The Abbott World Marathon Majors are gaining popularity and because of that, entry into these races can be challenging. As you might know, the World Marathon Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon. With 2017 around the corner, new race schedules and training plans are being made. If you’re interested in running one of these events, here’s the breakdown on how to enter each one. I have run 5 out of the 6 World Marathon Majors, and in 2017 I will put my name in for the Boston Marathon and finally become a Six Star Finisher. I encourage you to run at least one of these in your lifetime.
***If you want an email reminder of when the lottery (ballot) is open for each of the races listed below, subscribe to my blog and I will send you an email so you know when to apply. Scroll to the bottom to enter your information.
The Tokyo Marathon
Race day: Sunday, February 26th 2017
Enter the race through:
- Lottery
- Charity programs
- Elite/semi elite- "Run as One"
- Wheelchair participant
- Tour operator
Entry fee: Marathon- Japan residents - 10,800 Yen (from overseas- 12,800 Yen, which is about $117 US dollars).
Lottery:
- Application period: for the 2017 race, application period was from August 1-31st 2016.
- Lottery notification day: September 16th 2016, for the 2017 race.
- In summary: apply in AUGUST. Get notified in SEPTEMBER. Run in FEBRUARY.
Charity: Click here for more information on charity entries. Limit 3,000 charity runners.
Elite and semi elite entries: “Run as One” (as taken from the Tokyo Marathon website)
This program is designed to provide excellent runners, who reside outside of Japan and meet the criteria set by the TOKYO MARATHON Foundation, the right to participate in the TOKYO MARATHON 2017.
The Run as One – Tokyo Marathon program was introduced at Tokyo Marathon 2015 as way to contribute to the surge in marathon interest nationwide by linking up with other marathon races held throughout Japan.
Qualifying times: (for list of races that are qualifiers, click here)
Men’s Full Marathon 2:21:01 〜 2:55:00
Women’s Full Marathon 2:52:01 〜 3:40:00
Number of participants: 200 (tentative) * Male to Female ratio of the participants will be determined later.
Tour operators: Marathon Tours & Travel. Click here for more information. There also is another group called Sports Travel International. Click here for their website. Here is another option: Amazing Running Tours.
HOW I WAS ABLE TO RUN THE TOKYO MARATHON: first time entering the lottery, I got in! I was thrilled. This was my 5th World Marathon Major
The B.a.a Boston Marathon
Race day: Monday April 17th, 2017
Enter the race through:
- Qualification
- Charity
- Athletes with disabilities
Entry fee: The registration fee for the 2017 Boston Marathon for qualifiers is $185 (USD) for United States residents and $250 (USD) for international residents. This fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and may not be deferred to another year.
Qualification process: For details, click here. To qualify for the Boston Marathon, athletes must meet time standards which correspond to age and gender. The qualifying standards for the Boston Marathon remain unchanged from recent years. Individuals who meet the qualification standards applied in September, for an April race. Here are the qualifications for age and gender (right):
Taken from the B.A.A Boston Marathon website: ACHIEVING ONE'S QUALIFYING STANDARD DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENTRY, BUT SIMPLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT FOR REGISTRATION.
- If total amount of submissions surpass the allotted field size for qualified athletes, then those who are the fastest among the pool of applicants in their age and gender group will be accepted.
- For the 2018 Boston Marathon, qualifying times (above) must be run on or after Saturday, September 17, 2016.
- The acceptance of official race entrants will be based on qualifying time, with the fastest qualifiers (in relation to their age and gender) being accepted first until the race is full.
- Only a certified full marathon distance will be accepted for qualifying. No indoor marathons accepted.
- The qualifying times above are based upon each athlete's age on the date of the 2018 Boston Marathon (April 16, 2018).
- Though the B.A.A. will email registrants upon the completion of their form, runners are not officially entered into the race until their qualifying time is verified. This length of time may vary and can be as long as several days, depending on the qualifying marathon.
Charity: (taken from the B.A.A website) If you are unable to obtain a qualifying time for your gender and age group, you may be interested in exploring the 2017 Boston Marathon Official Charity Program. All charities that are selected to participate in the 2017 Boston Marathon Official Charity Program are currently featured on our website. In order to apply to run for one of the official charities, you must contact your charity of interest directly. Charity partner FAQs click here.
All charities offer unique training and fundraising programs, however, all will require a minimum fundraising donation. Each individual who runs the 2017 Boston Marathon for one of the official charities is required to raise a minimum of $5,000. Please contact the official charity you wish to advocate for directly for more information. Click here for official charity partners. A sample of official charity partners are listed below.
Athletes with disabilities: Click here for more information. Hand cycle program, duo teams, mobility impaired program, blind/visually impaired program, push rim wheelchair division.
