World Marathon Majors
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) is a championship-style competition for marathon runners that started in 2006. A points-based competition founded on six major marathon races recognised as the most high-profile on the calendar, the series comprises annual races for the cities of Tokyo,[1][2] Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. In addition, each edition of the series recognises and includes the results of the major global championship marathon held in that year, usually on a one-off lapped course. These races are the biennial IAAF World Championships Marathon, and the quadrennial Olympic Games Marathon.[3]
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| Sport | Marathon running |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| No. of teams | individual sport |
| Official website | www.worldmarathonmajors.com |
History
Each World Marathon Majors series originally spanned two full calendar years; the second year of a series overlapped with the first year of the next. Starting in 2015, each series began with a defined city race and ended with the following race in the same city. So, series IX started in February 2015 at the 2015 Tokyo Marathon and ended there in February 2016 at the 2016 Tokyo Marathon. Series X started at the 2016 Boston Marathon and finished at the 2017 Boston Marathon. Series XI started at the 2017 London Marathon and finished at the 2018 London Marathon.
It began being sponsored by Abbott Laboratories in 2015.[4] On April 26, 2017 Dalian Wanda Group Co., Ltd., one of the leading Chinese private conglomerates, announced a ten-year strategic partnership aimed at the continued growth and development of marathon events worldwide.
Beginning with Series X at the 2016 Boston Marathon wheelchair competitions were added for men and women.
At the end of each of the first 10 WMM series the leading man and woman each won $500,000, making a total prize of one million U.S. dollars. Beginning with Series XI, the prize structure was revised so that for men and women first place became $250,000, second place $50,000 and third place $25,000. In the wheelchair division the prize money for men and women is $50,000 (first), $25,000 (second) and $10,000 (third).
Scoring system
Athletes who competed in the marathons originally received points for finishing in any of the top five places (1st place: 25 points; 2nd place: 15 points; 3rd place: 10 points; 4th place: 5 points; 5th place: 1 point). Their four highest ranks over the two-year period were counted; if an athlete scored points in more than this number, the athlete's four best races were scored. To be eligible for the jackpot, an athlete had to compete in at least one qualifying race in each calendar year of the series.
In 2015, the scoring was revised (1st place: 25 points; 2nd place: 16 points; 3rd place: 9 points; 4th place: 4 points; 5th place: 1 point). The two highest ranks during the scoring period would be counted, with only the best two if more than that number.
For the first three series if there were equal top scores at the end of the competition the tiebreakers were head-to-head competition and, if necessary, a majority vote of the five WMM race directors. This happened in the 2007–08 women's competition.
Beginning in 2009–10 season, following best head-to-head record, the following tie-breakers were implemented, in descending order: the person who achieved his or her points in the fewest races, the person who won the most qualifying races during the period, the person with the fastest average time in their scoring races, and a majority vote of the six race directors. If the final circumstance is necessary, the race directors could award the title jointly.
