It has been a major year. With the Abbott World Marathon Majors growing from 6 to 8 (and soon 9), there are so many adventures and choices to be made. After many years, I became a 6 star finisher in 2023 and wrote “How to Become a World Marathon six star finisher”. Then on completion of New York Marathon 2023 I wrote about completing all six of the original World Marathon Majors in a year: “Abbott World Marathon Majors Slam“.
My 2026 World Marathon Majors Highlights
I would have loved to have done them all, but this year there were 8 stars on offer, and I am so happy to have picked up 6 stars. I did not take part in Boston Marathon because I do not have a current qualifying time. I also did not return to Sydney Marathon this year, as I cannot realistically afford to go every year, and I picked up my star in Sydney Marathon 2025.
So here are my 2026 highlights.
Tokyo Marathon 2026
I managed to get a ballot place to run my second Tokyo Marathon. I would love to pace, but have not been selected yet. This race stands out from the other majors. The culture, the cleanliness, the beauty is something else. I love the food and the people in Japan. It is very expensive to fly from the UK, but hotel and spending is cheaper than many others.
Because I was not pacing I just had an enjoyable run. Finishing with a sub 4, but more relaxed. I also collected my second 6 star medal. Now I need to complete both Boston and Tokyo again to collect a 3rd 6 star medal, and these are the hardest of the 6 to get entries. So, I will be back for my 3rd at some point, but I don’t know when.
London Marathon 2026
London Marathon… what can I say really. I make no secret in sharing how much this race means to me. I wanted to run London Marathon for many years before I ran my first marathon. Back in the days when I did not know about the Majors. In truth, when I grew up I didn’t come from a background with the means to travel. At the age of 18 I would not have dreamed of of travelling the world, and certainly not to run. This wasn’t something I would even consider possible. But, I saw the London Marathon every year and this was the challenge that started it all for me.
The London Marathon was my first marathon, I have ran it for charity multiple times and in total raised over £15,000 for cancer research, save the rhino and samaritans. Including dressed as a rhino and a shoe. I ran a GFA, but more importantly for me, I have enjoyed being a pacer in my home town, running through the streets I live and work.
In 2026 I ran as a 4:10 pacer, finishing in a time of 4:09:50. It was such a fantastic experience, supporting those around me to achieve PB, and ultimately have fun. London is my home, so running through the streets with such energy, and supporting people along the way is extra special.
Cape Town Marathon 2026
This year was the first year of the 8th star, “Africa’s First Major”. There was some debate online whether it counted as a major, my name on the 8 star finishers wall tells me it counts.
Realistically 2026 was destined to be the first full year as a major, but with the cancellation of Cape Town Marathon 2025, they were unable to fulfil the final checks. I commend the action taken by Abbott in ensuring that a provisional star was available for anyone taking on the 2026 event.
I cannot say enough good things about Cape Town Marathon. It certainly deserves to be up there with the best in the world. I travelled with my family, and we enjoyed the best of Africa, including a wonderful luxury safari.
I was asked to be a sub 4 pacer, and had a wonderful experience leading the #funbus. With each international experience I adapt to the requirements of the race. Some want pacers to stick together, most have a strict target of within 1 minute under goal. In Cape Town Marathon we were actively encouraged to adjust with the group and come in with a much wider range. At the end my group sped up and we finished in 3:58:51, which was perfect based on the brief (even if I do personally prefer to be closer to the mark).
Berlin Marathon 2026
I returned to Berlin Marathon for my 9th time as a sub 4 pacer. It was my 10th time in Berlin Marathon which means I joined the Jubilee Club with guaranteed entry for life from now on.
I love the simplicity of travelling to Berlin from the UK. It is a great quick weekend in Octoberfest so I always enjoy a stein and pork knuckle. It was a successful trip, one I intend on making every single year.
Chicago Marathon 2026
Chicago Marathon is always a highlight for me. I feel like it is the most underrated of the 3 Majors in USA, but when you consider the whole experience of Chicago it is one of my favourites.
I enjoy taking part in the 5k and this year was pleased with my performance. It gave me a real boost of confidence for my fitness and goals for the coming year.
It was such a huge engaged group in Chicago and we had the best time. Lots of smiles, lots of support and lots of happy PBs.
What I did not realise when I stopped my watch is that it was the exact same time that I achieved in Berlin 2 weeks earlier. This got me thinking of a personal goal for New York.
New York Marathon 2026
New York, New York. So good you say it twice. It is always a real privilege to pace New York Marathon. And so much fun. New York is such a huge city, but also so simple to navigate.
It is by far the most difficult of the majors to pace. Pacing a world marathon major is not easy, with so many people and elements to consider. But at New York, the course profile makes it more of a challenge, with the course getting more difficult from mile 15, and from mile 23 it takes work. So my role as a pacer is to be able to be calm, in control and support people to get to the finish… because if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. The crowds are some of the best in the world, and it was a block party from start to finish. I absolutely loved New York.
When I got to the finish there is a countdown from 800 metres, and I knew, despite the undulating course, I was bang on for my personal goal of 3:59:36, to make it 3 majors in a row with identical times. I made a point of letting fate decide. Whilst I aimed to keep the last 800 metres on pace, I didn’t adjust my pace drastically. And I stopped my watch a second early… only to find out with the official results that I did it.
Then there were 9 World Marathon Majors
As we enter a new era where 9 World Marathon Majors will be available, there is of course the desire and ambition to do all 9 in a year. But realistically, the challenges that were present when there were 6 have been amplified now there will soon be 9. If you could get entry to all races, which is the first hurdle, the logistics and cost to travel across the globe is out of reach for most. So, whilst I would love to do them all every year, I consider this a multi year challenge for anyone doing it. For those that like to do these events more than once, it is likely they will go into a rotation. There will always be the opportunity to enter all Majors every year, if you have the finances to do so. Charity entries and tour packages provide accessibility, if you can afford it.
When we write on social media it is a highlight reel. We highlight and share the experiences of successes, but it is important to share that it is not all straight forward. I know I am fortunate to access entries as a pacer to some terrific races, but this is not a given. I enter ballots, and charity entries like everyone and don’t always get pacer entries. Looking ahead to 2027: Tokyo Marathon (unsuccessful in ballot, not selected as a pacer), Boston Marathon (not fast enough to qualify), London Marathon (unsuccessful in ballot, applied as pacer), Cape Town Marathon (unsuccessful in ballot), Sydney Marathon (unsuccessful in ballot), Berlin Marathon (guaranteed entry through jubilee club), Chicago Marathon (guaranteed entry legacy), New York (will apply as pacer), Shanghai Marathon (fingers crossed).
What are your plans for 2027? Do you have entry for any already? What are your goals. I hope to see you out there.