HOW I WILL RUN THE BOSTON MARATHON: I qualified for the Boston Marathon. This will be my final Abbott World Marathon Major to run.
THE VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON
RACE DAY: SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017.
Enter the race through:
- Lottery (ballot)
- Charity
- Overseas entry (tour groups)
- Good for age qualifications
- British Athletic club
- Championship entry
- Wheelchair participant
Entry fee: £100, which is around $124 US Dollars.
Lottery (ballot):
- Application period: (for the 2017 race) Monday 2 May and closed at 17:00 on Friday 6 May 2016
- Lottery notification date: From October 10-18th 2016 for the 2017 race. Emails and mail notifications were sent out.
In summary: Apply in MAY. Get notified in OCTOBER. Run in APRIL.
Charity: (As listed on their website) To apply for a charity place in 2017, you'll need to contact your chosen charity directly to see if they've got any places to offer you. Search the charity listings (click on link) then get in touch with your charity. Please note, there are usually more runners interested in running for each charity than there are charity places available, so the charities will select their runners based on the runner's connection with the good cause and how much money they are realistically able to raise for the charity. You can register your interest with your charity at any time and they'll keep you up to date. Charity runners will have to set up a fundraising page on Virgin Money. USA charity entries click here. Here is a sample of USA charities you can consider running for:
Overseas entry: The ballot opened on 2 May 2016 and closed at 17:00 on Friday 6 May 2016, for the 2017 race. The ballot was open for five days. All entrants heard the outcome of their application by Monday 17 October. For a list of approved tour operators, click here. For the USA: Marathon Tours & Travel.
Qualifications: Please note Good for Age entries are open to UK residents only. You can apply for a 'Good for Age entry' into the Virgin Money London Marathon if you have run a full marathon in the same time, or faster than, in the times listed below since 1 January 2015 for the 2017 race. For more information, click here for the website details.
- Application period: June 20-30th 2016
Men Time (in hours) Women Time (in hours)
Age 18-40 sub 3:05 Age 18-40 sub 3:45
Age 41-49 sub 3:15 Age 41-49 sub 3:50
Age 50-59 sub 3:20 Age 50-59 sub 4:00
Age 60-64 sub 3:45 Age 60-64 sub 4:30
Age 65-69 sub 4:00 Age 65-69 sub 5:00
Age 70-75 sub 5:00 Age 70-75 sub 6:00
76+ sub 5:30 76+ sub 6:30
British Athletic Club entry: Athletics clubs associated with British Athletics can apply for club entries into the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon. Click here for more information.
Championship entry: If you're a member of an athletics club associated with British Athletics and you achieve(d) a championship-qualifying performance for a marathon (or half marathon), you can apply for a championship entry place in the Virgin Money London Marathon. Click here for more details. How to qualify: You needed to have completed a marathon (or half marathon) in the same time, or faster than, the times listed below – these are the official championship qualifying performance times. Your qualifying time must have been achieved after 1 January 2015. System opens on November 14, 2016, with closing date of January 9th 2017 for the 2017 race.
Men Time (in hours) Women Time (in hours)
Full marathon sub 2:45 Full marathon sub 3:15
Half marathon sub 1:15 Half marathon sub 1:30
Wheelchair entry: Click here for more information.
TIp: Consider going through a tour group, like Marathon tours and Travel if you're interested in running this race or any of the World Marathon Majors.
HOW I WAS ABLE TO RUN THE LONDON MARATHON: I ran for charity! I had a fun time raising money. Plus it was worth it raising money for a good cause! This was my 2nd World Marathon Major.
The BMW Berlin Marathon
Race day: Sunday, September 24 2017
Enter the race through:
- Entry drawing (lottery) single runner or team
- Tour operators
- Charity
- "Fast Runners" (qualification/elite)
- Wheelchair or hand bike participants
Entry fee: Registration fee is 108€ (which is around $115).
Click here for details on entry.
Lottery/Entry drawing SINGLE RUNNER
- Application period: Registration for the entry drawing took place between October 19, 2016 - November 2, 2016.
- Notification: The results of the drawing will be announced by email on November 30 – December 2, 2016 for the 2017 race.
- In summary, apply in OCTOBER. Get notified NOVEMBER. Run September. This is the process for the 2017 race.
Lottery/Entry drawing TEAMS
- For the 44th BMW BERLIN MARATHON they will be offering entry drawings for teams of 2 to 3 persons, who would like to run together. Should the team be selected for participation, each team member will run “his or her own” BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. This is not a relay race. There is no team classification. Taken from the Berlin Marathon website.
