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The Majors

Marathon Majors Cost Calculator

Pick your majors, pick entry or charity, and see a rough cost picture built only from each race's own published fee, currency by currency.

FAQ

How much does it cost to run all 8 marathon majors?+

There is no single honest total because the 8 majors publish entry fees in five different currencies. Roughly: Tokyo about ¥23,300, Boston $260, London £79.99 to £225, Sydney AU$280 to AU$330, Berlin €205, Chicago $250 to $260, New York $255 to $315, and Cape Town has not published a race fee yet (it charges R5 just to apply). Converting all of that into one number would mean inventing an exchange rate, so this tool totals within each currency instead.

Is a charity place more expensive than a normal entry?+

Yes, in every major that publishes a charity minimum. Boston's charity minimum is $5,000+ against a $260 entry fee, and London's is £2,000 to £3,000 against £79.99 to £225. Charity minimums are floors, not caps: most charity partners expect you to raise more than the stated minimum.

What is the cheapest marathon major to enter?+

It depends on the currency, since there is no cross-currency ranking without a conversion this tool deliberately avoids. Within their own currencies, Berlin's €205 and Boston's $260 are among the lowest headline entry fees. Tokyo's ¥23,300 looks like the biggest raw number, but yen and dollars are not the same unit.

Do you pay the entry fee even if you lose the ballot or lottery?+

It varies by race. Tokyo and Berlin only charge if you are drawn in the lottery. Boston charges on acceptance once your qualifying time or application is confirmed. London, Sydney, Chicago and New York charge at the point of entry into the ballot or application, regardless of outcome.

How much fundraising do marathon major charity places usually need?+

Published minimums vary widely: Chicago $1,750+, Berlin €1,500+, Sydney AU$1,500+, Tokyo about ¥100,000, London £2,000 to £3,000, New York $2,500 to $5,000, and Boston $5,000+ through the B.A.A.'s official charity program. Cape Town has not published a charity minimum yet.

Is Cape Town's marathon entry fee published yet?+

Not the full race fee. Cape Town currently charges R5 just to apply, with the actual race fee charged only if you are successful, and the amount is not yet stated. Its charity minimum is also not yet published, with charity entries opening June 26, 2026.