[{"id":"ed797c31-15f2-43af-b59e-e130a3a62bb6","name":"New York City Marathon","category":"Time Standard, Charity, & Lottery","location":"New York, NY, USA","entry_window_start":"2026-02-04","entry_window_end":"2026-02-25","drawing_date":"2026-03-04","notification_date":null,"race_date":"2026-11-01","weather":"50–60°F · Typical range","bg_image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1514565131-fce0801e5785?w=800&q=80","description":"The TCS New York City Marathon is the world's largest marathon, with over 50,000 finishers annually. The course traverses all five boroughs of New York City, starting on Staten Island and finishing in Central Park. The iconic race features the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge start and passionate crowds throughout.","qualification_info":"Non-Guaranteed Drawing\nThe 2027 drawing is expected to open in early February 2027 and run about three weeks, with results in early March (dates not yet announced). Applying is free; the entry fee is charged automatically only if you're selected. 2027 fees have not been announced.\nDetails: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/runners/the-drawing\n\nTime Qualifier (guaranteed for NYRR races, limited for others)\nQualifying window: January 1 – December 31, 2026, net (chip) time. Example standards for ages 18–34: men 2:53:00 marathon or 1:21:00 half; women and non-binary 3:13:00 or 1:32:00. Standards loosen with age.\nTimes from an NYRR marathon or eligible NYRR half (NYC Half, Brooklyn Half, Staten Island Half, Maybelline Women's Half) give guaranteed entry. Times from other certified marathons compete for a limited number of spots, fastest first by age and gender; the rest go into the drawing.\nFull standards: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/runners/marathon-time-qualifiers\n\n9+1 Program (NYRR members)\nRun 9 qualifying NYRR races and volunteer at 1 event for guaranteed entry the following year. Starting with the 2027 program (which earns 2028 entry), members must first win a free members-only eligibility drawing, then buy a $99 9+1 Pass.\nDetails: https://www.nyrr.org/run/guaranteed-entry/tcs-new-york-city-marathon-9plus1-program\n\n15+ Finishers\nAnyone who has finished the NYC Marathon 15 or more times has guaranteed entry for life.\n\nCharity and International\nGuaranteed entry by fundraising for an official charity partner, or through an official international tour operator package. For most international runners, the realistic routes are the drawing, charity, or a tour operator.","slug":"nyc","created_at":"2026-02-16T20:03:38.235971+00:00","website_url":"https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon","apply_url":"https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/runners/the-drawing","course_info":"A point-to-point tour of all five boroughs. It starts on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, runs through Brooklyn and Queens, crosses the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, briefly dips into the Bronx, and returns down Fifth Avenue to finish in Central Park. It's not flat: the five bridges and the long Fifth Avenue climb before the park make it one of the tougher majors.\n\nStarts: five waves, with bus and ferry transport to Staten Island assigned by pace. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge closes to traffic at 7:00am, so plan an early start.\nCourse closing: sweep buses follow at about a 16:00/mile pace behind the last wave.\n\nCourse details: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/race-day/the-course\nThe start: https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/race-day/the-start","last_race_info":"2025 race (November 2, 2025)\n\nWeather: cold and clear, about 5–6°C (41–43°F) in the morning, warming to about 14°C (57°F) by mid-afternoon. Dry, sunny, and nearly windless.\n\nWinners: Benson Kipruto (KEN) 2:08:09, beating Alexander Mutiso by 0.03 seconds in the closest finish in race history; Hellen Obiri (KEN) 2:19:51, breaking a 22-year-old course record. Wheelchair: Marcel Hug 1:30:16 (his seventh NYC title), Susannah Scaroni 1:42:10. Eliud Kipchoge finished 17th to complete his Six Star.\n\nField: 59,226 finishers.","upcoming_race_date":null,"promo_title":"2027 TCS NYC Marathon Hundred Entry Sweepstakes","promo_body":"New York Road Runners is giving away 100 entries to the 2027 TCS New York City Marathon: 1 VIP grand prize (2 entries with VIP start perks plus 2 nights at The Ritz-Carlton Central Park), 5 runner-up prizes (2 entries each), and 88 single entries. Random drawing on or about November 10, 2026. Open to legal US residents (50 states + DC), 18+.\n\nNO PURCHASE OR DONATION NECESSARY. Per the official rules, a donation will not improve your chance of winning.\n\nEnter with a donation: $50 = 10 entries, $100 = 30, $200 = 70, $400 = 150. Early bird: donations made before October 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET get 3x entries.\n\nFree entry (alternative method): fill out the free entry form at https://go.rallyup.com/f603bc/mailentryrequest then save it as a PDF and email it to entries@rallyup.com by November 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Each free entry gets the average number of entries donors received, early-bird bonus included.\n\nOne entry method and one submission per person.\nOfficial rules: https://rallyup-sweepstakes.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/2027+TCSNYCM+Hundred+Entry+Sweepstakes+Official+Rules.pdf","promo_url":"https://go.rallyup.com/nycmarathon/Campaign/Details","promo_end_date":"2026-11-05","organizer_name":"New York Road Runners","organizer_url":"https://www.nyrr.org"},{"id":"779ea9f0-ad82-4d58-83ba-d2efee5aab20","name":"London Marathon","category":"Time Standard, Charity, & Lottery","location":"London, UK","entry_window_start":"2026-04-24","entry_window_end":"2026-05-01","drawing_date":"2026-07-09","notification_date":null,"race_date":"2027-04-25","weather":"48–58°F · Typical range","bg_image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513635269975-59663e0ac1ad?w=800&q=80","description":"The London Marathon is one of the largest fundraising events in the world. The course starts in Greenwich and Blackheath, follows the Thames through central London, and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace. Renowned for its festive atmosphere and enthusiastic spectators.","qualification_info":"2027 is a one-off Double TCS London Marathon: 100,000 runners over Saturday April 24 and Sunday April 25, 2027, on the same Greenwich-to-Westminster route. Each runner is assigned one day and can't choose, swap, or run both.\n\nBallot (2027 closed)\nRan April 24 – May 1, 2026; a record 1,338,544 people entered. Results were emailed July 9 and places had to be confirmed by July 31. The organizers will not reopen it. The 2028 ballot is expected to open around the 2027 race.\nEntry fee if selected: £79.99 (UK) / £275 (international, includes carbon offset). Donating when you enter the ballot doubles your chances (four chances for 2027, since there are two days).\nDetails: https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/ballot\n\nGood For Age (UK residents only)\nFastest-first against age-group standards. 2027 criteria will be published in the autumn; the 2026 standards (run October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025) were, women / men:\n18–39: 3:38 / 2:52 • 40–44: 3:43 / 2:57 • 45–49: 3:46 / 3:02 • 50–54: 3:53 / 3:07 • 55–59: 3:58 / 3:12 • 60–64: 4:23 / 3:34 • 65–69: 4:53 / 3:52 • 70–74: 5:53 / 4:52 • 75–79: 6:13 / 5:07 • 80–84: 6:38 / 5:27 • 85–89: 7:10 / 6:10 • 90+: 7:45 / 7:20\n2026 places were capped at 6,000 (3,000 men, 3,000 women). Enter the ballot too if you're within 10 minutes of your standard.\nDetails: https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/good-age-entry\n\nChampionship (UK athletics club members)\n2026 standards: sub 2:38 men / sub 3:10 women (or half marathon sub 1:11:30 / 1:26:00), capped at 1,200. 2027 criteria due in the autumn.\nDetails: https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/championship-entry\n\nCharity\nGuaranteed places through charity partners in exchange for a fundraising pledge.\nDetails: https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/run-charity\n\nOther routes\nBritish Athletics club places, international tour operators, participants with disabilities, and London Marathon MyWay (run the distance anywhere on either day).","slug":"london","created_at":"2026-02-16T20:03:38.235971+00:00","website_url":"https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon","apply_url":"https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/ballot","course_info":"Point-to-point from Greenwich to The Mall in Westminster. The route loops past the Cutty Sark around miles 6–7, crosses Tower Bridge near halfway (one of the loudest spots on the course), circles the Isle of Dogs through Canary Wharf, then heads back west along Victoria Embankment, past Big Ben and down Birdcage Walk to finish in front of Buckingham Palace. It's flat and fast: the 2026 race produced the first sub-2-hour marathon in race conditions.