- You can either enter the drawing as an individual or as part of a team. It is not permitted to enter both drawings. If you do attempt to register for both drawings, your data will be removed from the individual drawing and only the registered teammates will be entered into the drawing. If one team member is not able to participate, the other team members are, of course, allowed to start.
- Runners entered the drawing between October 19, 2016 - November 2, 2016.
- The results of the drawing will be announced by email on November 30 – December 2, 2016
Tip: Consider entering as a TEAm to increase your chances. maybe find a group of friends to go with you to germany. make it a fun destination race.
Tour operators: For more information on running with a tour group, click here. For runners in the USA, the following are options to use:
Marathon Adventures. Contact: Steve Hibbs
Tel. +1-612-345-2526
www.marathon-adventures.com
steve@marathon-adventures.com
Marathon Tours & Travel T.O.U.R.S. Contact: Thom Gilligan
Tel. 001(617)242 7845
www.marathontours.com/berlin-marathon
info@marathontours.com
Charity: Fore more information on running for charity, click here. According to their website, the following charity is their official partner:
NYRR Team for Kids (Agent)
Emily Dawson. Email: teamforkids@nyrr.org
Tel. 001 646 758 9693
www.teamforkids.org
"Fast Runners": Fast runners can secure a guaranteed spot for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
- Male Runners: under 2:45 hours – Age 45 and up (age group 1972 and older): under 2:55 hours
- Female runners: under 3:00 hours – Age 45 and up (age group 1972 and older): under 3:20 hours
- Registration took place between: October 19, 2016 – November 2, 2016
- The results of the drawing will be announced by email on November 30 –December 2, 2016
For those interested in competing as a skater, hand bike or wheelchair participant, click here for more information.
HOW I WAS ABLE TO RUN THE BERLIN MARATHON: A few years ago after the lottery and registration had closed, the Berlin Marathon opened up around 1,000 extra spots. It was "first come, first serve". As soon as registration opened up my husband got me a spot!
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Race day: Sunday, October 8, 2017
Enter the race through:
- Lottery (non guaranteed entry)
- Qualification (guaranteed entry)
- Charity
- Tour group
Entry fee: $195 US residents, and $220 for Non-USA residents.
Lottery (Non-Guarantee entry): ENTER NOW (blog written 11.10.16) if you are interested in running the 2017 race! The application period will end on November 29th, 2016. This is for non-guaranteed entries. Following the 2017 application window, names will be drawn at random from the full pool of non-guaranteed entry applications. Please note, prior to the drawing, duplicate applications will be removed. Submitting multiple applications will not increase your chances of receiving an entry through the drawing. Runners who apply for a non-guaranteed entry will be notified via email of their entry status on Tuesday, December 13.
Guaranteed entry (qualification): Men who have run a verifiable sub 3:15:00 marathon and women who have run a verifiable sub 3:45:00 marathon on or after January 1, 2015 can guarantee their spot in the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as a time qualifier at any time during the application window. The application window will close at 2 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) on Tuesday, November 29. For men, marathon finish times above 3:15:00 will not be considered; for women, marathon finish times above 3:45:00 will not be considered. Times run prior to January 1, 2015 will not be considered. Finish times at race distances other than a marathon, such as a half marathon or 50K, for example, will not be considered. A verifiable time is one run on a certified course, those certified by USA Track & Field (USATF) or a similar governing association; considerations will not be made for non-certified races, weather or course conditions. The above information was taken from the Chicago Marathon website.
Charity: Click here for more information on how to run for an official charity organization.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon hosts thousands of runners who choose to make their Chicago Marathon experience more meaningful by running on behalf of a charity. These runners begin the training season with goals for personal bests in their marathon time as well as in fundraising dollars. With every step you take and every dollar you raise, you can help organizations doing important work in our communities, and touch the lives of those in need. In 2016, over 10,000 charity runners participated in the Chicago Marathon on behalf of more than 170 local, national and global causes.
Tour group: For more information on affiliated tour groups, click here. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon works with international tour groups that offer travel, accommodation and race entry packages for international participants. Runners interested in participating in the Chicago Marathon can guarantee their place by signing up to run with an international tour group.
In summary, apply NOW (November). Get notified in DECEMBER. Run in OCTOBER.
HOW I WAS ABLE TO RUN THE CHICAGO MARATHON: Several years ago, one could simply sign up online to run the race. This was before they switched to a lottery system. This was my 1st World Marathon Major!
