David Sykes became the latest athlete to earn the Six Star Medal after crossing the Boston Marathon finish line on April 20, 2024. The medal, introduced in 2016, recognizes runners who have completed the six original World Marathon Majors – Tokyo, New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin and London. Sykes’ Boston time of 4:42:02 completed his personal tally of six major marathons, a feat achieveed over more than a decade of racing.

Boston Marathon Finish Completes Sykes’ Six-Major Quest

By finishing Boston in 4:42:02, Sykes secured the final piece of the Abbott World Marathon Majors puzzle. according to the source, his Boston performance capped a series that began with New York in 2010 and continued with Chicago (2018), Berlin (2019), Tokyo (2023) and London (2024).. The Six Star Medal is awarded only to those who have run all six original races, making Sykes part of a small, globally dispersed community of endurance athletes.

Timeline of Sykes’ Major Marathon Appearances

The runner’s marathon chronology spans fourteen years, highlighting both persistence and adaptability. He first tackled New York City in 2010, returned for Chicago eight years later, and then conquered Berlin in 2019. A pandemic‑related delay postponed his Boston attempt, prompting a Tokyo debut in 2023 before finally sealing the set with London in 2024. The source notes that completing London brought his total to six out of the seven possible races, underscoring the rarity of such a comprehensive record.

Six Star Medal: A Badge of Global Endurance Since 2016

Established by the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2016, the Six Star Medal honors athletes who have finished the six original marathon venues. As the source explains, the award is not tied to finishing times but to the sheer accomplishment of traveling to and completing each event. The medal has become a coveted symbol among marathon enthusiasts, signaling a runner’s dedication to the sport’s most historic courses.

Who Else Holds the Six Star Medal?

While the source focuses on Sykes, the Six Star Medal community remains exclusive, with only a few dozen runners worldwide having earned it. The lack of a publicly maintained roster means many recipients stay under the radar, but each addition reinforces the medal’s status as a benchmark of marathon mastery.

Remaining Gaps: The Unrun Seventh Race

Even after his London triumph, Sykes has yet to compete in the seventh race that occasionally rotates into the World Marathon Majors circuit. The source mentions this gap without specifying which event it is, leaving an open question about whether Sykes will aim for a “seven‑star” achievement in the future .