To celebrate 20 years of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, organisers have joined forces with their Official Tour Operator,Marathon Tours & Travel, to launch the World Tour– an incredibly exciting competition that gives one runner guaranteed race entry, accommodation, expert global hosting and $10,000 travel budget to run every Abbott World Marathon Major, the ultimate global marathon achievement.
The competition will see one lucky winner receive entry, accommodation and full on-the-ground support for all six original Abbott World Marathon Majors – Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, TCS London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon – completing their Six Star journey along the way.
But the adventure doesn’t end there, the lucky winner will also receive entry to the newly AbbottWMM-qualified TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, with the potential to race in both the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and Shanghai Marathon, should their inclusion be confirmed – unlocking the possibility of chasing all nine stars worldwide.
It’s safe to say that this is no ordinary competition. Instead of filling out a form, applicants are challenged to “show, not just tell” why they deserve to win the World Tour.
Using social media, entrants are invited to answer one very simple question: “Why should you go on the World Tour?”
Applicants are encouraged to be as creative as possible – whether that’s showcasing a curiosity for global running culture, a passion for community, an ability to capture emotion on film, or a talent for bringing places and people to life. Importantly, the competition looks to hear more about the stories you’ll be able to tell along the way, not in the speed of your finish times. This means that applicants do not need to be elite athletes or chasing personal bests – what matters most is a genuine love for running, people and storytelling.
From start lines to finish-line celebrations, the prize package goes above and beyond and ensures that the lucky winner will be supported every step of the way with:
● Accommodation at every event
● Welcome receptions, shake-out runs, pre-race dinners and post-race celebrations
● Transport to the expo and start line
● On-the-ground hosting at every race
● A $10,000 global travel budget to support international flights and travel
Jeff Adams, President of Marathon Tours & Travel, said:
“This is the most exciting prize we’ve offered in our 46-year history. As the Official Tour Operator for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, we are proud to make this possible – to offer one runner guaranteed entry, global travel, full hosting and the chance to experience every World Marathon Major is truly unprecedented. The World Tour is about more than just racing – it’s about connection, culture, community and the powerful stories that unfold when you travel the world through running. We cannot wait to see who steps forward to take on this incredible journey.”
Dawna Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors said:
“For 20 years, the Abbott World Marathon Majors has celebrated the very best of global marathon running – iconic races, extraordinary cities and inspiring runners. The World Tour competition captures the very essence of that spirit. By offering one runner the opportunity to experience every Major and to tell some inspiring stories along the way, supported every step of by ourselves and our fabulous partners at MTT, this will be a true celebration of the global running community.”
A judging panel of two inspiring marathon runners and industry-leading content creators will review all entries, select a shortlist and ultimately crown the World Tour winner:
The Judges
● Aubrey Mvula – a Six Star finisher-in-waiting, set to receive his medal in Tokyo this March
● Liz Newcomer – an 11-time marathon runner and London-based content creator who has taken nearly two hours off her marathon PB
Entries open on Tuesday 16th December 2025 and close on Friday 9th January 2026 (23:59 EST)
To apply:
- Create and post a video on social media answering: “Why should you go on the World Tour?
- Tag @wmmajors and @marathontours using the hashtag #WorldTour
- Follow @wmmajors and your regional @marathontours account who are collabed in our launch posts.
- Post before the closing date, and ensure your post is public and remains live for the duration of the competition.
For more details and full competition rules visit the Abbott World Marathon Majors website.
For more information about Marathon Tours & Travel visit: www.marathontours.comTo learn more about the Abbott World Marathon Majors visit: https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com
