I've never been particularly motivated to run in these Majors, mostly because I wanted to focus on the races that give me the best chance of success and/or optimal logistics and cost. But for 2025 I got a charity spot in the Tokyo Marathon. I used to live in Tokyo, our daughter was born there and I visit regularly due to work. I must admit I am so, so excited to be doing it in less than 7 weeks!!
10 years in a row trying to get into London ballot with no luck. Only getting more and more over-subscribed as time passes. Still hopeful Lady Luck will notice me one day!
Have you tried a charity place? I have the exact same issue with the ballot every year, but I thankfully managed to get a charity place for this year's event. Give it a try 👍🏻
NYC has pretty much made it impossible to enter outside the lottery. The men's 18-34 standard was 2:53 in 2024 but the actual cutoff was approximately 18:30 faster so basically a 2:35 which is going to be out of reach for a lot of people.
I have spots in London and Sydney for 2025. Going to enter the NYC lottery next month. Already have Berlin '19, Chicago '21 and Tokyo '23. Something to note about Tokyo, in addition to the overall 7 hour time limit, is that they have 8 check points that have their own cutoff times throughout the course. Mostly a concern for slower runners (myself included), but you could be on track for the 7 hour finish and get pulled at an earlier distance. Just something to be aware of.
Wow, I had no idea that these marathons are virtually impossible to join. Now I'm actually happy that Vienna City Marathon isn't a major and has a simple first-come-first-serve sign-up that allows me to run my 1st marathon ever.
Just for curiosity as Brazilian, the Rio de Janeiro Marathon was really trying to get the spot, however lost it to Australia as the Major to represent the south of the globe. However, they still have the hope to Rio de Janeiro Marathon be a Major one day and the one to represent South America, once that is a marathon with a lot of naturals sightseeing. The idea is if Cape Town enter and represents Africa, just South America will be missing a city in the Majors.
You DO need a qualification time to go to BOSTON with a tour group…. you have to qualify to secure your bib, the tour group just plans everything else for you! I went with Destination Marathons in 2024 & going with Sports Tours International this April 2025… so yes, you have to qualify for Boston, It says so on their site but all the other Majors they will supply the bib!
New York there is no official cut off time the last wave starts at 11:25 and usually the finish stays open until past 10pm although a lot of the drink stations start to come down after 6 hours along with the roads opening.
Great video, thanks Ben. It would be great if you could do one with marathons that you recommend in UK / Europe that are more affordable and easier to get.
I'd love to run London but I the 24 hr flight from Oz puts me off, plus I whenever I've entered the ballot I don't get in. Not really interested in the rest. I love that so many people are running now and if these events are what keeps people running I'm all for it.
I have Chicago this year, with NY, London and Berlin in the bag. All my places have been via charity. Unlopular opinion, but I'd like London to consider Legacy places in line with NY.
Doing my first major this year at Berlin! Very excited! The dream would be to get a good enough time to qualify for london but it might be a bit ambitious for my current ability 😅
Got a London charity place this year. I am going to try and get Berlin next year, hopefully, and that will probably be me done in regards to marathon majors
Just got into running so thinking of doing the 10km part of the Sydney Marathon! Then work my way up to do the half marathon, and then full one. Would love to meet you if you come to Australia! Ps. Yes Sydney marathon does have the best finish line!
I will be doing my first Major this year ( London in April), It has been on my wish list for quite some time and ..Going via an organised tour, costly but Its my Birthday present to myself.. crazy what us runners think is a "present" aka run a Marathon.
I don't even know if they have a marathon at all nowadays but there should be a marathon major in Greece starting in the city of Marathon and finishing in Athens (near the Acropolis).
There's no question for me. It's literally New York or Nowhere 😅❤ such an iconic race. Nothing comes close to beating the vibes of these streets on raceday! London is nice, but NY, that's something else Ben 😅
Hi Ben, I would definitely love to do New York marathon next year. It would be my first marathon abroad. I've done London three times now and I get in good for age so I wanted to use my qualifying time from London last year to do New York this year. I need to enter the same way as you're entering. You say the ballad opens in February, I would dearly love to receive any other information regarding the New York marathon from you? Please and thank you. Regards Kelly
I was pretty lucky with ballots last year, got into London 2025 (I got the confirmation email on my 40th birthday 🎉 and Great North Run, it'll be a busy year 😁
Yep, I’m in that club! 😂 I know some runners who use charity placements but it becomes a six month business plan! 😄 bingo events, raffles, collection events outside shops. All fine but I work two jobs and run and gym as well, kudos to anyone who manages it but I would be scared stiff I wouldn’t reach the required amount. So I’ll keep on trying the ballot. Maybe one day. Good luck to you as well 👍🏻
It's a bit unfair for us international runners who don't get the benefits of local qualification times and cutoffs. They are called the world majors but 3 are in the US. I didn't make the ballot for Berlin this year, it doesn't make sense to try for London not to mention Tokyo. Great video however. I hope to get at least one major in my life. In the meantime I'll collect other European ones.
