Are the World Major Marathons Worth the Hype? Absolutely.
There’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to the World Major Marathons — the crowds, the logistics, the lottery odds, the travel, the hype. And I get it. These races require a level of planning, commitment, and mental bandwidth that local races don’t. But in my experience? They are absolutely worth it.
Each of the seven World Majors (7 World Majors now including Sydney) — Boston, New York City, Chicago, Berlin, London, Tokyo, and Sydney — offers something unforgettable. The energy, the crowds, the international field, the production… it’s electric. You feel like you’re part of something bigger than just a race. And that’s because you are. These races are a celebration of running itself.
But don’t be fooled — big races don’t mean you have to sacrifice performance. You can 100% PR at a Major. You just have to approach it a little differently.
Big races come with big logistics: international travel (sometimes), time zones, massive expos, early start corrals, long porta potty lines, crowded courses. Navigating all of that takes strategy. But that doesn’t mean it’s not doable. It just means your training has to include more than workouts and long runs — it needs to account for timing, race-day fueling under pressure, and mental resilience when you’re surrounded by tens of thousands of people.
You also need to get a little tactical. Where do you seed yourself? How do you deal with tight turns or bottle-necked water stops? How do you run your tangents when the streets are packed ten wide? You start thinking like a racer, not just a runner.
Another thing I’ll say: if you’re setting your sights on a World Major, it’s so worth working with a coach who has experience not just in marathon training—but in racing these marathons specifically.
The Majors aren’t like your local flat-and-fast 26.2. They’re each uniquely challenging. Boston’s hills and net downhill can wreck your quads if you’re not prepared. Berlin is deceptively fast but can get hot late. NYC? Hilly, crowded, and punishing if you don’t pace it right. London and Tokyo have their own nuances too. A coach who’s been there can help you train strategically for the course profile, prepare for the logistics, and build a race plan that accounts for the chaos and energy of a big race.
It’s more than just workouts—it’s dialing in the details: when to arrive, how to navigate the expo, what time to eat before your wave start, how to stay warm at a chilly start line with no gear check, or how to mentally reset if something doesn’t go according to plan.
A coach who’s run the Majors (or coached athletes through them) knows what it’s like to chase a PR through the roar of the crowds and the chaos of 40,000+ runners. And they’ll help you run smart—not just run hard.
And yes, the Majors are emotional. When you’re running down Boylston, through Brandenburg Gate, or across the Verrazzano, it hits you. All those social media videos, those posts you’ve seen of people raising their arms at the finish line or tearing up mid-course — those are real. And when you’re in it? It’s not hype. It’s magic.
I’ve done both local races and Majors, and while there’s something intimate and beautiful about the hometown vibe, the Majors push you in new ways. They challenge you to step up, to be more prepared, to believe bigger. They reward not just fitness, but focus.
So if you’re on the fence about chasing a World Major? I say go for it. It might take time. It might take luck, money, and a lot of spreadsheets. But it will be worth every bit of it. I promise.