Is this just the start?
Sawe shocked the world in London...but how did he do it?
There are days in your life you will never forget, and for me, April 26, 2026, is one of those days.
Ironically, it was the first time in my role as CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors that I was not standing at the finish when Sabastian Sawe ran the first ever sub-two-hour marathon in competition!
That was because I chose this year’s TCS London Marathon to be my first star, and I was walk-running my way through the streets of that amazing city while history was being made way ahead of me!
It was the most incredible experience to see and hear the crowds that lined the route for what felt like the entire 26.2 miles, perhaps even more so because of the extra energy we all felt from that record-defining moment.
I cannot wait to get star No. 2, hopefully at one of this year’s fall races.
But back to the front of the race. Wow! What a moment for the sport, and for the world as a whole. We saw not just one, but two athletes breaking that magic barrier, making what we once thought impossible no longer an obstacle.
It was an amazing athletic accomplishment but also carried a very simple message for all of us: we can do great things if we truly believe they can be accomplished.
Sabastian was our first cover star of 2026, but there was no other choice for the second issue of MAJORS magazine. I hope you enjoy the chance to re-live that phenomenal day in these pages.
London capped another fantastic spring season in our 20th year, with Tokyo delivering an epic sprint in the men’s race and Boston’s course record being blown away on a blustery day. And we also mustn’t forget Tigst Assefa lowering the women-only record for the second straight year in London.
Barriers were broken everywhere you look. It seems that’s just the way we do things at the Majors!
We’ll be carrying that momentum into Cape Town as we head to Africa for the Age Group World Championships at the end of May. We are also hoping the race will secure its second pass in the evaluation process and join our series in 2027.
After such a historic spring already, there is so much to look forward to, and now I can say I really am on the journey with you all!
Dawna Stone, CEO, Abbott World Marathon Majors
The Image
There was a moment when Sebastian Sawe was sprinting along Birdcage Walk, with
Big Ben in his wake and Buckingham Palace on the horizon, that the impossible
suddenly became inevitable.
The talk in the media centre 24 hours earlier focused
on the world record being under threat. But sub-two? Surely not.
The clock ticked up as Sawe serenely turned right into Spur Road and then onto The Mall.
He coasted past a sea of spectators recording history on their iPhones towards the
bank of photographers stationed just beyond the finish line.
As he crossed the line time stood still.
One. Fifty Nine. Thirty. Spectators looked on is disbelief.
Even reporters broke their code and cheered.
The one person who didn’t seem surprised was the man himself,
who promptly told everyone he could run even quicker.
The world awaits.
Image: Bob Martin for London Marathon Events
THE WARMUP
The latest news from around the Majors
TOKYO
Tokyo results book released for 2026
The Official Program Guidebook now includes the Result (page 180-269).
The Results Book features key statistics on runners, along with race reports for the wheelchair and elite marathons, top finishers, the top 10 by age group (in five-year increments), and full results for each categories.
Explore the official race records and relive the memories of the event here.
BOSTON
Boston makes huge strides towards sustainability target
The Boston Athletic Association released their 2025 Sustainability Report which highlighted rapid progress towards their 42% emissions reductions target.
The report also revealed that $50.4m was raised for 172 nonprofit organisations through their Official Charity Program.
Around 20 tons of clothing was donated and 7.7 tons of compostable cups were collected from BAA events.
LONDON
London reveals full extent of their record-breaking weekend
The records keep on tumbling following an astonishing TCS London Marathon.
Just a week after Sabastian Sawe ran sub-two and Tigst Assefa lowered her women-only world record, London Marathon Events announced two further landmarks.
An astonishing 1.34m people applied for the 2027 ballot, an 18% uplift on last year. Of those who applied, 1m were from the UK – another record high.
The organisation also announced £87.5m was raised for charities – a world record for a single-day event.
SYDNEY
Experience sensational Sydney without having to run 26.2 miles
The TCS Sydney Mini Marathon presented by ASICS is now on sale.
The event, which is held on the morning of 29 August, begins at Macquirie Street and ends 5km later at the world-famous Sydney Opera House.
The 10km event will not be held in the 2026 program so the 5km race is your only chance to experience the Sydney Marathon without having to run 26.2 miles.
BERLIN
Charity route still available for Berlin
Missed out on a ballot place for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON?
