World Marathon Majors Guide for Taiwan Runners

Tokyo 2028 opportunity: virtual half-marathon entries close November 9 at 16:00 Taiwan time. Complete 21.0975 km during November 14–22 for a draw for 30 Tokyo 2028 places, with the marathon entry fee still payable. This is not reopened 2027 entry. Entry guide
Chicago 2027: approved guaranteed-entry applicants must pay by November 11 at 13:59 Taiwan time. General drawing results follow on December 8. Entry guide
Berlin 2027: the general ballot closes November 12, with results December 3. No exact closing time is published for the general ballot; apply early. Entry guide
Sydney 2027: the ballot notification date has passed. Check your outcome email, spam folder and payment record; contact the organizer if nothing arrives after November 6. Entry guide

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, Tokyo, and Cape Town may all have charity paths. Confirm fundraising minimums, payment responsibility, and whether the charity can support overseas runners.

Official tour operatorSeveral Majors, including Cape Town, offer official travel routes. Verify current 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 -> Eight Majors -> Nine Star

Sydney became the seventh Major in 2025. Cape Town has now been confirmed as the eighth Major and will host its first Major edition on May 23, 2027.

There is no Seven Star or Eight Star medal. The Six Star Medal still requires only the original six Major marathons.

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

Shanghai Marathon remains a candidate race. If it passes its evaluation, WMM plans to introduce the Nine Star Medal while retaining the Six Star Medal.

Race detail cards

Tokyo Marathon

東馬

An urban road marathon starting at Tokyo Metropolitan Government and finishing at Tokyo Station / Gyoko-dori Ave. The course is largely flat, with very low travel friction and just a one-hour time difference from Taiwan.

Race dateMarch 7, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusGeneral Entry payment closed September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. JST (4:00 p.m. Taiwan time). Check your entry and payment status in My Entry before booking travel. Unpaid entries are void. If places become available, an additional draw is conditional on eligible ONE TOKYO membership as of October 31, not a new general-entry window. Race day is March 7, 2027.

Key timing

Donation & Charity Runner Entry: Status: Closed; New Charity Runner applications closed July 9. Selected runner donations and entry-fee payments concluded August 13; donation-only contributions ended August 31.
RUN as ONE - Tokyo Marathon 2027 / Semi-Elite: Status: Closed; Application window closed August 13. Results were announced September 1, and entry-fee payment closed September 11.
ONE TOKYO GLOBAL Member Entry: Status: Closed; Application window closed August 13. Results were announced September 1, and entry-fee payment closed September 11.
General Entry: Status: Closed; Applications closed August 28, results were announced September 18, and payment closed September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. JST (4:00 p.m. Taiwan time). Check your status in My Entry; unpaid entries are void.

Cutoff / finish rules

The 2027 race features a 7-hour gun-time limit from the 9:10 a.m. start (closes 16:10 JST / 15:10 Taiwan time).
Packet pickup is March 4-6, 2027 at Tokyo Big Sight South Exhibition Halls. In-person pickup only (closes Saturday at 17:30 JST); no race-day pickup.
EXPO 2027 is completely cashless—prepare credit card or electronic payment for official merchandise and booths.

Taiwan-runner notes

This is the easiest Major for many Taiwan runners to try first: short flight, low time-zone shift (1 hour ahead), and familiar food and travel context.
General Entry payment has closed. Check entry and payment status in My Entry. Runners reporting sub-3:00 times must submit proof upon notice.
Tokyo 2027 marks the 20th anniversary edition with a planned Blue Impulse demonstration flight and the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships.
Official KNT accommodation packages (opened Sep 18) do not include race entry. Book flexible, cancellable travel.
Any 2027 second-chance drawing is limited to members who were already eligible by October 31; joining now cannot create eligibility. Ask official ITP operators about remaining packages. Interview Relay entries have closed.
Overseas VOLUNTAINER membership registration opened October 6 for English-speaking companions interested in volunteering. This is not runner entry or a guaranteed volunteer assignment.
RUNS: INTO KK companion events on March 5-6, 2027 are accepting entries for one-mile, 5K and relay events; these are not full-marathon places. The separate Para Athlete application opens December 7 at 10:00 Taiwan time and closes January 7 at 16:00 Taiwan time, with classification and performance requirements.

Race guide

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 statusThe B.A.A. has confirmed the 2027 acceptance cutoff: at least 5 minutes 17 seconds faster than your age-and-gender BQ standard. Acceptance and non-acceptance notices began September 29; check Athletes' Village and official email. Eligible applicants outside the cutoff enter the approximately 1,000-place Boston Qualifier Selection, not a reopened public ballot.

