World Marathon Majors Guide for Taiwan Runners

Tokyo 2027 charity entry starts on June 24, 2026. Chicago 2026 charity and tour-operator routes remain worth checking. London, Berlin, and NYC general lotteries are closed.

How to choose an entry route

General ballot / lotteryTokyo, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York all use or have used non-guaranteed public entry routes. The key is knowing the season early, not waiting until travel partners are ready.

Time qualifierBoston is the core qualifier-driven race. Chicago, New York, and Sydney also have performance routes, but rules and capacity vary by race.

CharityLondon, Chicago, New York, Sydney, Berlin, and Tokyo may all have charity paths. Confirm fundraising minimums, payment responsibility, and whether the charity can support overseas runners.

Official tour operatorUseful for reducing lottery risk, but verify official approval, whether the package includes entry, and cancellation/refund terms.

AbbottWMM Race DrawsNot a beginner route. Race Draws usually require existing stars; Tokyo and Boston require higher star counts. Draws happen through the Runner Portal.

Local guaranteed pathsRoutes such as NYRR 9+1 or London Good For Age are useful to understand, but they are usually not the primary plan for Taiwan-based runners.

Taiwan-runner planning checklist

Convert every deadline to Taiwan time. US and Europe deadlines can land on a different Taiwan date.
Keep passport name, race-entry name, AbbottWMM Runner Portal profile, and race-account details consistent.
Book refundable lodging early, then adjust after lottery results. Tokyo, London, Berlin, and New York race-week hotels can move quickly.
For Boston, separate qualifying from acceptance. Course certification and net elevation drop matter.
For charity or tour-operator entry, check refund rules, transfer rules, cancellation terms, fundraising minimums, and whether lodging is included.

Which Major should come first?

First overseas MajorTokyo or Sydney. Flight time, time-zone shift, and cultural adjustment are lower.

PB targetBerlin, Chicago, Tokyo, or London. Avoid bridge-heavy or hillier profiles first.

Performance routeBoston is the core goal. Chicago, NYC, and Sydney can supplement that plan, but their rules are more fragmented.

City experienceNew York, London, and Boston. Crowd energy and city identity are the main draw.

Six Star -> Seven Majors -> Nine Star

World Marathon Majors currently has seven races. Sydney became the seventh Major in 2025.

Note: Although Sydney Marathon is officially the seventh Major, it is not counted toward the original Six Star Medal. There is no Seven Star Medal; earning the Six Star Medal still requires completing only the original six Major marathons.

The original six Major marathons are Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.

Shanghai Marathon and Cape Town Marathon are candidate races. If they pass the evaluation path, WMM plans to use a Nine Star Medal as the next milestone.

Race detail cards

Tokyo Marathon

東馬

A fast big-city road marathon with very low travel friction from Taiwan. The one-hour time difference makes it the easiest Major for many Taiwan runners to plan.

Race dateMarch 7, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusThe 2027 race date is published. Charity entry starts on June 24, 2026; ONE TOKYO GLOBAL and Semi-Elite entry start on July 31, 2026; general entry runs from August 14 to August 28, 2026. The official 2027 charity announcement lists 41 charity programs, with charity runners needing at least 100,000 yen or the charity-specific minimum and selection by each charity's method.

Key timing

Donation & Charity Runner Entry: June 24, 2026 to July 9, 2026 (JST); Status: Upcoming; The official 2027 announcement lists 41 charity programs. Charity runners need at least 100,000 yen, or the amount set by the selected charity organization, and are selected by each charity's method. Donation-only support starts from 1,000 yen, and the announcement notes donations may continue until August 31, 2026.
RUN as ONE - Tokyo Marathon 2027 / Semi-Elite: July 31, 2026 to August 13, 2026 (JST); Status: Upcoming; Overseas semi-elite applicants should prepare official result proof. Unselected runners may still move into later general-entry processes, subject to the 2027 guidelines.
ONE TOKYO GLOBAL Member Entry: July 31, 2026 to August 13, 2026 (JST); Status: Upcoming; Overseas runners can evaluate ONE TOKYO GLOBAL, but anyone relying on the general lottery should not miss the general entry window.
General Entry: August 14, 2026 to August 28, 2026 (JST); Status: Upcoming; General entry is not first-come, first-served. If applications exceed capacity, the race uses a lottery.

Cutoff / finish rules

The 2026 official guideline listed a marathon cutoff of 7 hours; 2027 details should be rechecked after publication.
Tokyo runner check-in is usually handled at the pre-race expo, so do not plan to arrive only the night before the race.