You can still be on the start line by enrolling in the race’s official charity program.
There is a wide range of charities with all offering a guaranteed place in the iconic race.
Typically more than €5m are raised for charities on race day.
CHICAGO
Cubs baseball hero to run Chicago for charity
Chicago Cubs legend Anthony Rizzo, who was part of their 2016 World Series triumph, will run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
The three-time All Star will be running to raise money for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation which supports cancer research and families affected by the disease.
Rizzo, who overcame Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was a teenager, is aiming to raise $100,000.
NEW YORK
NYRR celebrates Emmy nomination
New York Road Runners, the non-profit which organises the TCS New York City Marathon, has been nominated for a National Sports Emmy for their documentary ‘Final Finishers’.
The film, which focuses on the heroes at the back of the pack during races, is in contention to win the Outstanding Sports Documentary Short category.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Lincoln Center in New York City on Tuesday, 26 May.
WHAT MADE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE?
So, how are marathon runners achieving what once felt impossible? The answer lies in a mix of talent, science and preparation - with advances in shoes, training, nutrition and recovery all helping push the limits of human performance…
While many are still recovering from Sabastian Sawe’s record-breaking run at this year’s London Marathon, others have already moved from awe to asking one simple question: how?
How are runners now producing these mind-blowing times? After all, two athletes broke the two-hour barrier in London on 26 April and Tigst Assefa set a new women’s-only world record of 2:15:41. What is so different now compared to five or 10 years ago? We cannot be evolving as a species that quickly!
And yet something is helping push already exceptional athletes to levels of greatness that will forever live in the history books. This sub-two marathon era feels like our generation’s sub-four-minute mile moment - something once thought impossible that has redefined human potential and is now inspiring runners at every level.
The truth is, performances like the ones we witnessed in London are the result of multiple factors coming together at exactly the right time. Talent and training remain at the heart of it all, of course, but modern marathon running has also picked up a slightly geekier teammate: science.
From shoe technology to nutrition and recovery to psychology, science is an integral part of elite performance - athletes are training smarter and understanding their bodies in ways that were not possible a generation ago. In many ways, it feels closer to Formula 1 than traditional distance running now with teams built entirely around extracting the smallest possible advantage at every level!
In this piece, we take a closer look at the key factors driving marathon running’s modern revolution.
Shoes
It’s impossible to talk about where marathon running is now without starting with the shoes. Since they first arrived around the 2016 Olympics, so-called ‘super shoes’ have quietly changed the sport and at elite level, they’re no longer a nice-to-have, they’re essential.
Better foam and carbon plates work together to improve running economy which really just means runners can use less energy to maintain the same pace. The science behind it is pretty technical but the impact is easy to understand, with improvements of up to four per cent in some cases, which over a marathon is the difference between minutes, not seconds.
Every sub-two-hour marathon ever run (official or not) has been done in carbon-plated shoes and that tells you all you need to know! At this year’s London Marathon, the shoe of choice was the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, worn by Sabastian Sawe, Yomif Kejelcha and women’s winner Tigst Assefa. At just 99g it’s the lightest racing shoe ever made and Sawe himself said they are the best shoes he’s worn, explaining how light and stable they felt over the distance.
There’s also another shift happening that doesn’t get talked about as much: durability. Early evidence suggests super shoes may also reduce muscle damage and soreness, which starts to matter a lot when you’re deep into a marathon and everything is trying to fall apart.
Training
Sawe took more than two minutes off his personal best in London, and a big part of that, he says, came from structure - running around 200km a week at altitude and building very specific blocks of training. Marathon training today is a very different beast to even a decade ago, it’s still hard work with some big mileage required, but it’s far more targeted with less guesswork and more precision.
In Sawe’s case, that meant a combination of high-mileage weeks, altitude training and sessions designed to mirror race conditions as closely as possible. It’s no longer just about how much you can handle on race day but how specifically you can prepare for exactly what race day demands.
There was also a strong focus on gut training and fuelling, not just on race day – a lot of time is spent getting the body used to taking on carbohydrates at speed without falling apart which leads us neatly into the next point.
“I didn’t believe, but I was well prepared.”
