The 2024 marathon season has officially come to an end, with the New York City marathon on November 3, 2024, capping a year that saw over 800 marathons worldwide. Of these, only seven are recognized as World Marathon Majors. This includes Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and the newest Sydney Marathons. These races are the most prestigious in the world, as runners from all over the world come together to race 26.2 miles to some of the most famous places on Earth. Amateur and elite athletes alike train to be able to compete in World Marathon Majors, with elite runners going for record-breaking times. If you’re dreaming of seeing the world, why not make each mile count?
Running a marathon demands both peak physical conditioning and mental resilience. Physiologically, marathoners tend to have a high VO2 max, efficient cardiovascular systems, and an increased proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers, allowing them to sustain through the long runs without significant fatigue. They also build up a heightened lactate threshold, enabling faster paces before lactate buildup occurs. Psychologically, runners use strategies like goal-setting and positive self-talk to manage fatigue, especially during the “wall” around mile 20, where glycogen depletion compromises energy stores. Overcoming this mental and physical challenge requires determination, and many experience a “runner’s high,” driven by the release of endorphins and brain chemicals that improve mood and focus. These extreme demands are met head-on in some of the world’s most iconic marathons, where athletes push their limits on challenging courses through various city landmarks.
The Tokyo Marathon is the first major event of the calendar year, taking place on the first Sunday in March. The marathon is the youngest of the World Marathon Majors, as it was first run in 2007 and achieved its status in 2012. The course guides runners from the Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku through the city, where runners catch sight of the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, the old town of Asakusa, and more. The run ends at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center.
The Boston Marathon traditionally occurs on the third Monday of April and is the oldest annual marathon in the world. It was first run in 1897 after its organizers were inspired by the marathon races at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens. This marathon is particularly challenging due to its notable elevation changes, with the infamous and difficult half-mile Heartbreak Hill portion occurring at mile 20. While this marathon used to be exclusively for men, this was amended in 1966 when Roberta Gibb completed the course in 3:21:40. Women were officially allowed to compete in 1972. The race begins at the Hopkinton State Park, where runners pass a variety of attractions, including the Ashland Clock Tower, Natick Center Cultural District, and The Forever Young Statue that commemorates 61-time Boston marathon finisher Johnny Kelley. The race ends at Copley Square.
The London Marathon is known to be one of the fastest courses in the world, as seven world records have been set there. The marathon, which was first run in 1981, was created by Chris Brasher, an Olympic gold medalist who ran the 1979 New York City Marathon. Runners have the opportunity to visit London’s best attractions, including the Cutty Sark ship, the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Tower of London while they race their way to The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. The London marathon’s first-ever race ended with a tie in the men’s race, as both Dick Beardsley (USA) and Inge Simonsen (Norway) crossed the finish line in 2:11:48.
Even faster than London is the Berlin Marathon, where a total of 12 world records have been set. This marathon is held on the last weekend in September and is a fast and flat course that starts and ends at the Brandenburg Gate. The race was first started by a local baker, Horst Milde, in 1974. Over 50,000 finishers experience the feeling of crossing the finish line, with millions of spectators and some 80 live bands cheering them on along the course.
The Chicago Marathon was established in 1977 and has grown rapidly in participation since its inaugural year. The first race hosted 4,200 runners, but today, the race boasts closer to 40,000 runners of all skill sets. The course takes runners through the “Windy City” to complete a course that begins and finishes at Grant Park. Runners have the opportunity to pass three well-known stadiums: Wrigley Field, United Centre, and Guaranteed Rate Field.
The New York City marathon is the biggest marathon in the world. While the race had a humble 127 runners during its first occurrence in 1970, today, over 50,000 racers start the race. In 1976, the course was adapted to have runners travel through all five boroughs of the city, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park. The racers cross five bridges and work through steep hills, all while passing iconic destinations.
The newest major marathon is the Sydney Marathon, which will take place on August 31, 2025, is the largest marathon in Oceania. It has just become the newest World Marathon Major after passing its second consecutive assessment.
Even in an Olympic Year, this year’s majors saw elites from around the world show up to compete. The best marathon performance of the year, and in women’s marathon history, came from Ruth Chepngetich, who destroyed the women’s world record with a 2:09:56 time at the Chicago Marathon. Just two months before, Chepngetich did not make the Kenyan Olympic marathon team.
Michael Wang, a longtime friend and mentor of the author, has run the 2018 NYC marathon, the 2022 and 2024 Chicago Marathons, and the 2024 Berlin marathon. Wang notes that, to him, the races signify strength in oneself and community. He writes, “Believe in yourself, your first marathon doesn’t need to be perfect so don’t stress trying to shoot for an ambitious finish time, just enjoy the race!”
Alexander Stanczak and Jacob Lopez, both 4/5 Stevens students, just completed the 2024 Chicago Marathon in October and plan on running in the 2026 New York City Marathon together. Stanczak writes, “Do not go into the journey expecting everything will go smoothly. There will be runs that are tough, making you question why you are doing it, but there are also runs that are incredible and will make you feel like you are on top of the world.” Like Wang, he notes that race day is about support and finding an uplifting community.
“Everyone has a different reason for being here, but we run together in a celebration of our shared humanity and for many charitable causes. At the end of the day, everyone has won,” Wang remarks.
