What It’s Really Like to Chase the Six World Marathon Majors
Some people take holidays. I take start lines.
Chasing the Abbott World Marathon Majors wasn't a plan at first. It started with Tokyo—drawn more by the idea of the city than the race—and somewhere between the jet lag and the finish line, I knew I was in.
Since then, I’ve run three of the six majors and applied for all of them (and yes, lost a few lotteries too). Boston was a heartbreak—not because of the course, but because of the BQ time I missed by 87 seconds. Berlin gave me my fastest finish. New York? That one wasn’t about time at all—it was about being carried by 2 million cheering strangers.
As a full-time office worker, making these races happen isn’t simple. I juggle work trips, vacation days, and early morning long runs. I book flights months ahead and gamble with weather. And through it all, the one piece of gear I keep with me? My lightweight expandable backpack. It fits under plane seats, holds my race kit and medal, and expands just enough for that extra pair of shoes I always end up buying.
Running these six races teaches you something no single race can: how the world moves differently. In Tokyo, it’s precision. In Chicago, it’s flow. In London, it’s chaos and charm. You start out running for a medal, but somewhere along the course—maybe mile 18, maybe after a DNS—you realize you’re running for something quieter. Something only you will fully understand.
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