Six Star Marathon Runner Questions the Meaning of the Medal

Crossing the finish line at the London Marathon after 26 miles, a photographer captured the moment with a backdrop of Buckingham Palace. The image would later feature in social media posts and race highlights, but for one avid runner, the achievement felt hollow. Completing a sixth World Marathon Major—the coveted Six Star Medal—should have marked a triumphant milestone. Instead, the weight of two massive medals clinking together in the post-race crowd left her questioning the purpose of it all.

The Quest for the Six Star Medal

For years, the Abbott World Marathon Majors series loomed as a distant goal. The series began in 2006 with five marathons: Boston, New York City, London, Chicago, and Berlin. It wasn’t until the Tokyo Marathon was added as a major in 2013 that runners who completed all six would be awarded a special medal. By 2022, the author had conquered the U.S. majors, including a sub-3:00 performance in Chicago. A qualifying time under 3:10 secured her Berlin entry in 2023, while sponsors like Asics and New Balance provided bib opportunities for Tokyo and London, respectively.

The decision to attempt London in 2025 came with logistical challenges. Held six days after Boston, a race she’d completed annually since 2013, the timing strained her body and mind. Personal considerations also weighed heavily: she and her partner were undergoing IVF cycles, and the physical toll of marathons began affecting her menstrual cycle. Runner’s World Content Hype Director Aly Ellis said, “We’re at that age where we want to start families. You have to take these opportunities now.”

Earning the Stars, Losing the Spark

The Sydney Marathon’s addition as the seventh major in 2024 sparked renewed ambition. Abbott announced no Seven Star Medal, hinting at future possibilities. After Boston, she raced through Hyde Park, past red phone boxes and royal landmarks, to claim her sixth star.

A fleeting thought came to mind when it was her turn to pose for the photographer: Is this it? The Six Star hardware felt less meaningful amid growing race caps and commercialization. London’s 2026 ballot received over 1.1 million applications, with winners representing a tiny fraction. Major races now resemble music festivals, overcrowded sidewalks, sell-out shakeout runs, and pop-up stores, diluting the personal connection. The Sydney invitation arrived via email from Race Roster weeks later, its “Claim this registration” button a surprise after a lottery night where she doubted her chances.

Her training journal noted London’s emptiness despite two marathons in one week. The Six Star Medal’s significance faded as major race caps swelled, with London 2026’s 1.1 million applicants narrowing to 56,000 finishers. Overcrowded events, once exhilarating, now strained the personal touch. Running offered her something no ball sport could, a tangible measure of effort and endurance.

Financial realities loomed, with NYC’s $315 entry fee and travel costs compounding. Sponsorship aid had eased past barriers, but exclusivity grew. The Sydney bid, however, felt personal. For now, the path forward was clear: chase the finish line, not the metal. In the end, the journey and the experience were what truly mattered, and with that realization, she was ready to move forward.