The goal of almost every long-distance runner is to compete in the world’s most elite marathons—six races making up the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM). These renowned races occur in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo. AbbottWMM definitely sets the pace in the marathon industry, providing the largest platform for the best runners and offering the only global program for the world’s amateur athletes.

Each of the six races (each 42.195 kilometers in length) under the Abbott flag delivers unique benefits to runners:

• Operational excellence at each race ensures a premium race-day trek for entrants and an experience like no other
• Offering a professional series with the best professional athletes in the world competing for points, with the winner taking a share of the million-dollar prize purse every year
• Organizers aggressively promote marathon running and champion anti-doping protocols—making every effort to move the sport forward

Knowing a bit about these marathons might be a good idea before you pack your state-of-the-art Hoka One, Newton, or On running shoes. Read on to learn more about each of these platinum events in the running realm:

WILLKOMMEN ZU BERLIN

One of the most significant yearly events in Berlin is the marathon. Tens of thousands flock to the German city to compete and support the athletes who will run more than 42 kilometers through the beautiful German capital and past its significant sights like the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. This marathon prides itself on being internationally diverse. This event is a reflection of running history in Germany. An impressive 11 world records have been broken in this race. No other marathon in the world can match that number.

The Details:

• Save The Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
• In 2014, Dennis Kimetto was the first to run the course in under 2.03 hours, holding his World Record of 2:02:57 hours for four years
• Kimetto’s Record Was Shattered By Eliud Kipchoge In 2018 With A Time Of 2:01:39
• In 2023, In The Wheelchair Race, Catherine Debrunner Broke The World Record In 1:34:16 Hours

BOSTON, BEANTOWN BEAUTY

Here, you have the world’s oldest marathon. Inspired by the 1896 Olympics, a few members of the then Boston Athletic Association created the marathon, with the first race the following year. This race has been held every year except for 2020 due to COVID-19. Start and finish lines have changed over the years, but the rest of the course remains the same. The race starts in Hopkinton and goes through Ashland, Framingham, Natick and Wellesley. In Newton, the course climbs to the famous Heartbreak Hill. Once runners cross Brookline, they run into Boston, where the race finishes on historic Boylston Street. You must have certain qualifying times, depending on your gender and age, to run in this race.

The Details:

• Save the date: April 21, 2025,
• Largest field: 35,868 runners at the finish, 1996
• Course records: 2:03:02 to Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya, 2011; 2:19:59 to Buzunesh Deba of Ethiopia, 2014

CHICAGO, THE WINDY CITY

It all started in 1976 when a group of runners made plans for a Chicago marathon. The mayor at the time, Michael Bilandic, was a sports enthusiast who backed the idea. So, on September 25, 1977, the first Chicago marathon was born, with 4,200 runners participating. The marathon has grown to more than 45,000 runners with about 1.7 million spectators along the route, beginning and ending at Grant Park. Runners pass through 29 culturally diverse neighborhoods, including Lakeview, Greektown, Little Italy, Pilsen, Chinatown and Bronzeville.

The Details:

• Save the date: Sunday, October 13, 2024
• Men’s world records: 2:08:55 to Steve Jones, 1984, and 2:05:42 to Khalid Khannouchi, 1999
• Women’s world records: 2:18:47 to Catherine Ndereba, 2001; 2:17:18 to Paula Radcliffe, 2002 and 2:14:04 to Brigid Kosgei, 2019

FOGGY LONDON TOWN

On March 29, 1981, more than 20,000 runners wanted to participate in the first London marathon, but only 7,747 were admitted, with 6,255 finishing. Today, this marathon has grown to more than 40,000 starters. The London Marathon is not just a local event but a global phenomenon. The BBC broadcasts the race to 196 countries worldwide, with four to five million viewers in the UK alone. London marathoners have also raised more than £1 billion for charity, a testament to the global impact of this marathon.

The Details:

• Save the date: April 27, 2025  
• Largest field: 42,549 runners at the finish in 2019
• Course records: 2:02:37 to Eliud Kipchoge, 2019 and 2:15:25 to Paula Radcliffe, 2003

Since this marathon is a favorite for runners, you might be considering entering the 2025 London marathon yourself, in which case you will want lavish yet comfortable accommodations. In the prestigious St. James area, Penthouse William has some of the best views of the city’s iconic landmarks—Buckingham Palace, the Shard, the London Eye, Green Park, the Palace of Westminster, and Big Ben. You will bask in 8,000 square feet of aristocratic refinement on two floors. A spiral staircase leads to a rooftop terrace where you can marvel at the city’s glittering skyline. You will also enjoy a private elevator, breathtaking atrium, cinema room, bar, gym, library and massage room. There are separate staff quarters.

NEW YORK – TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE

The New York City Marathon is the premier event for New York Road Runners and the largest marathon in the world. Elite athletes and recreational runners alike enter seeking one of the challenges of a lifetime. The first marathon 1970 only had 127 runners who ran four laps around Central Park. Now, more than 50,000 runners from around the world descend on NYC in early November to race through the city’s five boroughs. Participants are cheered on by more than one million spectators lining the course. About 650 million people watched the last race on television.

The Details:

• Save the date: Sunday, November 3, 2024
• Largest field: 53,640 runners at the finish of 2019
• Course records: 2:05:06 to Geoffrey Mutai, Kenya, 2011 and 2:22:31 to Margaret Okayo, Kenya, 2003

If you are considering entering the 2024 New York City Marathon, why not secure a stunning place to stay now so that you can concentrate on training for the big race? Townhouse Ophelia is an astounding single-family residence in the heart of Greenwich Village. A chic glass staircase and custom elevator service are on all seven floors of this exceptional urban retreat. A master of impressions, Townhouse Ophelia dazzles with its dimension and stature, presenting a two-story living room overlooked by the multi-function mezzanine level. This luxury residence hosts up to 8 guests with four immaculate rooms with spa-inspired baths, three of which feature king-sized beds. After a long day of running, you can relax in the massage room and sauna. The modern and spacious terrace rooftop offers magical New York and Washington Square Park vistas. 

THE TEMPTATIONS OF TOKYO

The Tokyo Marathon, organized by the Tokyo Marathon Foundation, was launched on February 18, 2007, with 95,044 applicants applying for entry. Of the applicants, 30,870 were given the green light to run. About 300,000 runners applied to participate, but only 36,000 were admitted. In 2011, the marathon established its charity, Running with Heart. A new route was established in 2017.

The Details:

• Save the dates: Sunday, March 2, 2025
• Largest field: 35,460 runners at the finish, 2019
• Course records: 2:03:58 to Wilson Kipsang, 2017, and 2:17:45 to Lonah Salpeter, 2020

Whether running in an elite marathon, surfing the pipeline in Oahu, going on a photo shoot in South Africa, or searching for your new favorite vintage at the wineries of France, LVH will turn your vacation dreams into reality. We want you to indicate where your imagination is taking you and what you’d like to do and see when you get there. We know your time is precious and want to fill your holiday moments with adventure and inviting interludes while relishing your downtime. 

Please contact one of our client relations team members, who will start the planning process for you immediately.