you can wear whatever you want, a lot of people run them in costumes but there might be some restrictions for things like backpacks, check the rulebook
I luckily got into Berlin last year. Despite it being an absolute $h!t show for me, I’m still really glad I did it. I’ll never get 6 (or 7 stars now), but would like to complete a mini 3 star adding London and NY before the legs fall off. Would be great for Europe to get a 3rd major, But where would it be. Paris maybe. I read somewhere that they lost out to London for a major spot 🤔
It’s kind of sad where the majors have ended up. Influencers run them every year or try and run them all in one year. They’re good marathons and big ones, but the completionism narrative has gone a bit far. There are groups on social media specifically to help you get into these races. Thankfully Seville isn’t a major.
Pretty easy, throw more money and you can easily buy that medal. Lottery system is now a joke. I have a better chance of getting a time qualifier in Boston rather than getting selected
considering that London Marathon doesn't like/Want international runners (more expensive, less bibs available, no time qualification ), it will NEVER be the best marathon in the world
Not going to be giving them more money for no reason. Throw on some shoes and go run some good races. The 10s of thousands you'd need to spend to run all of these is outrageous and takes away from what running should be.
If you put in the work and qualify from time then it's deserved. If youre giving to charity to enter then you should be grateful to donate to charity. Tens of thousands? What exactly are you complaining about? Maybe a few hundred dollars for each race. The other thousands are you visiting the city afterwards lol
@@TheDude2010Think they are talking about the cost of global travel to complete all 7. Flights, hotels, taxis, food, drink etc... It would cost thousands to partake in all 7 majors to be fair
Got into Tokyo, Sydney and Chicago in 2025 via ballots on first application. I know I’m super blessed. 😇
So you’re rich 🔥🔥😅
@ I’m retired 🤣
Put the lottery on, then tell me the numbers!
I've never been particularly motivated to run in these Majors, mostly because I wanted to focus on the races that give me the best chance of success and/or optimal logistics and cost. But for 2025 I got a charity spot in the Tokyo Marathon. I used to live in Tokyo, our daughter was born there and I visit regularly due to work. I must admit I am so, so excited to be doing it in less than 7 weeks!!
see you there!
10 years in a row trying to get into London ballot with no luck. Only getting more and more over-subscribed as time passes. Still hopeful Lady Luck will notice me one day!
Have you tried a charity place? I have the exact same issue with the ballot every year, but I thankfully managed to get a charity place for this year's event. Give it a try 👍🏻
NYC has pretty much made it impossible to enter outside the lottery. The men's 18-34 standard was 2:53 in 2024 but the actual cutoff was approximately 18:30 faster so basically a 2:35 which is going to be out of reach for a lot of people.
What everyone does is 9+1. Also, I don’t think Ben mentioned it, but charity bibs are available (you need to raise (or pay) 1,500 usd to get one)
@ that’s a lot of hoops to jump through/a lot to pay for a race though. I just think they should remove the back doors and open the field up.
I doubt I will ever run a marathon but I'm watching anyway!
I have spots in London and Sydney for 2025. Going to enter the NYC lottery next month. Already have Berlin '19, Chicago '21 and Tokyo '23. Something to note about Tokyo, in addition to the overall 7 hour time limit, is that they have 8 check points that have their own cutoff times throughout the course. Mostly a concern for slower runners (myself included), but you could be on track for the 7 hour finish and get pulled at an earlier distance. Just something to be aware of.
Wow, I had no idea that these marathons are virtually impossible to join. Now I'm actually happy that Vienna City Marathon isn't a major and has a simple first-come-first-serve sign-up that allows me to run my 1st marathon ever.
Just for curiosity as Brazilian, the Rio de Janeiro Marathon was really trying to get the spot, however lost it to Australia as the Major to represent the south of the globe. However, they still have the hope to Rio de Janeiro Marathon be a Major one day and the one to represent South America, once that is a marathon with a lot of naturals sightseeing. The idea is if Cape Town enter and represents Africa, just South America will be missing a city in the Majors.
