A Major Goal
For marathon runners, the winter represents a difficult period of training and conditioning. Most of us indulged over Christmas, and since New Year’s Day, the weather has got worse. It’s colder, wetter, more slippery, it’s dark in the mornings, and the first two months of our training block are very tough. It requires some mental strength and stubbornness. You must be committed. You’ll need these qualities again when you come to run the big race in a few months’ time. By the time you get to March, the half marathon bibs start dropping through the door like welcome little Greetings cards, the sun shines a little more and you feel a lot fitter. You run some tune up races and haul yourself through the most difficult period of training, the big miles, the big runs - all on tired legs. In April you’ll taper it back and get ready for that all-important day. Running a big city race like London, Paris or New York really is the icing on the cake of all that preparation, and when you cross that finish line, it’s not just the 26.2 miles, it’s the last 4 months of work you did to get yourself there. It’s emotional but there is nothing quite like finishing a marathon.
Having completed the Majors myself back in 2017, it’s clear to me that this is a growing phenomenon. People are not satisfied to just run the odd marathon. More and more people now wish to travel around the world and run other cities. I call it “marathon tourism”. They want to run Comrades, Marathon des Sables, The Seven Continents, Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc, The Great Wall of China, and a lot of them want to run all the “Majors” and receive the shiny Six Star Medal with the blue ribbon, and get their name on the Wall of Fame. For some runners this can be quite a tough journey, for most runners it will be quite an expensive journey! Not everyone is bothered about medals, not everyone is bothered about the finish time. Everyone has a different reason for why. It’s no easy feat and requires some tenacity if you are serious about it. At the very minimum, you’ll have to complete 6 marathons which is a big enough challenge!
The “Abbott World Marathon Majors” as they are currently called, are made up of London, Berlin, New York, Boston, Chicago and Tokyo. It started off as an unofficial group in the 80s, the Majors/Slams, proclaimed by pundits and Elites alike as the most desirable races to run due to the course profiles, prestige and the atmosphere, were London and the 3 U.S based Marathons. Berlin was hailed as the “fifth major” soon after, due to the fast course and strong field, and after a while they banded together as WorldMarathonMajors.com and created the brand and the challenge - for regular runners to become a Five Star Finisher. Upon completion you would receive a Certificate and your name printed on their website as part of a select group of a few hundred athletes from around the world who had managed to complete the set. Two of our members Simon Hazel and Nelson Wandasiewicz achieved the 5* Status before Tokyo, the 6th Major, was added to the series in 2013. This is a relatively young race (2006) compared to the other 5 that have been around for around 40 years, but the Japanese have a pedigree for distance running and Tokyo offers a lightening fast course and a passionate atmosphere. Five Stars became Six Stars and the series got a new sponsor. Abbott (a global healthcare corporation). They freshened up the brand and introduced the Medal and it really took off. To date there are 4,260 Medalists worldwide, and that number increases by a couple of hundred at every race. It is getting more and more popular as marathon tourism and endurance sports gain more popularity.
The Majors really are the flagship races. They feel special, and people pour in from all over the world to be a part of them. To run all 6 is a challenge that I personally recommend. Of course, you can go and knock out 6 x 26.2 miles anywhere if you want, but it’s not the same. When I first ran London in 2010 I was a 15 stone 5 hour+ runner and hobbled the last 10 miles. It was amazing, but I was never going back. Then, 3 years later I was back in the hunt and looking and feeling a bit fitter. My target became Boston 2015, which I qualified for at Berlin in 2013, and once I had run that, I decided to try the other races in the series. I got lucky in the Tokyo Ballot and time qualified for NYC and Chicago. Completing the 6 was a very special feeling, it’s not like running your fastest ever race or having a great performance. It’s not necessarily about being a competitive runner, although you may have to turn in a some very good performances to gain qualification to a Major. You feel inspired, you make the journey, you ran the courses that all the greats have run. You get the chance to walk in the footsteps of your heroes. When I finished Chicago 2017, I was fortunate to have hospitality access straight after the race and managed to meet Race winners Galen Rupp, Marcel Hug and Tatyana McFadden. They could see me wearing the medal and took the time to talk to me after they received their trophies. McFadden said she still needed Berlin to complete the 6, Hug mentioned that he already had his medal and Rupp kindly pointed me out in his speech. There are many obstacles to cover on this journey. It could take 10 years or longer to complete. It will impact your personal life and finances. You’ll have to plan things, sometimes you may be injured but you only get one chance to run a certain race and you have to take it. Once I got my hands on the medal I wasn’t sure what to do after. I knew that I really enjoyed taking part, so I decided to repeat some. I’m back in Boston this year and looking forward to seeing a good friend of mine at his first Boston and collecting his 6*Medal. I’ll celebrate with him after for sure.