Sabastian Sawe
Evolution of the Marathon World Record since the Majors began
Haile Gebrselassie
2:04:26
BERLIN 2007
Haile Gebrselassie
2:03:59
BERLIN 2008
Patrick Makau
2:03:38
BERLIN 2011
Wilson Kipsang
2:03:23
BERLIN 2013
Dennis Kimetto
2:02:57
BERLIN 2014
Eliud Kipchoge
2:01:39
BERLIN 2018
Eliud Kipchoge
2:01:09
BERLIN 2022
Kelvin Kiptum
2:00:35
CHICAGO 2023
Sabastian Sawe
1:59:30
LONDON 2026
Nutrition
Sawe reportedly took on around 115g of carbohydrates per hour, a number that would have been almost unthinkable not that long ago and that’s only possible because of how fuelling itself has evolved. Hydrogel technology now allows athletes to take in more energy with far fewer stomach issues, which used to be one of the main limiting factors in marathon running.
Sawe’s approach was simple in theory but highly structured in practice: carbohydrate loading in the days before, a light pre-race breakfast and then a steady stream of gels and drinks at set intervals throughout the race. The interesting change here is that athletes aren’t just eating more, they’re training their bodies to handle more with gut training now a real part of elite preparation. Without it, none of this fuelling works.
Psychology
At this level, the body is rarely the first thing to give in - the mind is! A lot of modern sports science talks about the ‘psychobiological ceiling’, which is essentially the point where effort feels too high, even if the body still has more to give. What stands out about performances like Sawe’s is how that ceiling gets pushed back - not dramatically, but enough to make the difference between ‘almost’ and ‘historic’.
The fact that Sawe’s second half was quicker than the first isn’t just fitness - it’s control and staying composed when everything is telling you to speed up or indeed slow down. A lot of this comes from preparation as when you’ve done the work a quiet confidence builds – those hundreds of kilometres every week let the brain know that the pace is possible.
There’s also something important in how athletes view the challenge themselves - the best seem to strip it down to simple execution rather than chasing a record in their heads, as Sawe said afterwards: “I didn’t believe, but I was well prepared.”
Recovery
The other side of all this is recovery - training has got harder and racing has got faster so recovery has had to catch up. It’s no longer just about resting between sessions, recovery covers sleep, nutrition, physiotherapy, soft tissue work and in some cases more advanced methods aimed at speeding up how quickly the body can repair itself such as the use of hyperbaric chambers.
The goal is simple, to get back to training sooner and to be able to train well again because at the very top end of marathon running consistency is everything. The athletes who can absorb the load and recover well are the ones who keep moving the sport forward.
And so, there isn’t one simple answer to how we’ve got here. Shoes, training, nutrition, psychology and recovery as well as that all important ‘raw talent’ are pushing things forward simultaneously - coming together to produce something remarkable that, not so long ago, felt impossible.
A new documentary about one of the greatest marathon runners of all-time hit the big screen in London’s West End at the end of April.
Chasing Stars, which followed Paula Radcliffe in Tokyo and Boston as she completed her Six Star journey, had its premiere just days before the TCS London Marathon.
More than 200 people attended the special screening, which began with Paula being interviewed by Olympic medallist , former world champions and fellow BBC commentator Steve Cram.
The film also looks back on Paula’s illustrious career, which included seven Abbott World Marathon Majors wins, countless world records and a World Championship gold.
“I was blown away when I saw it,” said Paula.
“It was very humbling and a little bit emotional.
“Getting the Six Star Medal was something I really wanted to do. It was a personal journey and I thought it would be really nice to have it documented.
“They’ve made something really special.
“Pat, the director, has done a brilliant job telling the story but little things like finding footage of my dad, because I had talked about him, meant a lot.
“I also had the chance to go back to Franklin Park, where I had won the World Cross Country Championships – 34 years ago now!”
Watch Chasing Stars:
"Everything I do is for Alice"
Inspiring Six Star journey reaches its emotional conclusion in London
As Sergio Aguiar gripped his Six Star medal and pointed skyward, it was hard to imagine a more inspiring moment from the TCS London Marathon.
Everyone has a reason for running 26.2 miles and Sergio’s is more powerful than most.
Two years ago his daughter Alice was killed in the Southport attacks and for the last 12 months Sergio has run all the Abbott World Marathon Majors, spreading her name - ‘and magic’ – around the six iconic cities.
“This is for Alice,” he said as he clutched his medal on The Mall.
“Everything I do is for her and her name. I hope it [running the Majors] makes her proud of us.”
