Wat are the World Marathon Majors?

The "Grand Slam"in marathon running that
was intoroduced in 2006,namely,Boston,
London,Berlin,Chicago and New York City marathons,
together with the Olympics and the World Championships.
Each athlete's performance in marathon
races over a span of two years is rated by points
to determine the overall champion.
In a nutshell, it is the sport's version of a world tour.
The top 5 runners in each of these races are given points-25 points
for top finish, 15 for second place,10 for third, 5 for fourth and 1 points
for 5th place finish.
The athletes classified into men's and women's categories compete
on total score, with cash prize of $500,000(￥58million) given to the
top runner in each category.
The World Marathon Majors organization amonng road race athletes
and to boost popular exposure to a level identical to tennis and golf
tours and series.

Boston Marathon　 April

Dating back to 1897, Boston Marathon is the world's oldest and
prestigious marathon race.
It draws roughly 20,000 runners each year, as well as nearly identical
umber of unnumbered runners. The reason is strict eligility requirement
for US applicants. The one-way corse starting from the outskirts of
Boston into the heart of the scenic city is crowded by cheering specators
who overflow to the point that only 2 or 3 runners can pass at some points.
World-class runners are invited to the race, but records are rarely
spectacular due to drastic difference in weather each and difficulty of the
course. There are avid japanese runners who paeticipate every year.

London Marathon Aplil

Started in 1981, the marathon attracted huge popularity in the United Kingdom,
with applications numbering several times more than capacity.
The immense response prompted the intoroduction of a unique scheme for charity
fundraising. The huge scale of contributions made for building sports facilities,
donating to organizations for disabled persons, buying back parks, etc., is
part of the reason for widespread support among londoners.
The course is an attractive one passing through the city's major tourist spots.
It also attracts top runners because of outstanding times, such as the women's
world record of 2:15:25 marked by native Paula Radcliff, and its large prize purse.

Berlin Marathon September

This race probably is most well known to the japanese, outside the Honolulu Marathon.
It was here that Naoko Takahashi became the first woman to break the 2:20 mark in
2001. Later, Takahashi's fellow japanese women runners Yoko Shibui and Mizuki Noguchi
marked Japan records in the Berlin race, and their performances were aired on japanese TV. However, the main objective of its organizers is to manage a large-scale but
high-quality city marathon.
The course crosses through parts of the city that were formerly West Germany
and East Germany and finishes at Brandenburg Gate.
The spectators that line the streets cheer on the runners avidly.

Chicago Marathon October

In recent years, it has attracted top runners with strong corporate sponsorship,
high-speed course and large prize purse.
World records have been marked by Khalid Khannouchi (men's race) and Paula Radcliffe(women's race) in the past.
Entries have grown every year,reaching 40,000 in 2006.
44% of the runners are women,with many of them in their teens and 20's.
The course goes through the commercial district of Chicago and becomes filled with
spectators. However, this race is "remote" for the Japanese, because it coincides with
the marathon season. The Japanese have not participated despite pleas from the
organizers to have Japan's top runners participate in the race.

New York City Marathon November

With 40,000 runners, 2 million spectators lining the course and 100 nationalities
participating, it is truly the world's largest marathon event.
It began 37 years ago,when the local jogging club that organizes the race began
a run circling the outer rim of Central Park four times.
The first run attracted 127 runners. Under the enthusiastic leadership,
planning skill and charisma of Fred Lebow, who had been race director from the start,
the New York City Marathon grew into what it is today and influenced birth of other
major marathon in other cities.
Mr.Lebow died of brain cancer in 1994.
Today, a statue has been built in his memory close to the goal of the New York City Marathon.