TOKYO MARATHON TO HOST 2027 ABBOTTWMM MTT AGE GROUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Japan will be first Asian country to host the championship
- Runners can compete in more than 375 races to qualify for the championship
January 29, 2026
THE TOKYO MARATHON will host the 2027 Abbott World Marathon Majors Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championships (AGWC) on March 7 next year.
Tokyo becomes the first race in Asia to host the championships following London, Chicago, Sydney, New York City and Cape Town, who will stage the 2026 event in May.
Qualifying for 2027 is already underway, with the highest-ranked athletes in each age group set to receive invites once the qualifying window closes on September 30th 2026.
More than 375 races around the world comprise the Age Group World Rankings, with athletes earning positions in their age groups every weekend in a bid to finish the season in one of more than 2,000 qualifying places.
The total number of qualifying places for each age group will be confirmed in summer 2026.
“We are so excited to bring the championships to Tokyo,” said AbbottWMM CEO Dawna Stone.
“Runners in all age groups have performed in some incredible feats all over the world both in qualifying and at the championship races. Watching them compete within Tokyo’s amazing marathon will be a thrilling spectacle.”
Yasu Oshima, race director of the Tokyo Marathon said: “We are honored to welcome the Age Group World Championships in 2027, which is a special year for us as the 20th edition of the Tokyo Marathon. Marathon running is a popular sport for all ages in Japan and I look forward to seeing the world’s fastest age group athletes competing on our roads next March.”
Jeff Adams, President of Marathon Tours & Travel, said: “Japan’s deep-rooted running culture is an inspiration to athletes of all ages, and I look forward to seeing the world’s fastest age-group competitors take to the Tokyo streets next March. Hosting runners and their supporters for over 15 years has allowed us to curate a travel experience that honors this local passion, providing the specialized support and veteran expertise our clients need to excel on the world stage.”
More information about the Age Group World Championships can be found here.
Marathon Tours & Travel’s exclusive travel packages for Age Group Runners will be released over the coming months. Sign up here to be notified once on sale.
FAQS
What is the Age Group World Championship?
The AbbottWMM Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Championship is an event for athletes ages 40+ who qualify from the Age Group World Rankings. It has been held each year since 2021 within the TCS London Marathon (2021, 2022), the Bank of America Chicago Marathon (2023), the TCS Sydney Marathon (2024), and the TCS New York City Marathon (2025). The 2026 event takes place within the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
How do runners qualify?
Athletes must be registered at worldmarathonmajors.com to claim their rankings results and be eligible for an invitation to the Championship event.
There are two pathways to qualification for the 2027 championships.
- Finish in a qualifying position in your age group. Exact qualifying slots per age group will be announced in summer 2026
- Run the spring 2026 Global Marathon virtual race through the AbbottWMM Global Run Club. There are 200 places available through this route. Enter at globalrunclub.com
When do runners receive their invitations?
In a change to previous qualification process, there will be no automatic qualifying times used due to the high demand for places in Tokyo. For the 2027 championship, qualified athletes will be determined by their position in their Age Group World Ranking after the rankings close on September 30. Qualification confirmation will be sent in mid-October 2026.
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