“He’s an inspiration to everyone,” added his wife, Alexandra, who presented Sergio with his Six Star Medal in one of the day’s most emotional scenes.
“I don’t know where he gets the strength to carry on. It’s really hard because it’s not just about the running.”
Sergio and Alexandra have been welcomed into the running community with open arms, but for every congratulatory pat on the back and high five at the finish line is an unknowing question about his reason for running.
“Sometimes it’s hard to explain and I prefer to say nothing but we need to keep spreading her name and her legacy,” he said.
Inspired by their daughter’s love of dancing, the couple have set up Alice’s WonderDance, which aims to make dancing more inclusive in the North West.
So far Sergio’s remarkable efforts have helped raise £92,000, which will help pay for uniforms, equipment and exams for young dancers.
“I speak to her when I hit the wall. I ask her to give me a big push. I keep her with me from the start to the finish.”
“She loved dancing,” said Alexandra. “The foundation will help spread dancing to others.”
London, as happened with the majority of Sergio’s other marathons, was unseasonably warm on race day.
The sight of sunshine is normally an unwelcome one for runners but it carried extra significance for Sergio and Alexandra.
“She’s always with us,” said Alexandra. “We feel her, we feel the magic, especially on a day when he is due to run.
“It’s always the hottest day and I think it’s Alice sending the sunshine for her dad.”
For Sergio, Alice is always at his side when things get tough on the course.
“I keep seeing her and imagining her with us,” he added.
“I speak to her when I hit the wall. I ask her to give me a big push. I keep her with me from the start to the finish.”
While London marked the end of a special Six Star Journey, Sergio insists his life in running is only just getting started.
Incredibly, before he embarked on his epic challenge the furthest Sergio had run was 10km.
“The last 12 months’ running have helped me a lot,” he said. “You need to train two or three times a week. It’s time I have for myself and I feel much better. It’s my therapy.”
CANDIDATE PROCESS
The Abbott World Marathon Majors schedule could look very different in 2027 if the two candidate races pass their final assessments this year.
The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, in 2024, and Shanghai Marathon, last year, both passed stage one of the candidacy process and are on track to join the Majors.
It would mean the series would expand to nine races with two new countries added to the roster.
Cape Town should have undergone their second assessment last October but they were forced to cancel their marathon on the morning of the race due to freak weather conditions.
The AbbottWMM assessment team will return to Cape Town on May 24 to carry out their next inspection.
“We look forward to being back in Cape Town in May to see both the runners, and the race, get over that finish line.”
AbbottWMM CEO Dawna Stone.
All runners who finish this year's Cape Town Marathon will receive a provisional star which will be upgraded to full status if the race passes its evaluation.
Assessors will then head to China at the end of the year to undertake Shanghai’s second assessment before becoming a Major.
The marathon was evaluated in November 2025 and met all the criteria set in order to pass stage one.
Shanghai will now be required to meet the criteria for a second consecutive year when it stages its next marathon on December 6.
If it is successful, the race would join the Majors in 2027.
“We have seen a fantastic level of commitment from the Shanghai team throughout their candidacy.”
Dawna Stone
“Their hard work has put them firmly on the pathway to success and our evaluation team was very impressed with the event they witnessed in November. We have high hopes that the race will continue on its promising trajectory and make their dream a reality.”
26.2 MILES OF
CAPE TOWN MAGIC
The Cape Town Marathon is not just a race through one of the world’s most beautiful cities, it is a journey into the soul of South African running culture.
Few marathons can match Cape Town’s backdrop with Table Mountain’s towering presence and the Atlantic Ocean wrapping around the stunning coastline.
Add to this the city’s vibrant neighborhoods and you find this is a place of contrasts, with the marathon route providing runners with a front-row seat to all of it.
As the race edges closer to Abbott World Marathon Major status, it is attracting increasing international attention, but according to South African running content creator and influencer Geoff Crow, it is not simply the scenery that makes this race unforgettable. “It’s not really the route that’s the feature of the marathon,” he explains. “It’s the coming together of the whole South African running community.”
With four Cape Town Marathons to his name, Geoff helps us break down the course and the moments that make this race unlike any other.