Taiwan-runner notes

This is the easiest Major for many Taiwan runners to try first: short flight, low time-zone shift, and familiar food and travel context.
Use the PaoBaoDao Japan race page alongside this guide for general Tokyo Marathon race context; this page focuses on WMM entry routes and Taiwan-runner planning.
Passport name, race-entry name, ONE TOKYO / My Entry details, and payment identity should match before lottery results and bib pickup.
If considering charity entry, read RUN with HEART and the individual charity pages before June 24; Tokyo charity entry is not a single fixed-price route and may depend on each charity's rules, capacity, and application review.

Chinese WMM race page

Boston Marathon

波馬

A point-to-point classic with downhills and Heartbreak Hill. Boston is primarily a qualifier-driven Major, not a general lottery race.

Race dateApril 19, 2027 (Monday)
Current statusB.A.A. has announced that the 2027 Boston Marathon qualifying window began on September 13, 2025 and runs until Registration Week in September 2026. Exact registration dates are still pending.

Key timing

2027 Boston Marathon qualifying window: from September 13, 2025 (ET); Status: Open; The qualifying window runs until Registration Week in September 2026. Exact Registration Week dates have not yet been announced.
2027 Registration Week: according to official capacity and announcements (ET); Status: Not announced; A qualifying time only makes a runner eligible to apply. If demand exceeds capacity, acceptance depends on how far under the standard the result is.

Cutoff / finish rules

The B.A.A. timing page says the finish line closes at 5:30 PM, roughly six hours after the final starter crosses the start line.
For 2026, applicants needed to be 4:34 faster than their BQ standard to be accepted. Starting in 2027, some net-downhill qualifying races over 457.2m will have time adjustments.

Taiwan-runner notes

For Taiwan runners targeting Boston, the first job is choosing a certified qualifier that will not create course-drop or certification problems.
Separate qualifying, being eligible to apply, and being accepted. A result exactly at the BQ standard can still miss the cutoff.
Eastern Time deadlines often cross into the next day in Taiwan. Do not wait until the final Registration Week day to submit.

Chinese WMM race page

London Marathon

倫馬

Flat, crowded, and charity-heavy. The ballot is highly competitive, so charity places are a common backup route.

Race dateApril 25, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusThe 2027 public ballot is closed. The race says results are expected in early July 2026.

Key timing

2027 London Marathon ballot: Status: Closed; The race describes the ballot as completely random. Results are expected in early July 2026.
Charity places: according to official capacity and announcements (UK); Status: Check charities; London has a mature charity-place ecosystem, but each charity sets its own fundraising minimums, payment responsibilities, and overseas-runner rules.

Cutoff / finish rules

The official FAQ states an 8-hour marathon completion time. Runners behind that pace may need to move to the sidewalk for safety.
Official pacers may extend to around 7:30, which helps slower finishers assess the race, but the current Participant Guide remains authoritative.

Taiwan-runner notes

The London ballot is closed, so current planning should focus on charity, official tour operators, or the next ballot cycle.
UK deadlines should be converted to Taiwan time and finished a day early where possible.
For charity entry, treat the minimum fundraising amount as a real commitment, not an optional donation.

Chinese WMM race page

Sydney Marathon

雪梨馬

Starts in North Sydney, crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and finishes at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. The time-zone and flight burden are relatively friendly for Taiwan runners.

Race dateAugust 30, 2026 (Sunday)
Current statusThe 2026 ballot is closed. The official site still points runners to charity places and official travel partner packages.

Key timing

2026 Sydney Marathon ballot: Status: Closed; The official page says the 2026 ballot is closed. Unsuccessful or late applicants should check charity, travel partner, and other official routes.
High Performance Program: according to official capacity and announcements (AEDT); Status: Closed; The official site lists 2026 HPP standards. Applicants compete by fastest result, and unsuccessful applicants remain in the general ballot.
Charity / Official Travel Partners: according to official capacity and announcements (Australia/Sydney); Status: Check official capacity; The official site still shows charity places and travel packages, but actual capacity must be checked route by route.

Cutoff / finish rules

The official marathon page lists a 7-hour course cutoff and requires maintaining 10 minutes per kilometer or faster.
The start-line window is 06:30 to 08:15; runners arriving later cannot cross the start line.

Taiwan-runner notes

Sydney is the newest Major and a realistic second overseas Major target after Tokyo because of distance and time-zone fit.
The 2026 ballot has passed, so short-term plans should prioritize charity and official travel partners over unofficial transfer information.
Late-August Australia weather is often easier than Taiwan summer weather, but race-morning transport and wave assignment still need the current runner guide.