N sabia disso.... conseguir entrar na prova q tá osso
Good luck, Ben!!!
Sydney Marathon will be my first marathon in 12 years!! Lucky to get a place via the ballot …. From 🇲🇹 to 🇦🇺
You are the king of comprehensive, well-produced, entertaining running content! Thank you for helping so many of us 🙌
Great video, thanks Ben. Boston 21st April and London 6 days later hopefully see you at the Expo.
Berlin 25 - my first Marathon, with 41. Mainly triggered by watching your channel 👍Thx for enhancing my life Ben!
Thanks Ben! FYI for the chicago 2025 ballot that recently closed, our US track club had 1/28 people get in (
You DO need a qualification time to go to BOSTON with a tour group…. you have to qualify to secure your bib, the tour group just plans everything else for you! I went with Destination Marathons in 2024 & going with Sports Tours International this April 2025… so yes, you have to qualify for Boston, It says so on their site but all the other Majors they will supply the bib!
Sydney starts over the Harbour Bridge so might have the best start and finish. Great video as always Ben!
Great video as always Ben, thank you!
Love this video have only done the new York marathon as i got in on good for age as an over 50. Will be aiming for Boston
18 year old Ben was a little beast already
New York there is no official cut off time the last wave starts at 11:25 and usually the finish stays open until past 10pm although a lot of the drink stations start to come down after 6 hours along with the roads opening.
I'm running London marathon for the first time this year. New York is my bucket list race and will be entering the ballot. Fingers crossed.
Great video, thanks Ben. It would be great if you could do one with marathons that you recommend in UK / Europe that are more affordable and easier to get.
Sydney Marathon is going to be my first marathon! Love your work Ben🎉
I'd love to run London but I the 24 hr flight from Oz puts me off, plus I whenever I've entered the ballot I don't get in. Not really interested in the rest. I love that so many people are running now and if these events are what keeps people running I'm all for it.
I have Chicago this year, with NY, London and Berlin in the bag. All my places have been via charity. Unlopular opinion, but I'd like London to consider Legacy places in line with NY.
Doing my first major this year at Berlin! Very excited! The dream would be to get a good enough time to qualify for london but it might be a bit ambitious for my current ability 😅
Absolutely loved NYC, the crowds were insane. I would like to do London again
Got a London charity place this year. I am going to try and get Berlin next year, hopefully, and that will probably be me done in regards to marathon majors
love the vids Ben
Just got into running so thinking of doing the 10km part of the Sydney Marathon! Then work my way up to do the half marathon, and then full one. Would love to meet you if you come to Australia!
Ps. Yes Sydney marathon does have the best finish line!
I will be doing my first Major this year ( London in April), It has been on my wish list for quite some time and ..Going via an organised tour, costly but Its my Birthday present to myself.. crazy what us runners think is a "present" aka run a Marathon.
Ultra-Trail Australia and Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko will be my two big races for the year. You should do UTA one year, Ben.
I’m not going to attending any marathon majors. I’m going to run the Atlanta half-marathon in march.
After the NYC Marathon last year, I’m going all in this year with Boston, Berlin and Chicago 😄💪🏻
I don't even know if they have a marathon at all nowadays but there should be a marathon major in Greece starting in the city of Marathon and finishing in Athens (near the Acropolis).
See you in Sydney Ben! :D
Getting my 2nd star this year at Tokyo and running Chicago for the 3rd time. 🤗
Chicago was my favourite so far! Not sure im that bothered by the newer additions Tokyo&Sydney. I just want the old school 5!
5:59 my guy sacrificed a few seconds just for a kiss
Hi Ben, are u going to be at the Running Show Birmingham on 25/26th?
It would be a dream come true for me if I could ever run any of the world majors , (especially London marathon).
I like this video series, very achievable goals. Can you make a video on how to win a marathon?
Run faster than everyone else, simple.
There's no question for me. It's literally New York or Nowhere 😅❤ such an iconic race. Nothing comes close to beating the vibes of these streets on raceday! London is nice, but NY, that's something else Ben 😅
Suprised you didn't mention the abbott majors lotter :O
Any plans to come to Long Beach, CA? They're having their Marathon weekend in October
Hi Ben, I would definitely love to do New York marathon next year. It would be my first marathon abroad. I've done London three times now and I get in good for age so I wanted to use my qualifying time from London last year to do New York this year. I need to enter the same way as you're entering. You say the ballad opens in February, I would dearly love to receive any other information regarding the New York marathon from you? Please and thank you. Regards Kelly
I got in the ballot for Sydney!
i am in for the sydney 2025 run~ wohoooo
going to London (save me a hat :) at expo), Berlin and Chicago this year!!!