The Postcard Start
The race begins in Green Point beside Cape Town Stadium, with runners gathering just minutes from the city centre and the Atlantic coastline. This year’s event features two nearby start zones to ease congestion and improve the overall race experience.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere is distinctly Cape Town - relaxed, social and scenic. Runners head past the V&A Waterfront before climbing onto the elevated freeway for one of the race’s defining moments as Geoff explains: “There’s this incredible postcard moment. You’re running towards Table Mountain just as the sun is rising over the city. It’s probably within the first five kilometers and you suddenly realize - wow, we’re really doing this!”
With the city skyline to one side and the mountain dominating the horizon ahead, it is the kind of start few marathons in the world can rival.
Finding Your Rhythm
After the early excitement, the course settles into a long, flat stretch towards Rondebosch, giving runners the opportunity to relax into marathon pace.
Geoff describes this section as ideal for ‘ticking over the kilometers’ and conserving energy early. Unlike some other marathons known for downhill opening sections or aggressive uphills later on, Cape Town offers a more balanced challenge. “It’s a nice, honest marathon course,” he says. “There are long flats, some climbs and some downhills. If you pace it well and conserve your energy, you’ll really benefit later on.”
At around halfway, runners hit one of the race’s first major activation zones, where DJs, music and packed crowds inject fresh energy into the field. “That’s where the race really starts to come alive,” Geoff says. “You’re deep enough into the marathon that the support means something.”
Different Flavors
As the course loops back towards the city through Salt River and Woodstock, runners experience one of the marathon’s most unique qualities - the changing character of Cape Town’s neighborhoods. Geoff explains: “You’ll feel the different flavors of Cape Town in every suburb. It’s not a vanilla flavor the whole way.”
Each community brings its own personality to the roadside support. Music pours into the streets and families gather outside homes. You will find that local crews cheer loudly for friends and strangers alike.
In Woodstock, runners pass the famous The Old Biscuit Mill, a former industrial site transformed into one of the city’s trendiest cultural spaces filled with markets, cafés and restaurants. Nearby, one of the marathon’s biggest community cheer zones awaits.
“There’s this huge Adidas activation around 24 kilometres," says Geoff.
"The local running community is there, DJs are playing, people are shouting your name and you get this massive emotional lift.”
The Musical Marathon
The deeper runners move into Cape Town, the more the race begins to reflect the city’s cultural identity. Along sections of the route, especially near Salt River and Woodstock, local Cape minstrel bands line the streets playing upbeat brass music in brightly colored outfits. “They bring this incredible energy,” says Geoff. “You hear the music before you even see them.” It is not unusual, he told us, to see runners briefly start dancing at the roadside before continuing on their way.
The Sights
The route also passes several of the city’s historic landmarks, including the Castle of Good Hope and Cape Town City Hall, where runners pass the statue of Nelson Mandela. For Geoff, these moments represent something bigger than sport as he explains: “Running really crosses divides in South Africa, people from every background come together because they love running and you really get a sense of that during this race.”
In Good Company
At around the 30-kilometre mark, the route heads uphill through Company’s Garden and while the incline arrives at a difficult stage of the marathon, Geoff describes it as one of the most memorable sections on the course: “It suddenly feels more intimate - you move from these big open roads into this beautiful garden setting with supporters close beside you.” Surrounded by historic buildings, trees and live entertainment, the atmosphere helps pull runners through one of the toughest points of the race.
The CBD
Soon after, runners descend through Long Street in the CBD, where another enormous cheer zone erupts with DJs, music and packed crowds. This is a really emotional part of the race for Geoff: “I always get goosebumps running through there!”
Enter The Loop of Death
Then comes the section every Cape Town Marathon runner remembers, those final eight kilometres which are known locally as the 'Loop of Death' - both spectacular and psychologically brutal. The reason? Runners head back towards Green Point before looping away from the finish line for one final stretch along the Atlantic Seaboard. “The hardest part is mentally running past the finish and knowing you still have more to do,” Geoff says.
Historically, this section has often delivered strong winds and rising temperatures, although the move to a May race date is expected to provide cooler, more manageable conditions. Still, the scenery softens the suffering. “You’re running right next to the ocean with incredible crowd support everywhere,” Geoff says. “If you’ve paced the race well, you can really enjoy yourself here.”
Blue Carpet Glory
Eventually, the route circles back towards Green Point and the finish line awaits beside Cape Town Stadium. A long blue carpet stretches towards the finish line, welcoming runners home after 26.2 unforgettable miles. Geoff sums the moment up: “It’s such an emotional finish - you’ve got the crowds, the atmosphere and the stadium beside you - it feels huge!”