Key timing

2027 BQ application: Status: Closed; Applications are closed and will not reopen. The 2027 cutoff is 5:17 faster than BQ; notices began September 29. Check Athletes' Village and official notices, not credit-card preauthorization. Eligible applicants outside the cutoff enter Boston Qualifier Selection.
2027 charity entries: according to official capacity and announcements (America/New_York); Status: Check official capacity; Official charities offer a separate entry route. Confirm remaining places, fundraising obligations and overseas eligibility directly; the BQ deadline does not mean every charity route is closed.
2028 qualifying window (not registration): from September 19, 2026 (America/New_York); Status: Open; Qualifying performances from September 19, 2026 count toward 2028, through the end of the September 2027 registration week. Registration dates are not yet announced. Use a certified full marathon and recheck the 2028 downhill adjustment index, which may change.

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.
The 2027 acceptance cutoff is at least 5:17 faster than your BQ standard; this is an entry-selection threshold, not a race-course cutoff. Starting in 2027, some net-downhill qualifying races over 457.2m have time adjustments.

Taiwan-runner notes

2027 notices have started. Confirm formal acceptance in Athletes' Village before arranging travel; card preauthorization is not acceptance.
Qualifying, eligibility to apply and acceptance are separate. The 2027 acceptance buffer is 5:17. Boston Qualifier Selection is only for eligible existing applicants outside the cutoff, not a new public application route.
For a 2028 target, certified full-marathon results from September 19, 2026 enter the qualifying window. Age is assessed on Boston race day; check the target edition's downhill rules.
US Eastern deadlines often fall on the next Taiwan calendar day. An open qualifying window is not an open registration window.

Race guide

London Marathon

倫馬

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

Race dateApril 24-25, 2027 (Saturday-Sunday)
Current statusLondon will use a one-off two-day format in 2027, with 100,000 participants across Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 on the same Greenwich-to-Westminster course. Each in-person runner is allocated one day and cannot switch or run both. Ballot confirmation is over; charity and international travel routes remain worth checking.

Key timing

2027 London Marathon ballot: Status: Closed; All ballot results have been sent and the July 31 confirmation deadline has passed. Successful runners were allocated either Saturday or Sunday; days cannot be swapped.
Charity places: according to official capacity and announcements (UK); Status: Check official capacity; The organizer publishes separate Saturday and Sunday charity directories. Contact charities directly because each one controls availability, fundraising minimums, payment responsibilities, review, and overseas-runner rules.
International Tour Operator: according to official capacity and announcements (UK); Status: Check official capacity; The international-participants page lists guaranteed-entry travel providers. Taiwan runners should confirm regional eligibility, package inclusions, and current capacity directly with the provider.

Cutoff / finish rules

Saturday is expected to start at 9:00 a.m. and its finish line closes at 5:30 p.m.; the organizer says the maximum available completion time will be 7 hours 45 minutes.
Sunday is expected to start at 9:30 a.m. Its secondary finish line in Green Park will close at 11:59:59 p.m. Final wave and cutoff details remain subject to participant instructions.

Taiwan-runner notes

The ballot and confirmation period are over, so current planning should focus on charity, official tour operators, or the next ballot cycle. A 2027 place is tied to Saturday or Sunday and cannot be swapped.
Confirm your assigned April 24 or April 25 race day before booking travel; it cannot be swapped. Medals and T-shirts are opt-in during confirmation, with no extra charge for selecting them.
The Running Show is listed for April 20-24 at ExCeL London, with daily opening hours due in early 2027. Saturday runners must collect before race day; do not plan to arrive on Saturday.
Elite, Championship and Good for Age men race April 24; women in those categories race April 25. Both mass events are mixed-gender. Follow your assigned date, not your gender, when planning travel.
For charity entry, treat the minimum fundraising amount as a real commitment, not an optional donation.
For an international tour package, confirm that the provider accepts Taiwan-based runners instead of assuming any nearby-country operator is eligible.

Race guide

Cape Town Marathon

開普敦馬

Africa's first WMM Major combines Cape Town city, coastline, and Table Mountain scenery. The 2027 marathon uses two starts and finishes on Vlei Road.

Race dateMay 23, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusThe 2027 general ballot closed June 24, 2026. International Tour Operator and international charity places opened June 26 on a first-come, first-served basis. Taiwan runners should confirm remaining capacity, guaranteed entry, fundraising, and package terms directly with the provider.

Key timing

International Travel Program: from June 26, 2026 (SAST); Status: Check official capacity; The official Taiwan list currently includes KNT Taiwan, Lertsiri, and Lion Travel. Confirm 2027 guaranteed entry, hotel or flight inclusions, payment terms, and cancellation rules directly.
International Charity Program: from June 26, 2026 (SAST); Status: Check official capacity; International charity places are open to applicants outside South Africa. Each charity controls availability, fundraising minimums, payment responsibility, and review.

