Live Your Best Lives
The World Marathon Majors is the world's premier marathon circuit, established in 2006. Initially, the World Marathon Majors included the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon and New York City Marathon. Starting in 2013, the Tokyo Marathon was added.
The World Athletics Championships Marathon and the quadrennial Summer Olympics Marathon are also part of the World Marathon Majors.
【Basic Introduction】
The Boston Marathon is a marathon held annually on Patriots' Day (the third Monday in April) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1897, the Boston Marathon, inspired by the success of the 1896 Summer Olympics, is the world's oldest marathon and one of the world's six major marathons (the others are the London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Tokyo Marathon). The Boston Athletic Association currently organizes the event.
【the way】
The roads in Boston are very bumpy, so the men's marathon has never produced the world's best results. The women's marathon produced three world best results in the 1970s and 1980s (when there were not many women's marathon events).
【route】
The race begins in Hopkinton, just west of Boston, and winds through seven towns before concluding at Copley Square in downtown Boston. The route is quite hilly, especially after the halfway mark, when it enters Heartbreak Hill near Boston College, a significant test of the athletes' stamina.
【Basic Introduction】
Founded in 1970, the New York City Marathon, held annually in early November, is the world's most-participated marathon. In 2015, 49,595 runners participated, with an average finishing time of 4 hours, 38 minutes, and 27 seconds.
【History】
The New York City Marathon's spectacular run across the New York City Suspension Bridge is so spectacular that even the bridge itself shakes. No other marathon attracts as many runners from around the world as the New York City Marathon. The city's unique charm, the spectacular atmosphere, and the incredible crowds of spectators lining the course have drawn more and more people to the event.
If you want to experience the energy and excitement of a city marathon, you can't miss the New York City Marathon. In the 1980s, Norwegian long-distance runner Caroline Wetz won the New York Marathon nine times, the most in marathon history. In 1981, American star Salazar set a world record of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 13 seconds. He won three consecutive times from 1980 to 1982, and Rogers won four consecutive times from 1976 to 1979.
In 1994, Kenyan runner Loroupe ran her first marathon in New York City. At 21 years old, 1.50 meters tall and weighing 38 kilograms, she looked like a minor, yet she won the championship in 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 37 seconds. Since then, Loroupe has become Kenya's most outstanding long-distance runner.
After the 1990s, the New York Marathon offered a Mercedes-Benz car as an additional prize in addition to the championship prize, which was very attractive.
【route】
Starting at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge leading to Staten Island, the route passes through New York's five boroughs and ends in Central Park. This route is truly a cultural journey through New York City during the holidays.
【Basic Introduction】
The Berlin Marathon attracts huge crowds, creating a lively and boisterous atmosphere. The race route offers a journey through 20th-century history. You'll pass by majestic historical buildings, the formal, formal buildings of former East Berlin, and the modern, high-tech, and commercial buildings of West Berlin. While the Berlin Marathon has been a major focus in recent years on world records, its greatest pride is its status as a true mass marathon. The Berlin Marathon boasts the fastest course in the world. In 2014, Kenyan Dennis Kimetto set a world record of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 57 seconds, marking the first time a marathon has broken the 2:03 mark.
【Route and scale】
Route: Aside from two hilly sections around mile 17 and 21, the Berlin Marathon course is generally flat, wide, and relatively straight, especially in the first two miles and toward the finish. There's plenty to catch your eye along the way, unless you're completely focused on setting a world record.
Size: More than 20,000 people
【Basic Introduction】
The Chicago Marathon was founded in the 1970s and has achieved remarkable results for three consecutive years since 1997, becoming the best and largest marathon in the United States. The Chicago Marathon is held annually in mid-October.
【Route and scale】
The loop is flat, spacious, and fast, starting and ending in the vast Grant Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. This route fully showcases the charm of Chicago, from the skyscrapers of the city center to the diverse ethnic neighborhoods, which many tourists never see.
Size: More than 35,000 people
【Basic Introduction】
The London Marathon, founded in 1981, was inspired by the New York City Marathon. Held annually in late April, its spacious grounds, scenic routes, enthusiastic spectators, and resounding cheers, along with its efficient management and near-perfect organization, undoubtedly captivate veteran marathon runners and make it a true festival for every runner. The London Marathon is one of the world's six major marathons (the others being the Boston Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Tokyo Marathon).
Unlike other races, the London Marathon is a charity marathon, with approximately two-thirds of runners qualifying through charitable donations. The 2018 London Half Marathon was the first race in London to commit to completely eliminating the use of disposable plastic water bottles, highlighting its environmentally friendly nature.
【route】
Route: Starting from Greenwich Park in Blackheath, southwest London, the route passes the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, ending near St. John's Park. Along the way, you'll see many of London's famous historical landmarks. While the route is winding, circuitous, and even narrow in places, it has no hills.
【Basic Introduction】
Founded in 2007, the Tokyo Marathon is the youngest and fastest-growing event in the World Marathon Majors. Held in late February each year, the 7-hour deadline makes the Tokyo Marathon a spectacular costume parade with various styles.
The Tokyo Marathon is a large-scale city marathon, with 35,000 participants, including invited runners from Japan and abroad, completing the race through famous landmarks in central Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, Ginza, and Asakusa. Race day is filled with incredibly moving moments, with unwavering support along the way. The participants, volunteers, and spectators blend seamlessly together, bringing the entire city together as one, creating a day that will be forever etched in the annals of marathon history.
Seven Continents Grand Slam
Completing the six other continents is relatively easy, but the most challenging leg is undoubtedly Antarctica. The first Chinese person to complete all seven continents was Wu Shaogang, currently the president of the Malaysian Ultramarathon Association. He is also the 29th person to complete the race worldwide.
Athletics Association Gold Medal Event
1. Beijing Marathon
2. Shanghai International Marathon
3. Hangzhou International Marathon
4. Xiamen International Marathon
5. Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon
6. Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) International Marathon
7. Chongqing International Marathon
8. Lanzhou International Marathon
9. Taiyuan International Marathon
10. Guizhou Leigongshan Ultra-100km International Challenge
11. Hengshui Lake International Marathon
12. Guangzhou Marathon
13. Wuxi International Marathon
14. Liupanshui Summer International Marathon
15. Shenzhen International Marathon
There are 12 major scoring categories for evaluating domestic gold medal events, which refer to the international gold standard, with a full score of 100 points. Those interested can visit the "Official Website of the China Athletics Association".
IAAF Gold Label Events
Finally, we'll look at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race. The number of IAAF Gold Label events adjusts slightly each year, much like the promotion and relegation system in the Chinese Super League, but the total remains around 40. Mainland China still holds four spots, and in addition to the traditional three, the Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon completes the F4 field.
Of course, there are also some leisure marathons, which are held in beautiful places with beautiful scenery and are suitable for beginner marathon runners:
