When I wrote my original blog: How to Become a World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher, the world felt big, but the Abbott World Marathon Majors felt familiar. Six cities. Six stories. Six finish lines that shaped my identity as a runner. My journey began in 2011 after finally getting on the start line for London Marathon, after many years of trying. But as running becomes more and more popular around the world, with a greater interest in travel and marathon running, it is natural that the World Marathon Majors evolves.
Sydney joined the World Marathon Majors in 2025, and I was pleased to run (and pace) Sydney Marathon 2025. Cape Town followed, becoming the first African Major in 2026, and I was so happy to be on the start line for Cape Town Marathon 2026. With Shanghai on the horizon, the World Marathon Majors are expanding into a truly global family of races.
Along the journey I have been fortunate enough to become an eight start World Marathon Majors finisher, and appear on the first eight stars wall of fame at Sydney Marathon 2026. I would have loved to have been at Sydney this year running again, but the truth is, this running around the world is not cheap, and not something I can personally afford to do every time. It is a fine balance, one we each have to manage. A balance between the training to prepare, the ability to get a bib to start, then affordability to get to the start line. How many start lines have you got to?
From six stars to eight
My Six Star journey was built on persistence and patience. It was many years before I got to start in London Marathon 2011, after eventually running for charity. Each start line was not straightforward and it took over a decade to complete.
Tokyo Marathon became one of the most difficult for me to get entry, after years of trying. It actually became the place where I collected my six star medal, despite originally thinking this would have been in Boston. But covid delays to my Tokyo Marathon 2020 place, meant I picked up my six star medal in 2023 after completing Boston Marathon in 2022.
Boston Marathon demanded grit. With all my pacing around the world, I was not in Boston Qualifier shape. But I used the time during covid with no events to focus on progress, and qualified for 2022.
That final Six Star medal felt like closing a chapter I’d been writing for more than a decade. But then the world opened again. Sydney and Cape Town brought a new goal, and more opportunities. The thing I love most about the World Marathon Majors is the wonderful cultures and experiences. Crossing those finish lines didn’t feel like adding stars. It felt like adding stories.
I’ve always said my joy in running doesn’t come from chasing my own PBs, it comes from helping others find theirs. Pacing has taken me across continents, through cultures, and into thousands of runners’ stories. I’ve paced more than 140 events since 2013, and every finish line reminds me why I love this sport, I love the running community.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors embody that community spirit. They bring people together from every corner of the world. They challenge you, humble you, and lift you. These collection of events provide a reason to keep going when training gets hard, and something to look forward to.
Your Journey Starts Now
As the World Marathon Majors expands to eight, and soon nine, it isn’t about the medals, it is about the Journey for runners EVERYWHERE.
So what is your story? Where are you on your journey, or are you ready to start now? There is no time limit. No required pace, and no path will be the same. Just your own personal journey.
Whether you’re chasing your first marathon or planning your next Major, remember:
- Start with your why… remembering why will keep you going when it gets tough
- Enjoy the journey, don’t put pressure on yourself
- Celebrate every experience
- No matter how long it takes, keep pushing on to the next adventure
- Control the controllable, don’t worry about things out of your control
What is next for you? Now Shanghai Marathon is a candidate race, this features high on my radar. I look forward to collecting my nine Star medal, and I hope to see many of you on the journey. But even then, this isn’t the end of the journey, it’s only the beginning.