Six Star Finisher
A runner who has completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors: Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, and Tokyo.
What is a Six Star Finisher?
A Six Star Finisher is someone who has completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. It's considered one of the ultimate achievements for recreational marathon runners.
The Six Majors
| Marathon | Location | Typical Date | Est. Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Boston | USA | April | 1897 |
| 🇬🇧 London | UK | April | 1981 |
| 🇩🇪 Berlin | Germany | September | 1974 |
| 🇺🇸 Chicago | USA | October | 1977 |
| 🇺🇸 New York | USA | November | 1970 |
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo | Japan | March | 2007 |
What You Get
Six Star Medal
Upon completing all six, you receive:
- 🏅 Special Six Star Finisher medal
- 📜 Certificate of completion
- 🎉 Recognition at future Major events
- 🌟 Lifetime bragging rights
The Journey Medals
As you progress, you earn:
- ⭐ One Star - 1 Major completed
- ⭐⭐ Two Star - 2 Majors completed
- And so on until...
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Six Star - All 6 completed!
The Challenge
Entry Difficulty
| Race | Entry Method |
|---|---|
| Boston | Qualify (BQ) or charity |
| London | Lottery (very competitive) or charity |
| Berlin | Lottery |
| Chicago | Lottery or guaranteed entry |
| New York | Lottery, time qualifier, or 9+1 program |
| Tokyo | Lottery (extremely competitive) |
Time Required
Most runners take 5-15 years to complete all six due to:
- Lottery odds
- Qualification requirements
- Travel logistics
- Recovery between marathons
Cost Breakdown (Approximate)
| Expense | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Entry fees | $1,000-2,500 total |
| Flights | $3,000-10,000+ |
| Hotels | $1,500-5,000 |
| Meals & transport | $1,500-3,000 |
| Total | $7,000-20,000+ |
Costs vary hugely based on where you live and travel style
Strategy Tips
Getting In
- Boston - Train to qualify (BQ)
- London - Enter lottery yearly, consider charity
- Berlin - Keep entering lottery
- Chicago - Lottery, legacy program, or guaranteed entry
- New York - 9+1 program (volunteer + run a NYRR race)
- Tokyo - Enter lottery, be patient (hardest to get into)
Order Considerations
- Start with the easiest to enter (often Chicago)
- Save Boston until you've qualified
- Plan Tokyo early (lottery is brutal)
Fun Facts
- 🏃 Tens of thousands have earned Six Star status
- 👵 Runners of all ages have completed it (including 80+!)
- ⏱️ Some speed demons complete all 6 in a single year
- 🌍 Six Star Finishers come from 100+ countries
Beyond Six Stars
Some runners chase even bigger goals:
- All 6 in one calendar year
- Multiple Six Stars (repeat completions)
- Seven Continents Marathon Club
- 50 States Marathon Club
Is It Worth It?
Pros
- 🌍 Travel to amazing cities
- 🎉 World-class race experiences
- 👥 Join a special community
- 🏆 Tangible lifetime achievement
Cons
- 💰 Expensive endeavor
- ⏰ Years-long commitment
- 😓 Lottery frustration
- ✈️ Carbon footprint of travel
The Six Star medal represents more than six races—it represents years of dedication, countless training miles, lottery patience, and the privilege of running through some of the world's greatest cities.
Six Star Finisher
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Related Terms
BQ (Boston Qualifier)
A marathon finish time fast enough to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon, the holy grail of amateur running.
PB / PR (Personal Best / Personal Record)
Your fastest time ever for a specific distance—the benchmark every runner chases.
Sub-3 (Sub-3 Hour Marathon)
Completing a marathon in under 3 hours—a major milestone separating recreational runners from serious amateur competitors.
Race & Results
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