\n\n2027 double: same route both days. Expected start around 9:00am Saturday and 9:30am Sunday (times still to be confirmed). The Saturday finish line closes at 5:30pm.\n\nCourse details: https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/course\n2027 double FAQs: https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/2027-tcs-london-marathon-double-faqs","last_race_info":"2026 race (April 26, 2026)\n\nWeather: about 11°C (52°F) at the start, warming to about 18–19°C (64–66°F) by afternoon. Dry and overcast with a light easterly breeze.\n\nWinners: Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 1:59:30, a world record and the first sub-2-hour marathon in race conditions; Tigst Assefa (ETH) 2:15:41, a women-only world record. Yomif Kejelcha ran 1:59:41 in second, the fastest debut ever. Wheelchair: Marcel Hug 1:24:13, Catherine Debrunner 1:38:29.\n\nField: 59,830 finishers, a Guinness world record for the largest marathon, from 1,133,813 ballot applications.","upcoming_race_date":null,"promo_title":null,"promo_body":null,"promo_url":null,"promo_end_date":null,"organizer_name":"London Marathon Events","organizer_url":"https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk"},{"id":"54c18a2c-d1f1-440b-88ac-1ad3b8f0ea7b","name":"Tokyo Marathon","category":"Time Standard, Charity, & Lottery","location":"Tokyo, Japan","entry_window_start":"2026-08-14","entry_window_end":"2026-08-28","drawing_date":"2026-09-18","notification_date":null,"race_date":"2027-03-07","weather":"40–55°F · Typical range","bg_image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1759970752518-b0ffa38c130b?w=800&q=80","description":"The Tokyo Marathon is one of the newest World Marathon Majors, first held in 2007. The course takes runners through the heart of Tokyo, passing iconic landmarks including the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, and Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple. Known for its incredible crowd support and impeccable organization. The 2027 edition marks the 20th anniversary of the race and will host the Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships.","qualification_info":"Official entry schedule: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/participants/\n\nGeneral Lottery\nRegistration: August 14–28, 2026 | Results: September 18, 2026 | Payment: September 18–30, 2026\nEntry fee if selected: USD 230 (international) / ¥19,800 (domestic). Total field: 40,000 across all categories, including wheelchair and duo team divisions. Runners must be 19 or older on race day and able to finish within 6 hours 30 minutes.\nApply and check results at My Entry: https://myentry.onetokyo.org/guide?lang=en\n\nOne Tokyo Global Membership (¥30,000/year)\nMembership opens April 1, 2026. Benefits include:\n• Early member lottery: July 31 – August 13, 2026 (results September 1, payment due September 11)\n• If not selected, you remain in the general draw (September 18)\n• A third draw in November for remaining members\n• Pacer applications open to members (email in July)\n• Members who apply 3 consecutive years without success are guaranteed entry in their 4th year\nJoin at https://onetokyo.org\n\nCharity (RUN with HEART)\nRegistration: June 24 – July 9, 2026 | Selection guide sent: July 14–17 | Donation deadline: August 31, 2026\n~5,000 bibs available. Highest pledges win — past floors ranged ¥100,000–¥300,000; bidding ¥250,000–¥300,000 is generally safe. Only one charity application allowed; entry fee is paid on top of your pledge. Results are announced before the general lottery.\nDetails: https://runwithheart.jp\n\nSemi-Elite (RUN as ONE)\nEntry: July 31 – August 13, 2026 | Results: September 1, 2026 | Payment: September 1–11, 2026\nFor runners meeting the semi-elite time standards. Details: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/participants/run-as-one/\n\nTMF Virtual Runs\nOpen to all (¥1,500/race without membership). Each virtual race offers 40 marathon entry spots for finishers; completing all 10 races in the series enters you into a draw for 50 additional spots. Odds are roughly 1%.