The TCS New York City Marathon
Race day: Sunday, November 5th, 2017
Enter the race through:
- Lottery
- Charity
- Qualifications
- Athletes with disabilities
- Tour groups
- NYRR 9+1
Entry fee: U.S. residents (those who live in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia). NYRR members: US $255. Non-members: US $295. Non-U.S. residents (including Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories): US $358
Lottery: The 2017 TCS New York City Marathon application will be open January 17-February 17, 2017. During this time runners can apply for the drawing or claim their guaranteed entry. The drawing will take place on March 2, 2017. For more information, click here. There is a sweepstakes taking place now! Taken from their website: You can also enter to win one of 70 prizes consisting of one guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon and two tickets to the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon Eve Dinner. Click here to enter!
In summary: Apply JAN-FEB 2017. Drawing will take place MARCH 2, 2017 (notification). Run NOVEMBER 5, 2017.
Charity: Running for a charity not only provides you with guaranteed entry, it also gives you the opportunity to change lives and give back to your community. The Official Charity Partners of the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon will be announced in March 2017. Click here for more information.
Qualification: The time-qualifying standards are as follows (runners only); all times run must be at least as fast as the posted time. Net (chip) time, not gun time, will be evaluated. Click here for more information on qualifying for the NYC Marathon.
Men's Standards:
Age* Marathon Half-marathon
18-34 2:53:00 1:21:00
35-39 2:55:00 1:23:00
40-44 2:58:00 1:25:00
45-49 3:05:00 1:28:00
50-54 3:14:00 1:32:00
55-59 3:23:00 1:36:00
60-64 3:34:00 1:41:00
65-69 3:45:00 1:46:00
70-74 4:10:00 1:57:00
75-79 4:30:00 2:07:00
80+ 4:55:00 2:15:00
Women's Standards:
Age* Marathon Half-marathon
18-34 3:13:00 1:32:00
35-39 3:15:00 1:34:00
40-44 3:26:00 1:37:00
45-49 3:38:00 1:42:00
50-54 3:51:00 1:49:00
55-59 4:10:00 1:54:00
60-64 4:27:00 2:02:00
65-69 4:50:00 2:12:00
70-74 5:30:00 2:27:00
75-79 6:00:00 2:40:00
80+ 6:35:00 2:50:00
New York Road Runners (NYRR) 9+1 Program: Click here for more information. The 9+1 and 9+$1K programs allow NYRR members who meet eligibility requirements to earn guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon! Runners completing their 9+1 program toward the TCS New York City Marathon must have their nine races and one volunteer opportunity completed by December 31, 2016.
Runners completing their 9+$1K program must have their nine races completed and make their $1,000 donation to NYRR's Youth and Community Services programs by December 31, 2016. Here are the requirements for the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon:
9+1 for 2017:
- Join NYRR by December 31, 2016 (must have an active NYRR membership by year's end)
- Complete nine scored, qualifying races in 2016
- Volunteer at one NYRR event in 2016
- Apply for guaranteed entry to the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon (information available in late 2016).
Athletes with disabilities: Click here for more information.
Tour groups/International Travel Partners: For more information, email tours@nyrr.org. Click here for more information.
For those who live outside the United States, guaranteed entry along with the purchase of a "Marathon Package" (i.e. flight to/from the New York City area and/or hotel stay in NYC) may be available through an official International Travel Partner (ITP) in your country or territory. International runners who reside in countries that do not have an ITP may purchase a Marathon Package from an ITP in another country. ITPs are not allowed to sell TCS New York City Marathon race entry by itself.
Please be sure to book your 2016 Marathon Package only from one of the official International Travel Partners listed on their website.
Tip: if you're near the nyc area, consider doing the 9+1 program if the lottery is not working for you.
HOW I WAS ABLE TO RUN THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON: Several years ago, if you entered the NYC Marathon lottery and didn't get it after 3 times, you got in automatically on the 4th time. They have since removed this program. It was called the 3+1 program. I entered the lottery 3 times in a row and didn't get in. So automatically I was allowed to run the marathon after my 3rd lottery entry. This was my 4th World Marathon Major.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Please feel free to comment or write questions if you have any regarding entry into one of these fabulous races. All of my information was taken from each individual race website. Please consult the websites for accurate, up-to-date information and many more details. Rules, the race course, dates, processes etc. are all subject to change. I have included a calendar (see below) with some important dates for you to remember.
If you really want to run one of these races, but are having a difficult time with the lottery or qualification process, consider running for charity. I can't think of a more honorable way to run a race. This is an excellent way to run a race you already want to run, plus help others.
Subscribe to my blog to receive race reports, updates and highlights from my training and Abbott World Marathon Major information. Follow me on social media as well for daily inspiration and posts about the Abbott World Marathon Majors! Good Luck to those who are attempting one of these races!
-Jill
***Disclaimer: I am an ambassador for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. My opinions expressed here are my own. Please refer to the marathon websites for accurate, up to date information.
Images or icons from each race or charity taken from the individual websites for the races and charity websites.