Major marathons by year
The following marathons have been part of the series in each year:
Major marathons champions
Men's
Women's
Men's wheelchair
| Year | Tokyo Marathon | Boston Marathon | London Marathon | Berlin Marathon | Chicago Marathon | New York City Marathon |
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| 2016 | Was not part of WMM |  |
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Women's wheelchair
| Year | Tokyo Marathon | Boston Marathon | London Marathon | Berlin Marathon | Chicago Marathon | New York City Marathon |
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| 2016 | Was not part of WMM | |
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Winners by season
The winners by season listed below.[11]
Men's series winners
| Season | No. | Start event | Final event | Winner | Country | Points | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | I | 2006 Boston | 2007 New York City | Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot |  | 80 pts | [12] | |
| 2007–08 | II | 2007 Boston | 2008 New York City | Martin Lel | | 76 pts | [13] | |
| 2008–09 | III | 2008 Boston | 2009 New York City | Samuel Wanjiru | | 80 pts | [14] | |
| 2009–10 | IV | 2009 Boston | 2010 New York City | Samuel Wanjiru (2) | | 75 pts | [14] | |
| 2010–11 | V | 2010 Boston | 2011 New York City | Emmanuel Mutai | | 70 pts | [15] | |
| 2011–12 | VI | 2011 Boston | 2012 Chicago | Geoffrey Mutai | | 75 pts | [15] | |
| 2012–13 | VII | 2012 Boston | 2013 New York City | Tsegaye Kebede | .svg.png){kind=small} | 75 pts | [16] | |
| 2013–14 | VIII | 2013 Tokyo | 2014 New York City | Wilson Kipsang | | 76 pts | [17] | |
| 2015–16 | IX | 2015 Tokyo | 2016 Tokyo | Eliud Kipchoge | | 50 pts | [11] | |
| 2016–17 | X | 2016 Boston | 2017 Boston | Eliud Kipchoge (2) | | 50 pts | [11] | |
| 2017–18 | XI | 2017 London | 2018 London | Eliud Kipchoge (3) | | 50 pts | [18] | |
| 2018–19 | XII | 2018 Berlin | 2019 Berlin | Eliud Kipchoge (4) | | 50 pts |
Women's series winners
| Season | No. | Start event | Final event | Winner | Country | Points | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | I | 2006 Boston | 2007 New York City | Gete Wami | | 80 pts | ||
| 2007–08 | II | 2007 Boston | 2008 New York City | Irina Mikitenko |  | 65 pts | Tied with Gete Wami; but deemed winner by race directors' vote | [13] |
| 2008–09 | III | 2008 Boston | 2009 New York City | Irina Mikitenko (2) | | 90 pts | [13] | |
| 2009–10 | IV | 2009 Boston | 2010 New York City | Irina Mikitenko (3) | | 55 pts | [13] | |
| 2010–11 | V | 2010 Boston | 2011 New York City | Edna Kiplagat | | 60 pts | Awarded after a doping case against original winner (see notes) | [19] |
| 2011–12 | VI | 2011 Boston | 2012 Chicago | Mary Keitany | | 65 pts | [15] | |
| 2012–13 | VII | 2012 Boston | 2013 New York City | Priscah Jeptoo | | 75 pts | [16] | |
| 2013–14 | VIII | 2013 Tokyo | 2014 New York City | Edna Kiplagat (2) | | 65 pts | Awarded after a doping case against original winner (see notes) | [11] |
| 2015–16 | IX | 2015 Tokyo | 2016 Tokyo | Mary Keitany (2) | | 41 pts | Tied with Mare Dibaba & Helah Kiprop; winner by race directors' vote | [11] |
| 2016–17 | X | 2016 Boston | 2017 Boston | Edna Kiplagat (3) | | 41 pts | Awarded after a doping case against original winner (see notes) | [11] |
| 2017–18 | XI | 2017 London | 2018 London | Mary Keitany (3) | | 41 pts | Winner due to better head-to-head record versus Tirunesh Dibaba | [18] |
| 2018–19 | XII | 2018 Berlin | 2019 Berlin | Brigid Kosgei | | 50 pts |
- Notes
- Liliya Shobukhova (Russia) was the original winner in 2009–10 and 2010–11 (series IV and V), but she was disqualified from competition for a doping violation in April 2014 and all her results from 9 October 2009 have been annulled.[11][20]
- Rita Jeptoo (Kenya) won four races in the 2013–14 series but gave positive A and B samples in an out-of-competition test in September 2014. Her standings and the final results of the 2013–14 series have been determined at the completion of the due legal process and the outcome of an appeal. As a result, the Series VIII title has been awarded to Edna Kiplagat.[11]
- Edna Kiplagat (Kenya) was crowned women's Series X champion of the 2016–17 season following the doping investigation and legal process against Jemima Sumgong (Kenya), who won two races in 2016 but gave a positive sample in an out-of-competition test in February 2017.[11]
Wheelchair series winners
Beginning with Series X at the 2016 Boston Marathon wheelchair competitions were added for men and women.[11]
- 2016–17 (Series X):
- 2017–18 (Series XI):
- 2018–19 (Series XII):
Majors milestones
- Most victories – 9, Eliud Kipchoge (men); 7, Mary Keitany (women)
- Most scoring races – 13, Tsegaye Kebede, Wilson Kipsang (men); 14, Edna Kiplagat, Mary Keitany (women)
- Most lifetime scoring points – 240, Eliud Kipchoge (men); 234, Mary Keitany (women)
- Youngest winner – 20 years 281 days, Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (men); 20 years, 253 days, Xue Bai (women)
- Youngest point scorer – 18 years 302 days, Tsegaye Mekonnen (men); 19 years 233 days, Ayaka Fujimoto (women)
- Oldest winner – 38 years 350 days, Meb Keflezighi (men); 38 years 207 days, Constantina Diță (women)
- Oldest point scorer – 41 years 4 days, Ruggero Pertile (men); 41 years 99 days, Krista DuChene (women)
- Nation, most winners – 52, Kenya (men); 35, Kenya (women)
Six star finishers
Six star finishers are marathoners who have completed all 6 of the World Marathon Majors. In 2016 following the Tokyo Marathon a Six Star Finisher Medal was introduced[21] In July 2018 a "Reach for the Stars" campaign was launched wherein a runner could claim a star for each WMM race completed. The system allows runners to create a profile, search for their ‘stars’ and add them to their page.[22]
Following the WMM Series XI in April 2018, the verified total of Six Star Finishers was 3,786.