Chinese WMM race page

Berlin Marathon

柏馬

One of the world's fastest PB and world-record courses. Lodging and flights should be planned with refundable options before lottery results.

Race dateSeptember 27, 2026 (Sunday)
Current statusThe 2026 lottery is closed. Charity and tour operators are the main backup routes.

Key timing

2026 lottery: Status: Closed; Individual runners, teams, and fast runners all use lottery or eligibility processes.
Charity / Tour Operators: according to official capacity and announcements (Europe/Berlin); Status: Check official capacity; The official registration page lists charity, tour operators, and guaranteed entries. Conditions and capacity need separate verification.

Cutoff / finish rules

The official registration information lists a 6:15-hour time limit, measured from crossing the start line.
Berlin race entries are personal and event-related; the official rules say they cannot be transferred to another person or another year.

Taiwan-runner notes

Taiwan runners chasing a PB can put Berlin high on the list, but lottery risk and lodging cost should be planned together.
Late-September Germany weather is often favorable for fast racing, but expo time, jet lag, and luggage delays still need buffer.
If using a tour operator, confirm it is officially approved and that the package truly includes race entry.

Chinese WMM race page

Chicago Marathon

芝馬

A flat, fast course through Chicago neighborhoods. It is a strong PB target, but long-haul travel, time zones, and US city lodging costs matter.

Race dateOctober 11, 2026 (Sunday)
Current statusThe 2026 guaranteed and non-guaranteed application window is closed. The charity program runs until September 15, 2026 or capacity, and tour operator application runs until August 16, 2026.

Key timing

2026 guaranteed / non-guaranteed application: Status: Closed; Lottery and guaranteed-entry applications have ended.
Official Charity Program: until September 15, 2026 (US Central Time); Status: Check official capacity; Official charity entries are first-come, first-served until September 15, 2026 or charity capacity. Fundraising minimums are at least USD 2,200.
Official Tour Operator Program: until August 16, 2026 (US Central Time); Status: Check official capacity; The official application page says tour operator application runs until August 16, 2026. Not every country has an approved operator.

Cutoff / finish rules

The official course page lists a 6 hour 30 minute time limit, about 15 minutes per mile.
Runners finishing after 4:00 PM may not be recorded as official finishers and may not receive full aid-station or traffic-control support.

Taiwan-runner notes

Chicago is a strong PB target after Berlin, but Central Time and long-haul travel make pre-race adjustment important.
For 2026, the realistic late routes are charity or official tour operator; the general lottery has passed.
For charity entry, confirm the fundraising minimum, payment responsibility, cancellation terms, and overseas credit-card handling.

Chinese WMM race page

New York City Marathon

紐馬

A five-borough race with several bridges and huge crowd energy. It is more of a city-experience Major than a pure PB course like Berlin or Chicago.

Race dateNovember 1, 2026 (Sunday)
Current statusThe 2026 non-guaranteed entry drawing, guaranteed-claim, cancellation-deferral, and time-qualifier application windows are closed.

Key timing

2026 non-guaranteed entry drawing: Status: Closed; International runners apply through the International applicant pool.
9+1 / 15+ / cancellation guaranteed claim: Status: Closed; 9+1 is usually not practical for Taiwan runners unless they already live in New York and run NYRR events.
Non-NYRR Time Qualifier application: Status: Closed; Spots for non-NYRR qualifying times are limited. Submitting a qualifying result is not the same as guaranteed acceptance.

Cutoff / finish rules

NYRR's current Runner Guide and cutoff policy should be checked before race week; the bridges and route profile are harder than pure flat courses.
For an AbbottWMM star, rely on official results listing rather than watch distance alone.

Taiwan-runner notes

New York is the top city-experience Major, but lottery odds and lodging costs should be estimated conservatively.
The International applicant pool matters for Taiwan runners. Do not treat NYRR 9+1 as the main path unless you already live in New York.
November weather and race-week transport can vary. Arrive several days early and finish expo / bib pickup before race weekend pressure builds.

Chinese WMM race page

Important Note

This page is for planning reference only. It does not replace official race pages, entry systems, runner guides, charity or tour-operator terms, visa or entry rules, insurance, medical advice, or legal advice. Entry capacity, deadlines, fees, fundraising obligations, tour-operator eligibility, qualifying standards, cutoffs, bib pickup rules, passport / visa / entry requirements, and travel risks can change; before entering, paying, booking, or traveling, verify the latest information with the race organizer, official entry system, and relevant government, airline, and insurance sources.