World Marathon Majors

Peris WambuBy Peris Wambu
Kenya sports betting writer
Updated 3 November 2026

The World Marathon Majors are a series of seven city marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York. East African runners won most of the 2026 races, led by Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe, who ran 1:59:30 in London on 26 April 2026, the first marathon world record under two hours. This page tracks every 2026 Major and how runners from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia finished.

Marathon Majors key facts

Races
Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, New York
Men’s world record
1:59:30, Sabastian Sawe (Kenya), London 2026
Latest race
New York, 1 November 2026
Next race
Tokyo, Sunday 7 March 2027

2026 World Marathon Majors results

RaceMen’s winnerWomen’s winner
Tokyo, 1 MarchTadese Takele (Ethiopia), 2:03:37Brigid Kosgei (Kenya), 2:14:29
Boston, 20 AprilJohn Korir (Kenya), 2:01:52Sharon Lokedi (Kenya), 2:18:51
London, 26 AprilSabastian Sawe (Kenya), 1:59:30Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia), 2:15:41
Sydney, 30 AugustAddisu Gobena (Ethiopia), 2:04:42Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya), 2:18:31
Berlin, 27 SeptemberGuye Adola (Ethiopia), 2:02:50Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia), 2:11:04
Chicago, 11 OctoberAmos Kipruto (Kenya), 2:01:09Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia), 2:13:33
New York, 1 NovemberAndreas Almgren (Sweden), 2:06:01Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya), 2:24:36

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania at the 2026 Majors

Kenyan men won three of the seven 2026 Majors: John Korir set a Boston course record for his second title in a row, Sawe broke the world record in London and Amos Kipruto won Chicago in a personal best. Kenyan women won Tokyo, Boston, Sydney and New York, with Brigid Kosgei setting a Tokyo course record.

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo was third in London in a national record of 2:00:28 and fourth in Chicago, where he was defending champion. Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu was second in Boston, and his compatriot Gabriel Geay took third in Berlin in 2:03:59.

New York City Marathon 2026

The last Major of 2026 was the New York City Marathon on Sunday 1 November. Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won the women’s race in 2:24:36, with Hellen Obiri third in 2:24:43 and Edna Kiplagat fourth. Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s race in 2:06:01, and Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, the defending champion, was fourth in 2:06:27. The 2027 Majors open with the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday 7 March 2027.

Latest marathon news

Marathon Majors FAQ

What is the marathon world record?

The men’s marathon world record is 1:59:30, set by Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe at the London Marathon on 26 April 2026. It was the first time a marathon world record went under two hours.

Who won the 2026 Chicago Marathon?

Kenya’s Amos Kipruto won the 2026 Chicago Marathon men’s race in 2:01:09, and Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa won the women’s race in 2:13:33. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the defending champion, finished fourth.

Which marathons are World Marathon Majors?

The World Marathon Majors are Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York. Sydney is the newest addition to the series.

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