Cutoff / finish rules

The official FAQ lists a 6.5-hour marathon cutoff. Non-elite runners are timed mat to mat using net time.
All 2027 entries are non-transferable. An eligible 2028 deferral window will be announced closer to race day; sponsored entries are excluded.
Headphones and earphones are not permitted. Hydration packs are allowed, and the marathon does not require a South African temporary or permanent license.

Taiwan-runner notes

Cape Town becomes the eighth Major in 2027 and Africa's first. The Six Star Medal still covers only the original six races; there is no Seven Star or Eight Star Medal.
Cape Town is six hours behind Taiwan. Allow substantial buffer for long-haul connections, baggage delays, and race-week adjustment.
The official Taiwan tour-operator list currently includes KNT Taiwan, Lertsiri, and Lion Travel. Confirm that a package really includes guaranteed entry before paying.
Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs currently places South Africa and Cape Town at Level 3 orange and advises avoiding non-essential travel. Recheck the advisory and register your trip before deciding to travel.
Taiwan's consular guidance currently lists a South Africa visa process and advises at least six months of passport validity plus two blank pages. Confirm current rules before booking.
From July 1, 2026, South Africa requires an online SARS traveller customs declaration before arrival and departure, with limited paper exceptions. Keep the confirmation; this does not replace a visa.
At Cape Town airport, decline unsolicited rides. Use official ride-hailing or hotel transfer, verify the vehicle, and avoid walking alone with visible valuables.

Race guide

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 29, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusThe next race is August 29, 2027. The November 3 ballot notification and automatic-payment date has passed. Check your outcome email, spam folder and payment record; contact the organizer if nothing arrives after November 6. Unsuccessful applicants can check official charity and travel partners for places. A charity application does not guarantee acceptance.

Key timing

2027 general ballot: Status: Closed; Closed October 19 at 10:00 AEDT (07:00 Taiwan time); new general-ballot applications are no longer accepted. The November 3 notification and automatic-payment date has passed. Check your confirmation and payment record; unsuccessful applicants can consider that edition's charity and official travel options.
2027 High Performance Program (HPP): Status: Closed; Applications are closed. The 2027 program has 1,200 places; qualifying does not guarantee acceptance. Existing HPP applicants should check their confirmation and ballot carry-over instructions to avoid duplicate applications or charges.
2027 charity entries: according to official capacity and announcements (Australia/Sydney); Status: Open; The 2027 charity program is listed. Apply directly to an official partner, which reviews applications and allocates guaranteed places; applying does not guarantee acceptance. Confirm overseas eligibility, fundraising, entry fees and cancellation terms. Check your ballot outcome and payment record before committing to another place.
2027 Official Travel Partners: according to official capacity and announcements (Australia/Sydney); Status: Open; The official program now advertises guaranteed-entry packages for August 29, 2027. Use the partner directory and confirm Taiwan-resident eligibility, remaining places, accommodation and cancellation terms directly. Being listed does not establish current availability.

Cutoff / finish rules

The marathon page currently lists a 7-hour limit and a pace of 10 minutes per kilometer or faster. Confirm 2027 checkpoint cutoffs and waves in the new participant guide.
2027 waves and assembly times are not yet confirmed. Plan around your assigned wave, not the 2026 rolling-start timetable.

Taiwan-runner notes

Taiwan residents pay the International rate. The official 2027 FAQ lists AUD 340 plus a mandatory carbon levy and optional donations. Check your receipt for the amount charged.
Check your outcome email, payment record and entry confirmation. If charged but unable to find confirmation, check spam before contacting the organizer with your registration name, email and application number.
Follow the organizer's instruction to contact them if no outcome arrives after November 6. Standard entries are non-transferable and non-refundable; any refund protection depends on the cover selected during registration.
Sydney is a manageable time-zone and flight trip from Taiwan, but August is cooler. Plan travel after securing a place, prefer flexible bookings and use the 2027 Expo and start-area transport announcements.

Race guide

Berlin Marathon

柏馬

Berlin's flat, fast course draws world-class athletes and runners chasing a PB. Celebrate the 2026 finishers and watch for confirmed 2027 entry details.

Race dateSeptember 26, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusThe September 26, 2027 race ballot is open until November 12, 2026. Results arrive December 3; the EUR 215 fee is charged automatically from December 4 after selection. The general ballot page does not specify an exact closing time; the voucher deadline is a different route. Apply early and keep travel flexible.

Key timing

2027 general ballot: October 1, 2026 to November 12, 2026 (Europe/Berlin); Status: Open; Open until November 12, with results December 3 and the EUR 215 automatic charge from December 4 after selection. Teams have 2-3 runners with separate SCC accounts and a shared code entered during application, not added later. Fast runners must supply official 2025 or 2026 marathon results; qualification does not guarantee a place. EUR 5 bag check must be booked during registration and cannot be added later.
2027 charity entries: according to official capacity and announcements (Europe/Berlin); Status: Check official capacity; Check the new edition's charity partners, fundraising requirements and overseas eligibility before committing.
2027 official tour operators: according to official capacity and announcements (Europe/Berlin); Status: Check official capacity; Use that edition's authorized list and confirm entry, Taiwan eligibility, hotel terms and refunds.