For many international runners, the race may begin as a bucket-list marathon in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. But according to Geoff, they leave remembering something else entirely. “They’ll come for the scenery,” he says, “but what they’ll remember is the people.”
Age Group champion targeting historic three-peat
Two-time champion Gwen Jacobson believes she’s a marked woman as she aims for a hat-trick of titles at the Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours and Travel Age Group World Championships in Cape Town.
Jacobson took gold in Sydney and New York and is aiming to become just the third person to win three titles in succession.
The American runner heads to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon as the red-hot favourite to win the women’s 65-69 category, having posted a 3:17:57 qualifying time, which is more than five minutes quicker than Russia’s Olga Alaeva.
“Being the defending champion does put a target on my back,” said Jacobson.
History beckons for Jacobson if she can recapture the form of Sydney and New York and win a third gold medal.
If she does then Jacobson will join Japanese runner Mai Fujisawa as the only other person to have won three in a row.
“There’s one other person that has won three consecutive championships and I’d love to join that elite group,” she said.
Despite being an experienced marathon runner who competes up to 12 times a year, Jacobson admits she will travel to Cape Town with a little trepidation. However, she insists she will embrace the new challenge in her quest to become a three-time champion.
Gwen competing in the 2024 championship's in Sydney
Gwen competing in the 2024 championship's in Sydney
“I’m excited to compete in Cape Town,” she said.
“It’s a long way, in a country I’ve never been to and a course I've never run, so there is a lot of uncertainty at that start line.
“But I like a little added extra pressure. To put it all on the line makes my heart happy.”
Pacemaker turned runner's life around
Brooklyn, NY’s Daniela Maestro recently completed the London Marathon with Team Abbott
Daniela is a two-time cancer survivor living with a rare condition called malignant vasovagal syncope, which causes prolonged heart pauses and sudden fainting. She suffered from unexplained, dangerous blackouts for nearly a decade until receiving an Abbott pacemaker in January 2023. Since then, she has been blackout-free.
Running has given Daniela more control over her health and she celebrates her recovery with each new finish line.
Looking ahead, Daniela will be running the Brooklyn Half and the 2026 NYC Marathon.
AGE GROUP RACES IN FOCUS
Looking for your next marathon adventure? Here are four stunning races on either side of the Atlantic.
Grandma's Marathon
Over nearly 50 years, Grandma’s Marathon has grown into something much more than a 26.2-mile stretch of road in northern Minnesota. It’s now a “can’t miss” celebration of human spirit, a weekend when that word “impossible” ceases to exist while thousands of runners start the race as strangers, but finish as friends.
Adidas Stockholm Marathon
On May 30, the streets of Stockholm come alive for the record-breaking adidas Stockholm Marathon. Missed your chance to secure a spot? Good news - registration for 2027 reopens on May 25. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of one of Europe’s most iconic running events.
Wizz Air Venicemarathon
The Wizz Air Venicemarathon, one of the most fascinating and evocative races in the world, is preparing for a truly special edition on Sunday, October 25, when it will celebrate its 40th anniversary. This unique and unmissable opportunity is reserved for only 10,000 marathon runners.
Big Sur Marathon
Fresh off another sold-out year on California’s breathtaking Highway 1, the Big Sur International Marathon continues to draw a global field to its iconic coastal course. With plans underway for a landmark 40th anniversary in 2027, runners are encouraged to join the email list for early registration access and updates.
GOLD STANDARD
From Tokyo to London, it's been a busy start to the year for our Gold Club members.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors Gold Club is an exclusive community that provides curated experiences, discounts, events, and unfettered access to the Majors.
Your annual membership starts with a limited edition welcome gift shipped to you, along with access to discounts on gear and apparel for all runners, plus race discounts across the globe.
You’ll have the opportunity to take part in a masterclass with Olympian bronze medalist Deena Kastor and renowned running coach Martin Yelling. Or join us at a Gold Club luxury run retreat.
At the Majors, our Gold Club members receive a one-of-a-kind gift and can enjoy happy hour social events for a chance to connect with other members from around the world. Members are also invited for a chance to take part in smaller, more intimate events with special guests, including race directors for the Majors.
