There are many sporting events that bring together athletes from around the world to take on great challenges, but without a doubt the events dedicated to running are filled with crowds of runners who want to test their skills and beat the records of the greatest and their own. Among them, the most famous ones undoubtedly stand out. World Marathon Majors, the most important and recognized marathons in the world throughout history; and it has become a great privilege for many to participate in them, and even more so to emerge victorious. Specifically, the concept of "Great Marathons” was created in 2006 (in English: World Marathon Majors) and is assigned to the 6 most important annual running and athletics competitions in the world:
Boston (United States) Mid-April
London (United Kingdom) End of April
Berlin (Germany) End of September
Chicago (United States) Mid-October
New York (United States) Early November
Tokyo (Japan) End of February
This would be, of course, in addition to the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games, which are held every two and four years, respectively. Held in different cities and countries, and with different cultural and tourist purposes, the Grand Marathons are celebrated all over the world as a symbol of discipline and sporting spirit. Here we explain the 6 most important ones! Do you already know them? Keep reading and find out! The 6 best and most famous marathons in the world!
THESE ARE THE WORLD MARATHON MAJORS!
THE BOSTON MARATHON
(United States) Mid-April
He Boston Marathon It is one of the largest running competitions in the United States and around the world that typically takes place on the third Monday in April, also known as the Patriot Day in the North American country, where it is considered a holiday. It has been celebrated annually since 1897 in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It is known internationally for being one of the 6 Great Marathons of the World either World Marathon Majors, next to The New York Marathon, Chicago, Berlin, London and Tokyo. The Boston Marathon It stands out especially internationally for the athlete Katherine Switzer, for being recognized as the woman who challenged the sports sector and the entire world by being the first woman to officially run a marathon. On a slightly more regrettable note, he is also remembered as the marathon which suffered a terrorist attack in 2013.
THE LONDON MARATHON
(United Kingdom) End of April
He London Marathon it's a marathon The event is held annually in London (United Kingdom) since 1981. However, since 2010 the race's sponsor is Virgin Money, and that is why it is now called the Virgin Money London Marathon. It is typically held at the end of April and, like all marathons, the distance is 42.195 km. Its founder is Chris Brasher, a former Olympic athletics champion and famous athlete, who was inspired by the event. marathon from New York originally to move them to the city of London.Its route covers the most emblematic areas of the English city along the River Thames. Initially, the competition was intended to raise money for charity, as a distinctive feature compared to the rest of the marathons. Each year, the profits from this event are donated to various charitable causes, including the fight against cancer.
THE BERLIN MARATHON
(Germany) End of September
The Berlin Marathon It is a marathon held in the German capital since 1974, during which the 42.195 kilometres of the race are covered annually. As we have mentioned, the competition is one of the six races that make up the World Marathon Majors. Today, it is one of the most important running competitions in the world and is also recognised for being one of the fastest in its category. In addition, it stands out among other similar competitions for offering participants a flat terrain, especially good for high-performance athletes. Its official sponsor, BMW Berlin Marathon, always remembers the iconic 1990 race, which took place 3 days before German Reunification, and where 25,000 brave people crossed the Brandenburg Gate, which at that time was integrated into the old Berlin Wall. Without a doubt, a competition that went down in human history. In addition, it is a world competition that stands out for having hosted many of the most recognised records in its category. How can we forget the legendary Haile Gebrselassie, who has already broken it twice, once in 2007 and again the following year. In 2011, it was surpassed by Kenyan Patrick Makau (02:03:38), and two years later in 2013 it was Wilson Kipsang who lowered it to 02:03:23. Now, it was Dennis Kimetto who left it as it is, in 2014, with a record time of 2:02:57.
THE CHICAGO MARATHON
(United States) Mid-October
For commercial reasons, today the Chicago Marathon It is officially known as the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It is one of the most multitudinous competitions held annually in the city of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Of course, it is one of the competitions that make up the World Marathon Majors, and it is always held on the Sunday of Columbus weekend, that is, the Sunday before the second Monday of the month of October. Chicago Marathon It began in 1905 and ended in 1920, when it was run by just 15 runners, of whom only 7 managed to finish the race. It was then resumed in 1977 and continues to this day. To go into a bit of history, we can talk about the 1999 edition, in which one of the best times in the world in history was achieved by the American Khalid Khannouchi (of Moroccan origin) with a time of 2h 05m and 42s, while in 2009 the record for the race was set by the British Paula Radcliffe, who also broke the world record in this setting in 2002 with a time of 2h 17m 18s, a time that was however beaten in 2003 at the London Marathon.
THE NEW YORK MARATHON
(United States) Early November
He New York Marathon It is a multitudinous running competition held annually since 1970 in the streets of the American city of New York; as well as the rest of the marathons official of the world, consists of a route of 42,195 kilometers.Like the marathons London, Chicago, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo, the New York marathon is included among the most important running competitions in the world, well known as World Marathon Majors, but it is about the Great Marathon with the largest number of runners of all those mentioned above. The New York Marathon The 2017 World Championships is held in the first week of November every year. It is known for being one of the most popular sporting events in the world and also for having the greatest media coverage compared to the rest. At its beginning in 1970, it was a very small race, in which only about 127 participants were registered and its route consisted of running several times around the famous Central Park. Today, however, the New York Marathon It is recognised as one of the most entertaining and popular races in the country and the world, especially because it is one of the most supported by the city government and is one of the most acclaimed by tourists from all over the world. Today, its route starts in Staten Island and ends in Central Park. It is broadcast live and transmitted by many television networks, and achieves an indisputable record of audiences year after year. In fact, in 2016 it broke the record for participation in the history of this competition... a year in which 50,000 runners managed to reach the finish line. Two years earlier, in 2014, the competition was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports.
THE TOKYO MARATHON
(Japan) End of February
The Tokyo Marathon It is an annual athletic running test most recognized in its namesake city, in which the classic distance of the marathonCommercially speaking, the competition is sponsored by Tokyo Metro, and is famous for being included among the World Marathon Majors. Historically, the race began to be held in 2007, with the first edition being attended by 30,000 runners. Previously, since 1981, two competitions were held in the city: the Tokyo International Marathon in odd-numbered years and the New York Friendship International Marathon in even-numbered years. Both races were merged in 2007, giving rise to the current Tokyo Marathon that we know today. Without a doubt, it is one of the most exotic competitions in the entire Asian country and also in comparison to the rest of the marathons that, together with it, make up the World Marathon MajorsInterestingly, the minimum age for the Tokyo Marathon is 19, instead of 18 like the rest of the competitions in this category. It is also the only marathon that allows each competitor to finish the competition dressed as the animated character of their choice. Currently, it has more than 35,000 entries annually, and it is the competition that increases the most subscribers every year.
Although it is not included among the big 6 marathons annual, we cannot fail to mention the marathon of the Olympic Games: one of the most emblematic of the sporting scene, since athletics is a sport present in each and every one of the Olympics held since 1896 until the last games that took place in Brazil. The winners of the last marathon The gold medalists for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro were Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge and Jemima Jelagat Sumgong, who won the gold medals in both the men's and women's events. The next Olympic race will take place in Kyoto, Japan.
