World Marathon Majors Guide for Taiwan Runners

Tokyo 2027 lottery results are out; selected runners must pay by September 30 at 17:00 JST (16:00 Taiwan time). Sydney 2026 is complete and the official site now links to results and a 2027 ballot update; Berlin and Chicago 2026 are in pre-race preparation; Boston 2027 BQ Registration Week has concluded.

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 drawing results were announced September 18, 2026. Selected runners must complete entry-fee payment by September 30 at 5:00 p.m. JST (4:00 p.m. Taiwan time). Any unpaid places will be released for conditional member second-chance draws. The race is Sunday, 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; General Entry closed August 28 at 5:00 p.m. JST. Drawing results were announced September 18; selected runners must complete entry-fee payment by September 30 at 5:00 p.m. JST (4:00 p.m. Taiwan time) via My Entry.

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.
Selected runners must complete payment by September 30 at 17:00 JST (16:00 Taiwan time) via 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.
Unsuccessful applicants can look out for ONE TOKYO second-chance draws (active members by Oct 31), official ITP tour packages, or the Interview Relay 2027 contest (closes Oct 13).

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 statusQualifier registration runs September 14-18, 2026 and closes at 5:00 p.m. ET on September 18. It is not first-come, first-served. Applicants are ranked by time under their BQ standard; qualifiers who miss the final cutoff automatically enter the new approximately 1,000-place Boston Qualifier Selection.

Key timing

2027 BQ pre-verification (Athletes' Village): Status: Closed; Pre-verification closed July 31. Completing it was not registration or acceptance; runners still need to submit the full application during Registration Week.
2027 Boston Marathon qualifying window: September 13, 2025 to September 18, 2026 17:00 (ET); Status: Open; The qualifying window runs from September 13, 2025 through 5:00 p.m. ET on September 18, 2026. Qualifiers must come from certified full marathons, and some net-downhill courses are subject to 2027 time adjustments.
2027 Registration Week: September 14, 2026 to September 18, 2026 17:00 (ET); Status: Upcoming; Registration runs September 14-18 and is not first-come, first-served. Acceptance notices are expected in early October. Qualifiers outside the final cutoff automatically enter the new Boston Qualifier Selection for approximately 1,000 places.

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

Taiwan runners with a BQ must submit the full application from September 14-18; earlier pre-verification does not replace this step.
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 day for either pre-verification or Registration Week.

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 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.
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.
For an international tour package, confirm that the provider accepts Taiwan-based runners instead of assuming any nearby-country operator is eligible.

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 marathon was held Sunday, August 30. The official site now links to 2026 results and a 2027 ballot update. Runners planning the next edition should wait for the detailed 2027 ballot rules and dates rather than relying on the closed 2026 entry routes.

Key timing

Charity entries: according to official capacity and announcements (Australia/Sydney); Status: Closed; The 2026 route is closed. For 2027, wait for the official charity program and confirm fundraising requirements and overseas-runner eligibility directly with the listed charity.
Official Travel Partners: according to official capacity and announcements (Australia/Sydney); Status: Closed; The 2026 route is closed. For 2027, use only partners on the new official list and confirm that a package includes guaranteed race entry before paying.

Cutoff / finish rules

The official marathon page lists a 7-hour course cutoff and requires maintaining 10 minutes per kilometer or faster.
The elite wheelchair start is scheduled for 6:15 a.m. and marathon mass starts begin at 6:30 a.m. Follow the assigned wave and current Event Week Guide rather than arriving from an old timetable.

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 event is complete. New-entry planning should move to the official 2027 ballot update rather than unofficial transfer information or stale 2026 packages.
When 2027 registration details are published, reconcile the official ballot rules with any KNT Taiwan, Lion Travel, charity, or other official-provider offer before paying.
Late-August Australia weather is often easier than Taiwan summer weather, but future bib pickup, assembly, rolling-start, and transport details must come from that edition's Event Week Guide.

Chinese WMM race page

Berlin Marathon

柏馬

Race day is Sunday, September 27. Berlin's flat, fast course draws runners chasing a PB; prepare your pickup and start plans, and help supporters know when to follow and where to meet.

Race dateSeptember 27, 2026 (Sunday)
Current statusPickup appointments closed on September 21; the Expo runs September 24-26. Check your Start Card, pickup arrangements and assigned wave. The race guide includes Taiwan start times, tracking and reunion advice.

Key timing

Future entry: charity: according to official capacity and announcements (Europe/Berlin); Status: Not announced; For a future edition, check charity places, fundraising requirements and overseas eligibility. This is not confirmation of remaining 2026 entries.
Future entry: official tour operators: according to official capacity and announcements (Europe/Berlin); Status: Not announced; Use that edition's authorized list and confirm entry, Taiwan eligibility, hotel terms and refunds. The 2027 race is scheduled for September 26, with lottery registration October 1-November 12, 2026.

Cutoff / finish rules

The limit is 6 hours 15 minutes from crossing the start. KM 33 closes at 15:40 Berlin time; the finish closes at 17:00. Runners missing a cutoff must leave the course.
Starting groups can no longer be changed, and moving forward to a faster group is not allowed. Entries cannot be transferred to another runner or year.

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.

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 application window is closed, while the official runner-information page still directs runners to the Tour Program for entries. Registered runners should plan in-person packet pickup at McCormick Place on October 8-10 and race morning in Grant Park on October 11.

Key timing

Official Tour Operator Program: according to official capacity and announcements (US Central Time); Status: Check official capacity; The previously published August 16 window has passed. The race still says entries are available through the official Tour Program, so confirm current inventory and Taiwan eligibility directly before paying.

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 application window is closed; only current capacity confirmed directly through the official Tour Program should be treated as usable.
Confirm that the operator is listed by the race and that the package includes guaranteed entry before paying for travel or lodging.
Packet pickup is in person at McCormick Place: October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and October 9-10 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bring the pickup email and government photo ID.

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 drawing, guaranteed-claim, and time-qualifier windows are over. Official charities and International Tour Operators remain listed as guaranteed-entry routes, subject to provider capacity. The November 1 race marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course and is expected to bring together nearly 60,000 runners.

Key timing

Official Charity Partners: according to official capacity and announcements (ET); Status: Check official capacity; Official charity partners can provide guaranteed entry. Each charity controls remaining places, fundraising minimums, payment responsibility, and application review.
International Tour Operators: according to official capacity and announcements (ET); Status: Check official capacity; Non-full-time US residents can buy guaranteed-entry packages from official international tour operators. Packages generally include New York lodging, flights, or both.

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 in the next drawing cycle. Do not treat NYRR 9+1 as the main path unless you already live in New York.
For 2026, check official charity and International Tour Operator options first, including current capacity and fundraising or package obligations.
November weather and race-week transport can vary. Arrive several days early and finish expo / bib pickup before race weekend pressure builds.
The announced professional field includes defending champions Benson Kipruto, Hellen Obiri, and Marcel Hug. The anniversary edition is likely to intensify race-week demand.

Chinese WMM race page

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.
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.
At Cape Town airport, decline unsolicited rides. Use official ride-hailing or hotel transfer, verify the vehicle, and avoid walking alone with visible valuables.

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.