Heathide legend Sara Black, is now just a few weeks away from collecting her medal as she prepares for Tokyo off the back of an excellent 2018. This inspirational lady seems to go from strength to strength. She PB’d in Berlin last year for WMM number 4, and, not content to sit back and rest, headed over to Chicago a couple of weeks later for number 5 and ran close to PB pace again for another remarkable performance, And, to cap it all, eventual winner and 4 x Olympic Champion Mo Farah, was lucky enough to get his photo taken with our champ Sara! Her 2019 preparation seems to be going OK as she turned in a solid 90 minute tune up half marathon at the Olympic Park last weekend. Probably one more long training run Sara, and then you can start tapering. Will she relax afterwards? I doubt that. I know she’s in for Boston and I hope to see her at the pub post race! Also, I’d have money on her putting on the glorious vest for the "Spring Marathon Hat trick” and running London again, and she’ll run her heart out at all 3 for sure. Good luck Sara, we look forward to seeing pictures of you all over social media lording it with the medal!
Here’s a brief guide to each race.
Tokyo Marathon - Early March. Entry Fee equivalent to around £100. It’s almost as hard to get into as London. They do have a qualifying standard which is comparable to London Championship Qualifying, and a guaranteed charity option where you pay around $1000 up front and that includes the entry. The rest is by general ballot. The course is flat and lightening fast with a series of out and backs that form a kind of cross on the course map. The city is a huge concrete jungle, very densely populated with many crowds and an appetite for the race. Make sure you plan your transport arrangements thoroughly as the train system is very confusing. It’s advisable to try and stay in the Shinjuku area so that the start is walkable. As the newest race to the series, it is a little behind the other 5. They are still tweaking the course and start/finish arrangements. The race capacity as around 38,000. Race Start 9am. My ratings: Organization 6/10, Atmosphere 7/10, Course (PB) 8.5/10. Top Tip - arrive at least 5 days in advance to adjust to local time.
Boston Marathon - Mid April. Entry Fee $250. Entry is 80% time qualifying comparable to London GFA standards. There are some charity options available, but the pledge is very high starting at around $5000. The course is point to point, undulating and downhill net starting inland in the town of Hopkinton and heading East to Boston through various towns. The course drops a lot in the first 10 miles and the uphill comes around 16 miles at Newton Fire Station and lasts for about 5 miles. The final 5 drops down into the City as you make your way to the famous finish on Boylston St, made infamous by the bombing in 2013. This is an emotional race. The City gets behind the race on marathon weekend, they love their sport. The race is on Patriots Day (3rd Monday in April) It is the oldest marathon and considered by many to be the Holy Grail of marathons. There is special atmosphere amongst the runners. You get a sense that you have all come a long way to reach the start line of this race. In the right conditions, I believe this is a fast course - as long as you pace it right. The weather can really affect it though. 2018 was freezing ice cold blustery rain, 2017 was very hot. The capacity is around 30,000. Race Start 10.30am (first wave) My ratings: Organization 9/10, Atmosphere 9/10, Course (PB) 8.5/10. Top Tip - Stay in the Back Bay area, it’s close to the shuttle buses at Boston Common, the finish at Boylston, and the Expo - which is very good and you may want to visit more than once as it really is the best Expo of the 6.
Virgin Money London Marathon - Late April - In the UK, most marathon runners run it as their first ever marathon. The experience of your first, can be quite harrowing but also quite amazing and it can really leave its mark. London raises the bar to the very highest level with this race. It is simply the best. Within our club, we have a very good standard and most of our members have run it already, or they will at some point, when they are ready to tackle the distance. Most of us will achieve the place in the race by qualifying in Good for Age or Championship times, some will be selected through the club ballot, and the odd very lucky person may get a place in the General ballot. A lot of people go down the Charity route. The fundraising commitment is usually quite high at around £2000 minimum raise, but the charity element of the race is what helps make it so special. The atmosphere generated by the charity runners - their supporters and the charities themselves makes it such a rowdy experience and it will produce the single biggest fundraising event in the world, coming in at £50million+ and that figure is rising every year with over ONE BILLION raised since the first race in 1981. With about 45,000 places, 20,000 are charity, 17,000 are ballot places, 6000 are GFA places (figures are approximate) it is very hard to get into - the hardest actually, and overseas based runners who are trying to complete the Majors, will always gripe about that! Start time is around 10.10am. My ratings: Organization 10/10, Atmosphere 10/10, Course (PB) 9/10. Top Tip - be patient, especially early on when it feels really congested. When the course opens up, move up through the gears gradually.
BMW Berlin Marathon - Late September - In 2018 the world record was broken here in an astonishing 2:01:39. This really is the fastest marathon no doubt. In places perhaps slightly dull to look at, but when the legs start to tire, the gradual downhills on the endless long straight avenues help you maintain that all important goal pace. Entry Fee equivalent to around £100. They have a qualifying standard which is comparable to London Championship Qualifying, The finish at Brandenburg Gate is Iconic. Berlin is a very accessible city, with 2 well located airports. The public transport is cheap and easy to use. In my view Berlin is the most affordable city of the Majors and they do excellent beer. There are plenty of hotels. The Start/Finish area is very central so it’s advisable to stay within 1-2 miles so you can walk to/from. The trains are reliable, but the stations are quite old and so a lot of stairs need to be tackled which you might not fancy with 26.2 miles in the legs! The Expo is a bit tired and tatty and could be held at a better venue with better organization - but it does what it says on the tin. My ratings: Organization 7/10, Atmosphere 7/10, Course (PB) 10/10. Top Tip - The water stations are a quite chaotic so be careful you don’t get tripped, or trip anyone up.