\n\nAbbott WMM Age Group Championships (2027 only)\nTokyo 2027 hosts the Abbott WMM Age Group Championships. Runners 40+ may qualify by ranking high in their age group at qualifying races or via the Abbott WMM Scoring System.\n\nAbbott WMM 4+ Stars\nRunners who have completed 4 or more Abbott WMM majors may receive an extra entry opportunity through the Abbott WMM portal.","slug":"tokyo","created_at":"2026-02-16T20:03:38.235971+00:00","website_url":"https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/","apply_url":"https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/participants/","course_info":"Starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku and finishes in front of Tokyo Station on Gyoko-dori Avenue. The 2027 route runs Suidobashi – Ueno-hirokoji – Kanda – Nihombashi – Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate – Ryogoku – Monzen-nakacho – Ginza – Tamachi – Hibiya, with the final turnaround at Tamachi. The first 5 km are mainly downhill and the rest is flat and fast.\n\nStart: 9:10am (wheelchair 9:05am) | Time limit: 7 hours (finish closes 4:10pm), with intermediate cut-offs along the course\n\nCourse map: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/about/course/\nEntry information: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/participants/guideline/","last_race_info":"2026 race (March 1, 2026)\n\nWeather: about 10°C (50°F) at the 9:10am start, warming to about 15–16°C (59–61°F) by early afternoon. Dry, with a light northerly breeze early; mostly sunny after midday.\n\nWinners: Tadese Takele (ETH) 2:03:37, his second straight Tokyo title; Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:29, a course record. Wheelchair: Marcel Hug 1:21:09, Catherine Debrunner 1:37:15.\n\nFast field: 5.6% of finishers broke 3 hours, the highest share in Tokyo Marathon history.","upcoming_race_date":null,"promo_title":null,"promo_body":null,"promo_url":null,"promo_end_date":null,"organizer_name":"Tokyo Marathon Foundation","organizer_url":"https://tokyo42195.org/en/"},{"id":"6d69c9a4-c4e4-484e-b6af-6ba34797c5cb","name":"Boston Marathon","category":"Time Standard & Charity","location":"Boston, MA, USA","entry_window_start":"2026-09-14","entry_window_end":"2026-09-18","drawing_date":null,"notification_date":null,"race_date":"2027-04-19","weather":"45–60°F · Typical range","bg_image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1768326530593-00a0b2627063?w=800&q=80","description":"The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, first held in 1897. The point-to-point course from Hopkinton to Copley Square in downtown Boston features the famous Heartbreak Hill at mile 20. It's the only major that requires a qualifying time for general entry.","qualification_info":"Boston is entered mainly by qualifying time. Applying with a qualifier doesn't guarantee a spot: when there are more qualifiers than places, the B.A.A. accepts the fastest relative to their standard (the \"cut-off\"). For 2027 the cut-off was 5:17 under standard (men 18–34 needed 2:49:43, women 18–34 3:19:43); for 2026 it was 4:34, for 2025 it was 6:51.\n\n2028 Qualifying Window\nOpen now: September 19, 2026 through 2028 registration week (September 2027, exact dates not yet announced). Any marathon finished on a certified course in this window counts.\nThe 2028 standards are the same as 2027 (the B.A.A. may adjust downhill-course time indexes before 2028).\n\nQualifying Standards (men / women and non-binary)\n18–34: 2:55 / 3:25 • 35–39: 3:00 / 3:30 • 40–44: 3:05 / 3:35 • 45–49: 3:15 / 3:45 • 50–54: 3:20 / 3:50 • 55–59: 3:30 / 4:00 • 60–64: 3:50 / 4:20 • 65–69: 4:05 / 4:35 • 70–74: 4:20 / 4:50 • 75–79: 4:35 / 5:05 • 80+: 4:50 / 5:20\nQualifying races must be certified (USATF, AIMS, or equivalent); no time trials, treadmill, or indoor marathons.\nDetails: https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify/\n\n2027 Registration (closed)\nQualifier registration ran September 14–18, 2026 in Athletes' Village; 33,656 applications were submitted. The cut-off was announced September 29, 2026, and acceptance notices go out by early October 2026.