape Town and Sydney are hard to top. And if you are planning the full world tour, simply start with the race whose ballot says yes first.
Every city on your back
VELYX has a Raceday shirt for each of the eight Majors, with the skyline and 42.195 on the back: Tokyo, Boston, London, Cape Town, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York. One for every Major you finish. Your wardrobe has eight hangers free, we assume.
