Running a marathon is an impressive athletic feat that requires months of training and dedication. Finishing a marathon is an accomplishment in itself. However, for elite runners, simply finishing is not the goal. The ultimate prize is winning the race and claiming the victor’s rewards. Marathons like the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon offer hefty prize purses for the top finishers. The most prestigious of all is the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, which awards $1 million to any runner who can win all six major marathons in the same year. This has led many top marathoners to attempt the notorious “Run for a Million.”
What is the Run for a Million?
The Run for a Million refers to the attempt to win all six Abbott World Marathon Major races in a calendar year. These races are:
- Tokyo Marathon
- Boston Marathon
- Virgin Money London Marathon
- BMW Berlin Marathon
- Bank of America Chicago Marathon
- TCS New York City Marathon
The six marathons span the globe across Asia, Europe, and North America. They attract the best marathoners in the world. Winning even one of these races requires running a personal best time for most competitors. The Run for a Million challenge is to win each marathon consecutively in the same year. Only two people have ever accomplished this feat.
What are the qualifications to attempt the Run for a Million?
Attempting the Run for a Million requires meeting several demanding qualifications:
- Elite marathoner status – Runners must have a proven marathon personal best time that rivals the best in the world. For men, this is generally under 2:06-2:08. For women, under 2:20-2:22.
- Good health and fitness – Runners must be injury-free and in peak physical shape to undergo such a grueling challenge.
- Strong mental fortitude – Successfully running six marathons at an elite level in one year requires immense mental stamina.
- Good racing strategy – Runners must strategically pace themselves and save energy during the early races to avoid burning out.
- Sponsorship funding – Traveling to six World Marathon Majors requires significant funding support from sponsors.
In addition to these qualifications, runners must meet the entry standards and qualify for each race individually. This includes achieving cutoff times and meeting nationality or other requirements. logistics like visas and travel must also be arranged.
What are the entry requirements for each World Marathon Major?
Here are the key entry requirements for each of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors:
Tokyo Marathon
- Sub 2:19 for men/Sub 2:46 for women in previous marathon
- Citizenship/residence requirement for most participants
- Lottery entry system
Boston Marathon
- Sub 2:19 for men/Sub 2:45 for women in previous marathon
- US citizenship requirement
- Registration opens in September for following year’s race
Virgin Money London Marathon
- Sub 2:14 for men/Sub 2:34 for women in previous marathon
- No citizenship requirement
- Apply October-January for following April race
BMW Berlin Marathon
- Sub 2:19 for men/Sub 2:45 for women in previous marathon
- No citizenship requirement
- Registration opens in December for following September race
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
- Sub 2:23 for men/Sub 2:51 for women in previous marathon
- No citizenship requirement
- Lottery entry system
TCS New York City Marathon
- Sub 2:19 for men/Sub 2:47 for women in previous marathon
- No citizenship requirement
- Lottery entry system
As shown, each race has specific qualifying times and registration systems. Runners must strategically plan which race to run first to qualify for subsequent races.
Who has achieved the Run for a Million?
In the entire history of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, only two runners have ever achieved the coveted Run for a Million by winning all six races in a calendar year:
- Khalid Khannouchi – The American marathoner achieved the feat in 2002 at age 30.
- Lelisa Desisa – The Ethiopian runner won his sixth World Marathon Major in 2019 at age 29.
A few other elite marathoners have come close but were ultimately unable to claim all six titles. Haile Gebrselassie, Paul Tergat, Catherine Ndereba, and Paula Radcliffe all won multiple World Marathon Majors in a single year but fell short of the full six-race sweep.
How do runners strategically approach the Run for a Million?
Running six marathons at an elite level in one year requires careful strategy. Here are some key approaches:
- Begin training early – Build a base of 80-100 mile weeks starting at least 12 months before.
- Plan race schedule – Choose the best race order to qualify for subsequent races.
- Focus on recovery – Rest adequately between races and avoid injuries.
- Taper training – Reduce training volume 2-3 weeks before each race.
- Pace strategically – Don’t race all-out early and risk burning out.
- Fuel properly – Follow a disciplined marathon diet to stay nourished.
With careful planning, runners must balance the high volume training, travel, recovery, and actual racing required to have any chance of stringing together six excellent marathon performances.
What are the biggest challenges in completing the Run for a Million?
Aside from the staggering athletic challenge, runners face additional obstacles in completing the six Abbott World Marathon Majors in one year:
- Scheduling races – Choosing the right race order and spacing around other elite races.
- Qualifying – Making the entry standards for each highly competitive race.
- Preventing injuries – Staying healthy with the huge training and racing load.
- Travel demands – Managing extensive global travel across distant time zones.
- Maintaining form – Hitting peak shape for six key races in a short time span.
- Mental fatigue – Staying motivated through a grueling year-long challenge.
The Run for a Million requires almost superhuman physical and mental endurance. Truly a feat worthy of the massive prize purse.
Conclusion
Completing the Run for a Million by winning all six Abbott World Marathon Majors in one year requires an incredible amount of qualification, preparation, and execution. The athlete must be a world-class marathoner capable of stringing together six excellent performances across the globe in a short time span. It takes immense training volume, travel, race experience, injury prevention, and mental stamina. The right race scheduling, pacing strategy, and recovery are also essential. It is no surprise that only two individuals have managed to earn the $1 million prize purse. The Run for a Million will continue to test the limits of human endurance for years to come.