\n\nBoston Qualifier Selection (new for 2027)\nAbout 1,000 qualifiers whose times missed the cut-off are picked at random for entry. Details: https://bstnmar.org/NewBQS\n\nCharity\nAbout 10% of the field runs for the Official Charity Program (215 organizations for 2027). Each charity sets its own fundraising minimum.\nDetails: https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/charity/","slug":"boston","created_at":"2026-02-16T20:03:38.235971+00:00","website_url":"https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/","apply_url":"https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/qualify/","course_info":"Point-to-point from Hopkinton to Boylston Street in Boston, through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline. The course drops about 140 m (460 ft) overall, but the early downhill punishes quads, and the Newton hills between miles 16 and 21 end with Heartbreak Hill just past mile 20. Because it's point-to-point with a net drop, times here aren't eligible for world records.\n\nStart times (2026): Professional and wheelchair 9:06–9:50am | Wave 1 10:00am | Wave 2 10:15am | Wave 3 10:28am | Wave 4 10:41am | Wave 5 11:01am | Wave 6 11:21am\nFinish line closes: 5:30pm\nRunners take buses from Boston Common to Athletes' Village in Hopkinton.\n\nCourse map (2026): https://www.baa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-Course-Map.pdf\nInfo for athletes: https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/info-for-athletes/","last_race_info":"2026 race (April 20, 2026)\n\nWeather: cool and dry, about 6–10°C (43–50°F) through the race, partly cloudy, with a steady westerly tailwind of about 15 km/h (9 mph).\n\nWinners: John Korir (KEN) 2:01:52, a course record (the previous best was 2:03:02 from 2011); Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:18:51. Wheelchair: Marcel Hug 1:16:06, Eden Rainbow-Cooper 1:30:51. Jessica McClain ran 2:20:49, an American women's course record.\n\nField: 24,362 runners. Qualifiers needed to be 4:34 under their standard to be accepted.","upcoming_race_date":null,"promo_title":null,"promo_body":null,"promo_url":null,"promo_end_date":null,"organizer_name":"Boston Athletic Association","organizer_url":"https://www.baa.org"},{"id":"f8ca9e90-efc1-482a-8bbc-b622fdd4305d","name":"Sydney Marathon","category":"Lottery","location":"Sydney, Australia","entry_window_start":"2026-09-29","entry_window_end":"2026-10-19","drawing_date":"2026-11-03","notification_date":null,"race_date":"2027-08-29","weather":"50–60°F · Typical range","bg_image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506973035872-a4ec16b8e8d9?w=800&q=80","description":"The Sydney Marathon is the newest Abbott World Marathon Major. The course showcases Sydney's stunning harbour,\n  crossing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Sydney Opera House. Held in the Southern Hemisphere\n  winter, it offers cool running conditions and world-class scenery.","qualification_info":"Ballot\nRegistration: September 29 – October 19, 2026 | Results: November 3, 2026\nEntry fee: AUD 280 (Australian residents) / AUD 330 (international), charged only if selected. Registering for the ballot is free and it is a random draw, not first-come, first-served.\nApply: https://www.tcssydneymarathon.com/sign-up\n\nCharity\nGuaranteed entry by fundraising for an official charity partner (headline charity: Running For Premature Babies).\nDetails: https://www.tcssydneymarathon.com/run-for-charity\n\nTravel Partners\nGuaranteed entry packaged with accommodation through official travel partners (2027 packages coming soon).\n\nDuo Teams & Wheelchair\nDuo teams and non-elite racing wheelchairs have a separate application process and should not enter the ballot.\nDetails: https://www.tcssydneymarathon.com/access-and-inclusion","slug":"sydney","created_at":"2026-02-16T20:48:53.957399+00:00","website_url":"https://www.tcssydneymarathon.com","apply_url":"https://www.tcssydneymarathon.com/sign-up","course_info":"Point-to-point from Miller Street, North Sydney to the Sydney Opera House. The course crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge, loops through Centennial Park, and passes Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden, with sections following the Sydney 2000 Olympic marathon route.\n\nElevation: +313 m gain, 83 m net drop. Rolling rather than flat.