I was pretty lucky with ballots last year, got into London 2025 (I got the confirmation email on my 40th birthday 🎉 and Great North Run, it'll be a busy year 😁
Entered the London ballot for 15 years and never been successful 😳 let alone attempting to enter the others!
Yep, I’m in that club! 😂 I know some runners who use charity placements but it becomes a six month business plan! 😄 bingo events, raffles, collection events outside shops. All fine but I work two jobs and run and gym as well, kudos to anyone who manages it but I would be scared stiff I wouldn’t reach the required amount. So I’ll keep on trying the ballot. Maybe one day. Good luck to you as well 👍🏻
@ I’m in the same position regards to work/life balance and charity places unfortunately! Good luck and hope to see you out there sometime
Hi Ben,
And what about visually impaired runners? Is there any other way to get in?
Cheers
It's a bit unfair for us international runners who don't get the benefits of local qualification times and cutoffs. They are called the world majors but 3 are in the US. I didn't make the ballot for Berlin this year, it doesn't make sense to try for London not to mention Tokyo. Great video however. I hope to get at least one major in my life. In the meantime I'll collect other European ones.
Do you have to wear a vest when running these marathons? Or can you wear t shirts?
you can wear whatever you want, a lot of people run them in costumes
but there might be some restrictions for things like backpacks, check the rulebook
It is going to be Berlin this year as my first marathon ever
When is the Berlin Ballot open?
Have you ever run a ragnar race or even heard of it?
Did they just change sub 3 to qualify to 2:55?
Yes
Great video.
Just got NYC to do to get my 6 star medal. Its an incredible journey to go on to get these races completed. Highly recommended
I'm sorry, but the NYC marathon is the best. Best fans and most professionally organized race. Only place in NYC without fans is the bridges.
London... simply the best..👍👍
Would you run London in a costume like a bunch of the other people?
Crazy.
maybe add another city from ussa and zero from south america? 😜
I luckily got into Berlin last year. Despite it being an absolute $h!t show for me, I’m still really glad I did it. I’ll never get 6 (or 7 stars now), but would like to complete a mini 3 star adding London and NY before the legs fall off.
Would be great for Europe to get a 3rd major, But where would it be. Paris maybe. I read somewhere that they lost out to London for a major spot 🤔
It’s kind of sad where the majors have ended up. Influencers run them every year or try and run them all in one year. They’re good marathons and big ones, but the completionism narrative has gone a bit far. There are groups on social media specifically to help you get into these races.
Thankfully Seville isn’t a major.
I like medium sized events
Pretty easy, throw more money and you can easily buy that medal. Lottery system is now a joke. I have a better chance of getting a time qualifier in Boston rather than getting selected
considering that London Marathon doesn't like/Want international runners (more expensive, less bibs available, no time qualification ), it will NEVER be the best marathon in the world
I’m not too far away from the non-binary BQ for my age, might be worth thing about that route
I’ll just stick to running regular marathons lol
Found this gem today in "Ben is running"'s latest upload: ruclips.net/video/MUQEk4RGdxY/видео.htmlsi=c-PDbmG11Z0tF1kS&t=502
If a person run the London marathon they should be banned from entering again
New York. Not even interseted in a debate lol
I love all your videos but, wow - calm down a bit ! It was tiring to listen to, to be honest - like an F1 commentary only quicker !
Not going to be giving them more money for no reason. Throw on some shoes and go run some good races. The 10s of thousands you'd need to spend to run all of these is outrageous and takes away from what running should be.
As a disabled runner the requirements seem ridiculous to me. My current HM is a shitty 2:18 because I cant see where I'm going.
If you put in the work and qualify from time then it's deserved. If youre giving to charity to enter then you should be grateful to donate to charity. Tens of thousands? What exactly are you complaining about? Maybe a few hundred dollars for each race. The other thousands are you visiting the city afterwards lol
I want to try and run Chicago since I live only 5 hours away from the city, but I don’t need to do any other ones for that reason.
@@TheDude2010Think they are talking about the cost of global travel to complete all 7. Flights, hotels, taxis, food, drink etc... It would cost thousands to partake in all 7 majors to be fair
@@paulmulksexactly