Ladders

From where you are to the race you want

Most runners get stuck because a race needs a qualifier they should have run a year earlier. These are the steps, in order.

First marathon to Boston The Six Stars in three years All 50 states Seven continents

2 to 4 years

First marathon to Boston

Boston is the one Major most people earn with a time. The catch: hitting your qualifying standard isn't enough anymore. You need to beat it by a margin that changes every year.

  1. Run your first marathon to finishPick a flat, cool, well-supported race. The goal is a clean finish and a baseline time, not a qualifier.Year 1
  2. Find your gapLook up the qualifying standard for the age group you'll be in on race day, not today. Boston uses your age on the day of the race.After race 1
  3. Build to a fast, certified courseTrain a full 16-week block and race a flat course in cool weather. Your qualifier must be on a certified course inside the qualifying window.Year 2
  4. Beat the standard by more than you thinkFor the 2027 race, accepted qualifiers needed 5:17 under their standard. Aim for at least 6 minutes under.Year 2 to 3
  5. Register in SeptemberQualifier registration runs for one week in September. The fastest runners relative to their standard get in first until the field is full.Every September
  6. Know the backup doorsFor 2027 the B.A.A. added a random draw of about 1,000 spots for runners who beat their standard but missed the cutoff. Charity entries are the other way in.If you miss

3 years

The Six Stars in three years

Six lotteries on six calendars is how people take a decade to finish. Plan the order so every window you need lines up.

  1. Enter every draw every yearTokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York all run draws. Enter all of them each cycle. Most only charge you if you're picked.Every year
  2. Lock in Chicago and Berlin firstThey're the most forgiving draws, and Chicago has time-qualifier entry if you're fast enough for your age group.Year 1
  3. Use tour operators for the hard onesOfficial tour partners sell guaranteed entries with a hotel package for Tokyo, London and Berlin. It costs more, but it's certain.Year 1 to 2
  4. Find your way into New YorkNew York has guaranteed entry for time qualifiers, the NYRR 9+1 program for local runners, charity spots and the drawing.Year 1 to 2
  5. Save Boston for when you've qualifiedRun your qualifier at one of the other Majors or a fast fall race. See the Boston ladder.Year 2 to 3
  6. Add the newer starsSydney and Cape Town now count as Majors too. Add them once the original six are done.Year 3+

2 to 10 years

All 50 states

The hard part isn't the running. It's the routing. Most people finish years sooner once they start stacking races by region.

  1. Start with the states you can drive toKnock out everything within a few hours of home first. It's cheap and builds the count fast.Year 1
  2. Stack double weekendsNeighboring states often hold races on back-to-back days, especially in New England and the Plains. A Saturday and a Sunday race is two states in one trip.Every year
  3. Plan by season, not by stateNorthern states race in summer and fall. The South and Southwest race in winter and spring. Build each year around the weather.Every January
  4. Save the far ones for bucket-list racesHawaii and Alaska are big trips, so make them count. Honolulu has no time limit and Anchorage's Mayor's Marathon is a classic.When you can
  5. Track it as you goTick each state on the 50-states map. Your count shows up on My list.Ongoing

3 to 6 years

Seven continents

Six continents you can do on your own schedule. Antarctica sets the timeline, so book it first.

  1. Book Antarctica firstAntarctica marathons run on expedition ships with limited spots, and they sell out years ahead. Get on the list before you plan anything else.Year 1
  2. Use the Majors for four continentsLondon or Berlin for Europe, Tokyo for Asia, Sydney for Australia, and Chicago, Boston or New York for North America.Years 1 to 4
  3. Cape Town for AfricaCape Town became a World Major in 2026, so it counts twice: a continent and a star.Any year
  4. Rio for South AmericaRio is flat and runs in the Southern Hemisphere winter, when it's cooler.Any year
  5. Mark them doneYour continent count on My list fills in as you mark races done.Ongoing

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