Chasing the Six Stars: How to Join the World’s Most Elite Running Club

Chasing the Six Stars: How to Join the World’s Most Elite Running Club

For marathon runners, there’s no greater achievement than earning the coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal. It’s the ultimate flex—a medal that proves you’ve conquered the six most iconic marathons on the planet. But becoming a Six Star Finisher isn’t just about signing up and showing up. It’s a journey that requires dedication, patience, and a little bit of luck.

Here’s how you can earn those six stars and join the world’s most elite running club.

1. Know the Six

To become a Six Star Finisher, you need to complete all six Abbott World Marathon Majors:

  • Tokyo Marathon 🇯🇵 – Fast, flat, and full of electric energy.

  • Boston Marathon 🇺🇸 – The holy grail of marathons, but you’ll need a qualifying time (or a charity bib) to get in.

  • London Marathon 🇬🇧 – A bucket list race with an epic atmosphere, but getting a spot through the lottery is tough.

  • Berlin Marathon 🇩🇪 – The fastest course in the world. If you’re chasing a PB, this is your race.

  • Chicago Marathon 🇺🇸 – The Windy City delivers a flat, fast course with crazy crowd support.

  • New York City Marathon 🇺🇸 – The grand finale. 5 boroughs, 50,000 runners, and a finish in Central Park.

2. Getting In—The Hard Part

Each of these races has its own entry system, and some are harder to get into than others. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Tokyo & London – Lottery system, but charity entries are possible.

  • Boston – Qualify with a fast marathon time or run for charity.

  • Berlin & Chicago – Lottery, but also entry through a tour operator or charity.

  • New York – Lottery, time qualifier, or guaranteed entry by running for charity or completing their 9+1 program.

The best strategy? Start with the easier ones (Chicago or Berlin), then tackle the harder ones (Boston and London).

3. Train Like a Pro (Because You’ll Need It)

Six marathons is no joke. If you want to finish strong in each, you need a long-term training plan that keeps you injury-free. Prioritize:

4. The Final Stretch

Once you’ve crossed the finish line in five races, you can apply for your Six Star Medal before your final race. The moment you finish that last marathon and receive the medal? Pure running glory.

 

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