World Marathon Majors Series Scoring System

Athletes earn points by placing among the top five in Qualifying Races during the two-year period. Points are allocated following each race as follows:

The champions of the WMM Series will be the man and woman who score the greatest number of points from Qualifying Races during the two-year scoring period.


During each two-year scoring period, points from a maximum of four Qualifying Races will be scored. If an athlete earns points in more than four events, the athlete’s best four finishes will be scored. In order to qualify, an athlete must compete in at least one Qualifying Race during each calendar year of a scoring period.


In the event of a tie, the winner shall be determined using the following tie-breaker:


1. The person with the best head-to-head record during the period (including all Qualifying Races in the period, not just scoring races). Only the fact that one athlete finished ahead of the other will be taken into account
and not by how many places.


If there is still a tie, the following tie-breakers will be used in descending order until the tie is broken:


2. The person who has achieved his or her points in the fewest races.
3. The person who won the most Qualifying Races during the period.
4. The person with the fastest average time in their scoring races.
5. The person who the majority of the Race Directors of the five World Marathon Majors races determine to be the champion. In such circumstances, the Race Directors may decide to award the title jointly.


If an athlete starts a race but for any reason does not complete it, they shall for the purposes of 1 and 2 above be treated as having taken part in the event.

Copyright 2013 by the Boston Athletic Association and John Hancock Financial Services