Bank of America Chicago Marathon - Early/Mid October. Entry is around $220. There is qualifying comparable to GFA, and a general ballot. A well-established race with excellent organization and a very fast course. It starts and finishes at the centrally located Grant Park meaning there is no need to shuttle all the Runners’ baggage around. There are plenty of hotels close by, within walking distance, but make you sure you book early as the prices are high. The route heads North out of the park through the city and weaves its way around the 29 boroughs. The atmosphere all the way round is good. There is the odd quiet patch and the finish is not especially memorable, although it was for me as I was finishing my 6 Star journey there in 2017, so as I crossed the line at the right finish funnel, I was greeted by the World Marathon Majors cheer team who made to feel very special as they draped the Medal around my neck. The capacity is 45,000. My ratings: Organization 9/10, Atmosphere 8/10, Course (PB) 9/10. Top Tip - This race starts earlier than any other marathon I have been to - 7.30am. Don’t stay up late the night before, and don’t bother trying to adjust to local time. Your UK body clock should have you up around 4.30am which is just about perfect.
TCS New York City Marathon - Early November. Entry $350 (for Internationals). There is some tricky time qualifying with Half and Full Marathon Times, but it is achievable. There is also a “Lottery” with a 6/1 shot at being successful. This really is a race that is comparable to London for atmosphere. It’s a huge operation with about 57,000 finishers, making it the largest full marathon in the world. The courses starts on Staten Island and works its way through the Five Boroughs reaching Manhattan and finishing in Central Park. It is the most challenging course of the 6 with approx. 3 miles of the course on Bridges. It undulates but doesn’t really give that much back on the downhill. It seems to take more out of your legs on the gradual uphills. The start is split into 3 colours (like London) and they like to have you out there early and in your starting pens promptly. The shuttling to the start is well-organized offering options from South Ferry, Midtown and New Jersey. I’ve done two of those and they both worked well. There is a lot of waiting around but they put on free hot drinks and foods and give you blankets and hats to help you keep warm. Best to take some throwaway clothes with you. As with all the USA marathons the baggage rules are very tight so please check the websites for details. If anything, try to stay near the finish within walking distance. My ratings: Organization 9.5/10, Atmosphere 10/10, Course (PB) 7/10. Top Tip - One word, Poncho!
As many runners all around the world strive to complete this challenge, the owners and organisers are now looking at expanding the series as they try to reach the other continents that do not feature a major race. The likes of Cape Town, Beijing, Gold Coast are some of the names being touted as potential candidates on the rumour-mill, but the current favourite to land as the Seventh Major is Singapore (which happens to be the location of the Owners' head office!). The race in early December is undergoing a period of review for a few years. The tropical climate does not help it's cause and they are considering changing it to a night race for this reason. Word on the street, according to some of my sources, is they are still a long way from reaching a decision. It sounds like they are looking to expand it to 9 races gradually over a period of some years.
With Simon and Nelson on 5 stars, we also have Richard Peachment and Henry Hamilton-Gould also looking to get into Tokyo soon and pick up that elusive number 6. With Francois Barou at 4/6 and many other Heathsiders on 2/6 and 3/6, plus many of our members who regularly go abroad for races, the likes of Leigh James, Rebecca Bunting, Phil Hogg to name a few, we’re getting more and more into the idea of jetting off to faraway lands to run the big races. Not just the Majors, there’s a whole world of countries and cities out there to be experienced, so why not spread your wings.
Some might read about the majors and think its overpriced and is a bit of marketing tool. There may well be some truth to it. So what? If it inspires you to get out and run and see the world, then it’s a positive thing. Some people might read this and feel inspired to run a marathon, others might feel inspired to run multiple marathons in a short space of time. Some of our coaches may point out that it is not necessarily good for your health, and they’d be right. You need to be sensible and cautious when taking on multiple marathons. You have to accept that they will not all be your “A” race, the more you do close together, you will sacrifice some race day performance. You must also be very careful with injury risk. Recovery after a long race is important. Some people are more injury prone than others so don’t try to copy what someone else does, you need to do right by your own body. Some are able to tolerate a higher volume of training or recover from races and hard sessions more quickly. Find the right training that works for you.
If you have any questions about running the majors/overseas marathons, there is a lot of info to found on the interweb, the official race websites, Runnersworld etc. You can also join me on most Sunday 9am runs for a chat about it or write to me at lheathside@gmail.com