GLOBAL RUNNING COMMUNITY: ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS

GLOBAL RUNNING COMMUNITY: ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS

Since 2006, The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has been part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with the Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon, and since 2013, the Tokyo Marathon. While typically the races are spread through the spring and fall, 2021 will be a race calendar unlike any other with all six occurring within six weeks in the fall.

ABOUT THE MAJORS

Encompassing an annual series for elite runners and elite wheelchair athletes, Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) also applauds the achievements and passion of everyday champions from around the world. The AbbottWMM Six Star System is an online results hub that celebrates every runner who has completed from one to six of the races in the series and encourages them to reach for the stars. AbbottWMM has also launched the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings in 2018, the first ever global age group marathon ranking system. The inaugural AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championship takes place as part of the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon. While there are specific requirements for a race to be part of the AbbottWMM, each of the six races provides a unique experience to participants, ensuring the Six Star journey is exciting and challenging.

SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

BMW Berlin Marathon

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

Virgin Money London Marathon

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

Bank of America Chicago Marathon

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

Boston Marathon

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17

Tokyo Marathon

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7

TCS New York City Marathon

TOKYO MARATHON:

Organized by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation, the inaugural Tokyo Marathon was held on February 18, 2007. Through its theme, “The Day We Unite”, the Tokyo Marathon has gathered together runners, volunteers and spectators every year. Since the event's 10th anniversary in 2016, the official race logo has been renewed to represent the portrayed images of the runners, volunteers and cheering crowds along the course, which signifies the race theme “The Day We Unite.”

BOSTON MARATHON:

Inspired by their experience at the 1896 Olympic Games, several members of the Boston Athletic Association

GLOBAL RUN CLUB

The Abbott World Marathon Majors Global Run Club is a virtual community for marathon runners with free-to-join challenges for every level of runner, anywhere in the world. The Club was created during 2020, to keep runners connected and motivated when racing as we knew it was not possible for many. Members have exclusive access to training tips and advice from industry experts. Join the Global Run Club by visiting worldmarathonmajors.com/ global-run-club.

founded their own marathon in 1897. The race has been run every year since (though the 1918 edition featured a military relay and 2020 featured a Virtual Experience) and is recognized as the world’s oldest annual marathon.

VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON:

The first London Marathon was held on March 29, 1981. More than 20,000 people wanted to run; 7,747 were accepted. The 1982 race received more than 90,000 applicants from around the world. The entry was limited to 18,059. Since then, the Virgin Money London Marathon has grown to more than 39,000 starters and finishers and is viewed in more than 196 countries worldwide and watched by between four and five million viewers in the UK.

BMW BERLINMARATHON:

A group of runners from one of Germany’s most prestigious athletics clubs, SC Charlottenburg, organized the first BERLIN-MARATHON in 1974. It was not until 1981 that the race moved from the Grunewald (a big forest) into the city center of West Berlin. Supported by the three western allied forces (Britain, France and USA) it quickly developed into Germany’s biggest and best quality marathon.

BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON:

In 1976, a small band of running enthusiasts met at the Metropolitan YMCA on LaSalle Street to discuss and plan a marathon in Chicago. This founding group realized their vision on September 25, 1977, when they hosted 4,200 local participants in the first Chicago Marathon. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has since expanded to more than 45,000 finishers and an estimated 1.7 million on-course spectators. The flat and fast course begins and ends in historic Grant Park, sweeping through 29 diverse and colorful neighborhoods.

TCS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON:

The TCS New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners (NYRR) and the largest marathon in the world. More than 1.2 million people have finished the race since its first running in 1970 with just 127 entrants and 55 finishers running four laps around Central Park. The race expanded to all five boroughs in 1976 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021.