See also
Notes
- The 2012 New York Marathon was originally scheduled for 4 November, but cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.[5]
- The 2020 Boston Marathon was originally scheduled for 20 April, then postponed to 14 September and later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
- Postponed from 26 April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The 2020 Berlin Marathon was originally scheduled for 27 September, but cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany to prevent large gatherings.[7]
- The 2020 Chicago Marathon was originally scheduled for 11 October, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
- The 2020 New York City Marathon was originally scheduled for 1 November, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]
- Postponed from 2 and 9 August due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]
References
- McCracken, Amanda. "World Marathon Majors 2014 Season Kicks Off in Japan". Running Times. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- Belson, Ken. "Tokyo Will Be Added as Sixth Major Marathon". New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- How It Works. World Marathon Majors. Retrieved on 2011-11-07.
- "ABBOTT CELEBRATES THE POWER OF HEALTH AND ACHIEVEMENT AS FIRST-EVER TITLE SPONSOR OF WORLD MARATHON MAJORS". World Marathon Majors. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
- Belson, Ken. "After Days of Pressure, Marathon Is Off". New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- Waller, John. "The 2020 Boston Marathon has been canceled". Boston.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Futterman, Matthew (21 April 2020). "Berlin Marathon Is Canceled as Germany Extends Ban on Large Events". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- Horng, Eric (13 July 2020). "Chicago Marathon 2020 cancelled due to COVID-19, refunds offered by organisers". WLS-TV. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- "2020 TCS New York City Marathon, Scheduled for November 1, Is Canceled Due to Coronavirus-Related Health and Safety Concerns".
- "IOC, IPC, TOKYO 2020 ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCE NEW DATES FOR THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020". International Olympic Committee. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- "Previous Champions".
- Ekstrom, Sharon. "UP CLOSE & PERSONAL --". Marathon Guide. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- Musumba, Chris. "Wanjiru on course to win World Marathon Majors". The East African. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- Larkin, Duncan (2010-11-09). "Wanjiru and Shobukhova Win World Marathon Majors". Competitor. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- Komen, Jonathan (15 April 2014). "Hunt on for WMM cash: Kenya dominate quest for Marathon Majors jackpot". The Standard. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- Lotsbom, Chris (2013-11-03). "Man Among Boys Geoffrey Mutai Wins 2013 ING NYC Marathon, Kebede Wins $500,000 World Marathon Majors Title". Letsrun.com. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- "Wilson Kipsang Wins 2013-2014 World Marathon Majors Series Title". World Marathon Majors. Missing or empty
|url=(help) - "Leaderboards".
- "World Marathon Majors statement". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-08-06.
- "Liliya Shobukhova to be stripped of World Marathon Majors titles". 2015-08-06.
- http://running.competitor.com/2016/02/news/the-crown-jewel-of-race-medals-world-marathon-majors-debuts-six-star-finisher-medal_146296
- https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/news-media/latest-news/runners-invited-to-reachforthestars/
