In the world of marathon running, there is huge prestige to the Abbott World Marathon Majors. For me as a runner, it is the ultimate bucket list.

My large 2026 goal is to move significantly closer to that Six Star Finisher medal, I have decided to challenge myself with three destination marathons. While the training is (and will continue to be) gruelling and the costs (particularly for Tokyo) astronomical, the joy and sense of achievement attained on crossing that marathon finish line makes it all worth it.

I have committed to three marathons this year, two international majors and one local marathon major candidate, each taking me a step closer to that long-term dream of the six star medal and ultimately the planned nine-star medal.

The 2026 Schedule

1. Tokyo Marathon (01 March 2026)

I’ll be starting this marathon journey in Tokyo, a course known for its iconic route through historic and modern Tokyo districts.

My path to this start line was a bit of a whirlwind. I chose this race first because I was fortunate enough to get an entry through the One Tokyo Global membership ballot, an entire year earlier than I originally planned. In the world of Major Marathons, where you could apply for many, many years and not get anywhere, getting that surprised ballot result an entire year early feels like a sign to lean into the challenge.

Focus: Surviving the 7-hour time difference (Bring on the Jet Lag!)

2. Cape Town Marathon (24 May 2026)

My home turf Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate race. Getting a 2025 sponsored entry after the cancellation of last year’s race; this is Cape Town’s redemption and the race where I currently have my marathon PB.

This run is a chance to race familiar roads, supported by a local crowd, and another test of my recovery capacity being relatively soon after Japan. Plus, there is no better recovery than a post-race coffee and croissant at Jasons Bakery in Sea Point.

Focus: Handling the elevation and seeing if I can match my previous PB attempt.

3. Berlin Marathon (27 September 2026)

The final run for the year before I start planning 2027. Berlin is famously flat, incredibly fast, and supposedly carries an electric atmosphere. With Tokyo and Cape Town in the bag and giving Berlin a full and focused training plan, I hope to it will be a race where I can push the limits of my legs on the world-record-breaking streets, or maybe I will be happy to just finish the race after a tough year of running.

Focus: Raw speed and hitting that maybe getting that sub 3:40:00 goal.

Reflections on the Road Ahead

This journey is about enjoying travel and exploring streets around the world making up for lost travel time (I was supposed to travel overseas back in 2020 – thanks COVID!). I am also very lucky to have my partner joining me on these courses. Our paces and finish times differ, but we remain each other’s primary support system through the training blocks and finish lines.

Each race represents a chapter: Tokyo’s start, Cape Town’s embrace, and Berlin’s exploration. I know that training is never perfect, there will be exhausted mornings and heavy legs, but there will also be those amazing sunrises and sunsets (running in a hot climate does often dictate running times) and the simple, hard-earned reward of a good cup of coffee at the end of the run.

So let the year unfold. Three marathons. Many miles. The start of a long journey. I’ll see you at the start line, somewhere along the way, or at the finish.