Gold Club members also have a chance to be a part of a weekend of unforgettable events, including pre-race shakeout runs, hospitality and finish line access, VIP start line access, and even the opportunity to present our coveted Six Star Medals on race day!
Our Gold Club Waitlist is open now for 2027 membership; don’t miss your chance to be a part of this exclusive community!
Kristyn R. Smith is a New York-based running coach, masters athlete, and proud Six Star Finisher who completed her journey at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon.
With record numbers of people trying to get places in the Majors, Kristyn gives some tips to the first-timers who have received some good news in the ballot but are unsure what to do next!
Today is the day. Notification day. You’ve refreshed your inbox 1,000 times when all of a sudden there it is. Your heart stops. You’ve been accepted to your first Major, your first marathon!
You are overjoyed, the excitement is palpable, until gradually, the enormity of your task sets in…How on earth are you going to run a marathon?
First things first, take a deep breath. It’s normal for enthusiasm to give way to fear as countless uncertainties creep in. Not to worry, I’m here with a guide. Read on.
Before you begin training in earnest, do some strategizing. By considering a few important questions at the outset, the road to race day can be paved with more than good intentions. Think of it like building a house. You wouldn’t start the framing without first determining how many bedrooms and bathrooms it will have and what materials you will use. Building the foundations are crucial and the marathon should be approached similarly.
Here is the blueprint to your first marathon finish:
1. How much time can you realistically devote to training on a regular weekly basis?
Consistency over the long haul is pivotal to marathon success. As amateurs we are not paid to run. That means you will be juggling all of life’s responsibilities, work, family/friends, and household chores while putting in multiple hours of running each week. Adequate rest and recovery can’t be overlooked either. You’ll need to do this throughout the training block, 16-20 weeks in a row. Consider those non-negotiable parameters first, then work out how much time can you carve out for training. Remember the number one priority is sustainability.
2. What are your goals for the race? What do you hope to get out of the day?
Find and define your 'why'. Marathon training is arduous and tiring. Excitement is fickle. Give yourself a reason to keep getting out the door. For first time marathoners I strongly suggest not making your goal time specific. There will be many opportunities to push for that precise result on the clock, but your first attempt at the distance should be more about learning than mastery. Instead of a time goal, I would target controllable objectives. A few examples I like are: feeling strong throughout the race, finishing before the cut off, fueling and hydrating effectively, pacing wisely, avoiding the wall, taking in the sights, or enjoying and soaking up the cheers from spectators. Throughout the training cycle practice these skills. In times of stress, we default to what we always do. Create good habits.
3. Determine whether you want to follow a generic training plan or find a coach who can help guide you. Whatever you do, don’t wing it!
The most important part of a training plan is your ability to adhere to it. In your search for a plan, keep your answer to question one at the forefront. If you don’t have time to run six days a week, don’t opt for a plan based around that. Some people do quite well with a book or online plan. If you have a predictable schedule and are self-motivated these options can be great. A book plan has the added benefit of explaining the linchpin around the structure as well as the purpose for each workout. This is valuable information if you need to adjust or make small tweaks.
For those with irregular schedules, or who want personalized guidance without doing a deep dive into training physiology, a coach can be a huge asset. They will leverage their knowledge to your benefit and help you avoid pitfalls or setbacks along the way. No matter which option you pick, remember marathon training is not a test you can cram for.
4. Dial in your comfort to go the distance. Determine what you need to propel and power you forward.
With your game plan outlined it’s time to shift gears to gear. There are a few must-haves for a successful marathon finish. The most important investment for a runner is shoes. These days you can find any number of brands and models designed for every type of run and every type of runner. The key is finding the best fit for you. Your comfort, tailored to your individual biomechanics, are of utmost importance. Test out a variety of options. On race day you’ll be on your feet for multiple hours. If you are having issues with new shoes after a few miles, that is not the shoe for you. Your race fueling choice should take a similar approach. Test a few options to find what agrees with you. Then train your stomach like you train your legs. The long run you’ll do each week is the perfect opportunity to practice your nutrition and refine your gear choices.
Tackling your first marathon is daunting. That challenge is the reason the race is appealing, and also the reason it should not be taken lightly. Embrace the process, proceed with intention, and implement these few integral steps outlined above. That’s how you arrive on race day prepared and confident. Your reward for finishing is a joy and satisfaction you’ll treasure for years to come.