\nStart: 6:30am mass start (elite wheelchair 6:15am) | Time limit: 7 hours\n\nCourse map & GPX: https://www.tcssydneymarathon.com/marathon\nFlyover video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvj6hH6jTHo","last_race_info":"2026 race (August 30, 2026)\n\nWeather: about 9–10°C (48–50°F) at the 6:30am start, rising to about 19–21°C (66–70°F) by early afternoon. Dry with light winds; overcast early, sunny by late morning.\n\nWinners: Addisu Gobena (ETH) 2:04:42, a course record; Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:18:31. Wheelchair: Daniel Romanchuk 1:26:50, Manuela Schär 1:42:04.\n\nDemand: about 120,000 applications for roughly 40,000 runners.","upcoming_race_date":null,"promo_title":null,"promo_body":null,"promo_url":null,"promo_end_date":null,"organizer_name":"Pont3","organizer_url":null},{"id":"69a3e8f7-2a66-4ec0-af32-ea4cff903980","name":"Berlin Marathon","category":"Time Standard, Charity, & Lottery","location":"Berlin, Germany","entry_window_start":"2026-10-01","entry_window_end":"2026-11-12","drawing_date":"2026-12-01","notification_date":null,"race_date":"2027-09-26","weather":"50–65°F · Typical range","bg_image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1570862687812-8b841fad0733?w=800&q=80","description":"The Berlin Marathon is famous for its fast, flat course and is where numerous world records have been set. The race finishes at the iconic Brandenburg Gate. The course takes runners through the vibrant neighborhoods of Berlin with incredible fan support throughout.","qualification_info":"Lottery\nThe 2027 lottery opens October 1, 2026 and runs through about November 12, 2026, with results emailed at the beginning of December. Runners can enter individually or as a team of 2–3.\nEntry fee: €205. Minimum age: 18.\nDetails: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/registration/lottery\n\nFast Runners (qualifying times)\nRunners with a qualifying time register through the same lottery process. 2027 standards have not been announced; the 2026 standards were (marathon run in the previous two years on an AIMS-certified, USATF-listed, or Abbott WMM-ranked course):\nMen: under 2:45 (up to 44) • under 2:55 (45–59) • under 3:25 (60+)\nWomen: under 3:10 (up to 44) • under 3:30 (45–59) • under 4:20 (60+)\n\nCharity\nGuaranteed entry through official charity partners.\nDetails: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/registration/charity\n\nTour Operators\nTravel packages with guaranteed entry through official tour operators.\nDetails: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/registration/tour-operators\n\nOther routes\nAbbott WMM guaranteed entries, the Jubilee Club for long-time finishers (https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/registration/jubilee), and a separate process for wheelchair and handbike athletes.","slug":"berlin","created_at":"2026-02-16T20:03:38.235971+00:00","website_url":"https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/","apply_url":"https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/registration/lottery","course_info":"A single loop that starts on Straße des 17. Juni between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column and finishes through the Brandenburg Gate. It's the flattest of the majors and the fastest marathon course in the world, where numerous men's and women's world records have been set.\n\nStart (2026): Elite handbike 8:20am | Handbike and wheelchair 8:29am | Runners from 8:45am in six waves\nTime limit: 6 hours 15 minutes\nAid: water every few kilometres (from 5 km), with fruit, tea, and Maurten drink mix at 9, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 36 km, and Maurten gel at 27.5 km. You can leave your own drinks at designated stations.\n\nCourse map and GPX: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/your-race/course","last_race_info":"2026 race (September 27, 2026)\n\nWeather: about 13–14°C (55–57°F) at the start, warming to about 21–23°C (70–73°F) by early afternoon. Dry and mostly sunny with a light easterly breeze. (Preliminary figures from the day after the race.)