Cutoff / finish rules

The 2027 registration rules list a 6-hour-15-minute marathon limit. Recheck checkpoint cutoffs and start waves in the new race briefing rather than reusing 2026 waves.
Do not assume that last year's start groups, transfer or deferral rules carry over to 2027.

Taiwan-runner notes

Allow a buffer for long-haul flights and connections, and time to adjust to jet lag rather than filling your arrival day with activities.
Choose lodging with both start access and the post-race journey in mind, preferably within walking distance of public transport.
While waiting for an entry, choose refundable or flexible flights and hotels. Check cancellation deadlines, change fees and refund terms before paying.

Race guide

Chicago Marathon

芝馬

Congratulations to every 2026 Chicago finisher! Revisit the champions and Taiwan runners' results, celebrate your 42.195 km, and look ahead to Chicago on October 10, 2027.

Race dateOctober 10, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusGeneral applications are closed and the High Performance Program is full. Approved guaranteed entries must pay by November 11 at 13:59 Taiwan time. Drawing results arrive December 8; selected runners must pay by December 16 at 13:59 Taiwan time. Charity places remain worth checking, and official tour entries open December 8.

Key timing

2027 guaranteed-entry and drawing applications: Status: Closed; General applications are closed and the High Performance Program is full. Approved guaranteed entries must pay by November 11 at 13:59 Taiwan time. Drawing results arrive December 8; selected runners must pay by December 16 at 13:59 Taiwan time. Charity fundraising starts at USD 2,500; official tour entries open December 8.

Cutoff / finish rules

The 2027 entry requirements specify a 6-hour-30-minute marathon limit. Account for it when choosing your target time and training plan.

Taiwan-runner notes

Chicago's flat course suits a PB attempt. Allow time to adjust your sleep after the long flight and time-zone change from Taiwan.
While waiting for a 2027 entry, compare refundable or flexible flights and hotels, including cancellation deadlines, change fees and refund terms.
When budgeting for 2027 accommodation, compare public-transport and walking access. Race-week demand is high; consider the journey back to your hotel after finishing, too.

Race guide

New York City Marathon

紐馬

42.195 km through five boroughs and into Central Park. Congratulations to every 2026 New York finisher! Revisit the champions, celebrate your finish and start planning your next New York adventure.

Race dateNovember 7, 2027 (Sunday)
Current statusThe next race is November 7, 2027. General drawing and time-qualifier application dates are not yet announced. Team for Kids has published entry options, with some tiers sold out.

Key timing

2027 general drawing: according to official capacity and announcements (America/New_York); Status: Not announced; Application and drawing dates have not been announced. Eligible NYRR members can also enter the second-chance drawing. Membership must be active the day before applications open and remain active through drawing day; membership alone does not guarantee selection.
2027 time-qualifier entry: according to official capacity and announcements (America/New_York); Status: Not announced; Use net times from January 1 through December 31, 2026, and your age on November 7, 2027. The 2026 NYC Marathon is an eligible NYRR event; qualifiers can claim paid guaranteed entry under NYRR's rules. Non-NYRR entry accepts online-verifiable certified full marathons, not half marathons. Places are limited, and meeting the standard does not guarantee selection. Application dates are not yet announced.
2027 Team for Kids entry: according to official capacity and announcements (America/New_York); Status: capacity_limited; The 2027 options have signup links, with availability confirmed after NYRR sign-in. At the November 5 check, the $3,000 and $4,000 fundraising tiers were sold out; $5,000 and $10,000 options were also listed. Separate TFK signup and race entry fees apply. Confirm eligibility from Taiwan, remaining places and payment obligations. Altruist options do not include a race entry.
Other 2027 charity entry: according to official capacity and announcements (America/New_York); Status: Not announced; Beyond the published Team for Kids options, Official Charity Partners are expected in spring 2027. Confirm eligibility from Taiwan, guaranteed entry and fundraising obligations; a 2026 partner listing is not an available 2027 place.
2027 international tour entry: according to official capacity and announcements (America/New_York); Status: Not announced; Official International Tour Operators are expected in early 2027 for non-full-time US residents. Check guaranteed entry, hotel and flight inclusions, and cancellation terms. A 2026 package is not a confirmed 2027 offer.

Taiwan-runner notes

New York crosses five boroughs and several bridges. Include hills and bridge efforts in preparation; a flat-course PB alone may not predict your New York time.
Allow time to adjust after the long flight from Taiwan. Compare subway access, the return from Central Park and the full hotel bill, preferably with refundable or flexible bookings.

Race guide

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.