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World’s Top Marathons

One of the best things about spring is the launch of marathon season.

We get to see people of all abilities around the world who’ve been training for months, to run some of the best routes.

You may already be lucky enough to be preparing to run one of these already, or you may even be thinking of which marathon you’d like to do next (or first).

Don’t forget, if you are planning to run a marathon, you want to make sure you have the best shoes for the run. While training, the Glycerin collection is ideal and can even take you to race day if you need.

Our Hyperion collection will also see you through on race day. Styles, such as the Hyperion Max or Elite, are ultra lightweight to help you pick up speed and push your performance, no matter the course.

What is a major marathon?

There are 7 majors across the world, and each has its own prestige. A major marathon tends to be high profile and brings both elite and first-time marathon runners to the race. The term was coined in 2006 when Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City united, then adding Tokyo and Sydney in the following years. Combined, they are now referred to as the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and it is quite the feat to run all of them. If you finish Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York, you also get an additional Six Star Finisher Medal right after your 6th Major.

How to enter a marathon:

There is a ballot of entry for most of the marathons on this list, apart from Boston. Boston is a slightly different story and more competitive, as you enter by running a standard qualifying time, depending on age and gender, which changes every year. And even if you get this, it’s not a guaranteed slot. You can also run marathons on behalf of a charity, which often have runner slots. Our list below shows the major 7 marathons and gives more information on each, so you know what to expect.

Spring marathons

Tokyo Marathon:

The Tokyo Marathon is often the first major of the year and highly competitive to get into. It runs generally flat throughout, so it is a fast marathon, especially with its downhill start. More uniquely, as it goes through Tokyo, you run back on yourself a few times over the course of the race, before finishing up ahead of Tokyo Station.

“From the moment I stood at the Tokyo Marathon starting line, I felt the special atmosphere that makes this city so unique. Every mile brought something new, something unforgettable."

Deveny Agterberg (Brooks Running Collective Benelux)

Boston Marathon:

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest marathon and a tough one to get into as you need to run a specific qualifying time to get in, instead of going through a ballot. Because of this and the high entry criteria, the Boston Marathon is well known for attracting people to run for charities. It is one of the hillier marathons, with a particular incline at ‘Heartbreak Hill’ after 20 miles, so times can often be slower than some of the flatter marathons.

“I trained really hard to get the qualification time for the Boston Marathon and I had such a feeling of belonging at the start. All miles in the race felt like a party, basically everyone in Boston is cheering you on.”

Karlijn Stalenhoef (Manager, Web Content and SEO, EMEA)

London Marathon:

Potentially one of the best known and biggest marathons in the majors, the London Marathon is also known for raising the most for charity in a single day. The route sees you run past some of the most iconic landmarks. Again, as it is a pretty flat route, the London Marathon brings out both elite and amateur runners. London also brings out a lot of crowds watching and cheering for runners, and this social aspect can help with motivation for runners.

“London Marathon is my favourite race because it is a 26 mile long party with an absolutely amazing mood on the London Tower Bridge where hundreds of thousands of spectators are often lined up in 5 rows and make a lot of noise.”

Lukas Hinterhölzl (Brooks Tech Rep. Austria)

Sydney Marathon:

The newest one on the list, with 2025 being the first year the Sydney Marathon was a major. It contains a fair amount of rolling hills and one particularly steep incline, with the highest elevation gain on this list. But it is so worth it for a beautiful route, going across Sydney Harbour Bridge and a spectacular finish in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Fall marathons

Berlin Marathon:

Berlin is generally considered a fast and flat race, often competing with Chicago for where world records are set. The race takes you across the iconic city, starting and finishing at the Brandenburg Gate. Over the years, 13 world records have been set here, and comfortable weather conditions also make it popular for those after PBs.

“In 2025, I saw a dream like New York take shape and a confirmation: the Berlin Marathon, a wonderful race. A place where you really feel that anything is possible, where you hear languages from all over the world, and this globality makes the marathon even more special. And Brooks' Hyperion House... a huge added value!”

Diego Saltalamacchia (Brooks Running Collective Italy)

Chicago Marathon:

The Chicago Marathon is also largely flat, meaning it’s where runners go to keep fast and chase personal bests. In fact, the Chicago Marathon is home to many world records as well, including both women’s and men’s world records. It’s a nice loop from and back to Grant Park, taking you through downtown Chicago, without any notable hills.

This autumn I ran my first Chicago Marathon for Gilda’s Club. The course is super flat yet incredibly scenic, making the race more enjoyable, but still every bit as painful. The city I grew up near became a roaring arena of passion and community, fuelling every stride. It was a race I will never forget.

Maddie Studnicka (Corporate Events Planner)

New York Marathon:

Alongside London, the New York Marathon is one of the best known and also the biggest, bringing in over a million spectators across the route. Due to the popularity, it’s also one of the hardest marathons to get into. It’s a great course, that sees you go through some of New York's most famous neighbourhoods, before finishing off in Manhattan’s Central Park. Despite being hilly at times, making it a fairly difficult race, it’s a marathon that has seen many celebrities run it, from Ryan Reynolds to Katie Holmes and Alicia Keys.

“My 10th New York Marathon: I have crossed its bridges ten times, but each time it is New York that crosses me, reminding me who I am, how far I have come and how much strength I carry in my heart. And today, with 200 marathons in my heart, I feel that every step tells the story of the woman I have become.”

Mariella Dileo (Brooks Running Collective Italy)

New addition: Cape Town: May 23 2027

As of June 2026, Cape Town was added as the 8th Major marathon, and it looks like it’s debut into the majors won’t be one to be missed. Rather than stop at just a marathon, Cape Town will be hosting a range of running events the whole weekend, from a 5k and 10k to a trail marathon. The main course is set to be one not to miss either. It is a relatively flat course that takes you on a single loop route with a view of the Atlantic before the finish line.

Notable mentions

The majors are currently at 8 races, with the aim to eventually have 9 races in the final tally. While confirmation on the final one is still to be decided, it looks like Shanghai will be added to the list in the coming years.

What are the SuperHalfs?

The SuperHalfs follow the same prestige as the majors, but as half marathons. There are six half marathons under this belt, all within European cities: Lisbon, Prague, Valencia, Berlin, Copenhagen and Cardiff, each providing a unique challenge and atmosphere. These are aimed at more everyday runners, with a 7th SuperMedal medal when you complete them all. If you are planning on taking part in the SuperHalfs, don’t forget to get a SuperPassport to get stamped after each race.

As you can see, running any of these is such an achievement, so whether you’re running or spectating, you’re in for a treat. Find more about marathon preparation with our marathon guide.