\n\nWinners: Guye Adola (ETH) 2:02:50, a personal best and his second Berlin title, ahead of Gemechu Dida (2:03:19) and Gabriel Geay (2:03:59). Tigst Assefa (ETH) 2:11:04, a course record, 68 seconds off the world record after slowing in the last 2 km.","upcoming_race_date":null,"promo_title":null,"promo_body":null,"promo_url":null,"promo_end_date":null,"organizer_name":"SCC EVENTS","organizer_url":"https://www.scc-events.com"},{"id":"a53080d6-b8f3-4bae-a916-d1334cdad076","name":"Chicago Marathon","category":"Time Standard & Charity","location":"Chicago, IL, USA","entry_window_start":"2026-10-08","entry_window_end":"2026-10-29","drawing_date":"2026-12-08","notification_date":null,"race_date":"2027-10-10","weather":"45–60°F · Typical range","bg_image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1477959858617-67f85cf4f1df?w=800&q=80","description":"The Chicago Marathon features a fast, flat course that winds through 29 diverse neighborhoods. Starting and finishing in Grant Park along Lake Michigan, runners experience the city's stunning skyline and passionate neighborhood cheering sections.","qualification_info":"Application Period (guaranteed and non-guaranteed)\nRegistration: October 8, 2026 (8am CT) – October 29, 2026 (2pm CT) | Drawing results: December 8, 2026\nEntry fee: $250 (U.S. residents) / $260 (non-U.S. residents), plus processing fees. Payment due November 10 for guaranteed entrants, December 15 for drawing winners.\nMinimum age: 16. Apply: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/apply/\n\nNon-Guaranteed Drawing\nFree to apply; runners are picked at random from the full applicant pool.\n\nTime Qualifier (guaranteed)\nMarathon run January 1, 2025 – October 29, 2026 on a certified course. Standards (men / women and non-binary):\n16–34: 2:50 / 3:20 • 35–39: 2:55 / 3:25 • 40–44: 3:00 / 3:30 • 45–49: 3:10 / 3:40 • 50–54: 3:15 / 3:50 • 55–59: 3:25 / 3:55 • 60–64: 3:40 / 4:15 • 65–69: 3:55 / 4:30 • 70–74: 4:15 / 4:45 • 75–79: 4:30 / 5:00 • 80+: 4:50 / 5:20\n\nLegacy Finisher (guaranteed)\nFive or more Chicago Marathon finishes in the last 10 years (2016 onward; registered 2020 participants count as finishers).\n\nOther guaranteed routes\n• Chicago Distance Series: finish the 2026 Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Chicago 13.1, and Chicago Marathon\n• 2026 cancelled entry: runners who cancelled their 2026 entry under the standard policy (new entry fee required)\n• Pregnancy & postpartum: runners who cancelled under this exemption (entry fee waived)\n• High Performance Program: sub 2:25 men / 2:45 women and non-binary (masters: 2:35 / 2:50); capped at 300, closes September 1, 2027\n\nCharity\nRaise at least $2,500; entry fee $325 (U.S.) / $335 (non-U.S.). First-come, first-served through September 10, 2027.\nDetails: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/apply/charity-program/\n\nTour Operators\nTravel packages with guaranteed entry through official international tour partners, open December 8, 2026 – August 10, 2027.","slug":"chicago","created_at":"2026-02-16T20:03:38.235971+00:00","website_url":"https://www.chicagomarathon.com","apply_url":"https://www.chicagomarathon.com/apply/","course_info":"A looped course that starts and finishes in Grant Park (start at Columbus and Monroe Drive, finish on Columbus south of Balbo) and runs through 29 neighborhoods. It's famously flat and fast. Seven world records have been set here, and the only real climb is the short Roosevelt Road rise (\"Mount Roosevelt\") just before the finish.\n\nStart times (2026): Wheelchair 7:20am | Professional 7:30am | Wave 1 7:35am | Wave 2 8:00am | Wave 3 8:35am\nTime limit: 6 hours 30 minutes (about 15:00/mile)\nAid stations: 20, roughly every 1–2 miles, plus Maurten fuel at miles 12.4 and 18.1\n\nCourse map (2026): https://cdn.chicagomarathon.com/app/uploads/2026/08/24120143/26-BACM-COURSE-MAP-PRINT.pdf\nCourse details: https://www.chicagomarathon.com/event-info/participant-information/course/","last_race_info":"2025 race (October 12, 2025)\n\nWeather: about 11°C (51°F) and clear at the start, warming to about 16–18°C (61–64°F) by early afternoon. Dry and sunny with light southeasterly winds.\n\nWinners: Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:02:23, a Ugandan national record; Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:14:56. Wheelchair: Marcel Hug 1:23:20, Susannah Scaroni 1:38:14. Conner Mantz ran 2:04:43 for fourth, a North American record.\n\nDemand: a record 160,000 applications; about 53,000 runners expected to finish.","upcoming_race_date":"2026-10-11","promo_title":null,"promo_body":null,"promo_url":null,"promo_end_date":null,"organizer_name":"Chicago Event Management","organizer_url":null}]