LONDON, APRIL 23 2006
A MAJOR
MOMENT
Sometimes the greatest achievements are fuelled by the disappointments of the past.
In 2003 Deena Kastor broke the American marathon record when she finished third behind Paula Radcliffe and Katherine Ndereba in the London Marathon.
Typically it would have been a momentous moment but despite having become the fastest American of all-time, Kastor admitted a sense of unfulfilment.
“I realized that the pride of reaching my goal of breaking the American record could also sit with a feeling of discontentment,” she recalled. “It was significant in my personal growth.”
What separates the good from the great is that single-minded attitude to wanting to win every race. Breaking records is nice but winning is reserved for the best.
Three years later, Kastor ran almost the perfect race to win in 2:19:36, almost two minutes ahead of the field to back up her win in Chicago six months earlier.
“It was very special,” she said. “Not only because it was a big career win but it ranked me number one in the world. Also, breaking two hours and 20 minutes was a significant accomplishment for female marathon runners.”
MEET THE TEAM
From Global Run Club updates to race-week stories, James Finch helps bring runners closer to the action as CRM Manager at Abbott World Marathon Majors. We caught up with him to talk first marathons, London memories and the moments that make the Majors so special…
How long have you worked at Abbott World Marathon Majors?
I'm just coming up to my first year at Abbott World Marathon Majors, which is crazy to me because it feels like so much has happened in such a short space of time.
What does your role as CRM Manager involve?
To keep it brief, I oversee the email communications that go out to all of our runners. If it lands in your inbox, there’s a good chance I’ve built and written it. What’s great is I get to work closely with teams across the business, whether that’s creating Global Run Club emails or getting to write about (and experience) amazing things like the recent sub-two-hour record in London.
What’s one project you’ve worked on recently that you’re proud of?
I don't want to spill the beans too much, but there’s something in the works with the Special Programmes team that should be coming to light shortly. If you're in the Global Run Club, keep an eye out… you'll see it soon.
Are you a runner yourself?
Kind of, or at least I like to think I can be! I’ve come from a cycling background but have been dabbling more and more in the running world. I ticked off my first marathon last year and I’ve definitely started to get the itch… maybe a Major will be on the cards.
Have you worked on the ground at any of the Majors?
Yes, London 2026, and what a Major it was to work at. It’s hard to put into words how exhilarating it was being on the ground. The runners really put it all out there and you could feel the energy in the air, I basically had goosebumps all day. I think it’ll be difficult to match the atmosphere London created, but I’ll be at Berlin in September, so let’s see how that compares.
Do you have a stand-out memory from working on any of the events?
There are so many inspiring moments you witness at the end of a marathon, but getting to welcome Six Star Finishers into the tent to receive their medal is hard to beat. You get to witness and be part of such a personal moment for these runners, and seeing that mixture of emotion is pretty special.
What’s the most rewarding part of helping runners and their involvement in some of the world’s biggest marathon events?
I think it’s getting to witness the stories behind it all. You see runners put so much into these events, and everyone’s there for a different reason. Whether someone is chasing Six Stars, a PB, or taking on something they never thought they’d be capable of, there’s a lot of emotion tied up in it. Being able to play even a small part in that journey and see it all come together on event weekend is hard to beat.
How do you unwind when you’re not working?
I like to train a lot, whether that’s kickboxing, running, swimming or cycling, so that takes up a good chunk of my spare time. Other than that, I’ve got a big dog and live in a city, so a lot of my 'commuting' involves trips to the park or beach with his royal highness, although I’m not sure I’d call that unwinding. My wife and I also like to just mooch about and enjoy being outdoors.
What’s one small thing that can make a huge difference to a runner’s event experience?
I think it’s the things runners probably don’t expect to remember. A stranger shouting your name from the sidelines, a volunteer bringing energy at mile 22, or a bit of encouragement arriving at exactly the right moment. When you’ve put so much into getting to the start line, those small interactions can carry a lot of weight.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Abbott World Marathon Majors?
For me, it’s seeing how Abbott World Marathon Majors continues to evolve. There’s always something new happening, whether that’s new initiatives, experiences for runners or projects happening behind the scenes. Even in my first year, so much has happened in such a short space of time, so it feels like there’s a lot to be excited about and we’re only scratching the surface.
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