For many runners, the World Marathon Majors represent the pinnacle of racing. These six (now seven) iconic races take us through some of the most well-known cities in the world. But long before marathons and city streets, these lands had caretakers—Indigenous communities who lived, thrived, and continue to exist today.
As runners, we often talk about respecting the sport, the course, and the training. What if we also took a moment to respect the land beneath our feet?
The Indigenous Lands of the World Marathon Majors
Each World Marathon Major is run on lands with deep cultural and historical significance. Here’s a look at the traditional lands each race takes place on, along with words from Indigenous leaders that remind us of the connections between land, history, and community.
Tokyo Marathon (Japan)
Land: Musashino Plain, historically home to the Ainu people
"The land teaches us who we are. We must return to its wisdom." – Ainu Elder
Boston Marathon (USA)
Land: Massachusett, Wampanoag, and Nipmuc lands
"Our footprints are woven into the land. We walk in the memory of our ancestors." – Cedric Cromwell, former Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag
London Marathon (UK)
Land: Originally inhabited by Celtic tribes like the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni
"Our heritage flows through the rivers and lands of these Isles." – Manda Scott, author and expert on Celtic Britain
Berlin Marathon (Germany)
Land: Home to ancient Germanic and Slavic tribes, including the Suebi and Semnones
"The ground beneath our feet holds stories as old as the forests." – Sorbian oral history
Chicago Marathon (USA)
Land: Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Odawa, Miami, Ho-Chunk, and Sauk and Fox lands
"Every river, every prairie, carries our songs, our stories." – Potawatomi Elder Reginald White
New York City Marathon (USA)
Land: Lenapehoking, the homeland of the Lenape people
- Staten Island: Raritan subgroup of the Lenape
- Brooklyn & Queens: Canarsee and Rockaway Lenape
- Manhattan: Wecquaesgeek Lenape (known for calling the island "Mannahatta")
- The Bronx: Wecquaesgeek and Siwanoy bands of the Lenape
"To honor the land is to honor the spirit of all those who came before." – Chief Dwaine Perry, Ramapough Lenape Nation
Sydney Marathon (Australia)
Land: Gadigal land of the Eora Nation
"Country is central to our identity; it sustains our culture and people." – Aunty Fran Bodkin, D'harawal Knowledge Holder
Why This Matters
Recognizing the Indigenous lands we run on isn’t about guilt or politics. It’s about respect. As runners, we celebrate endurance, resilience, and connection to the places we train and race. Indigenous communities have embodied those same values for generations.
Land acknowledgments aren’t just words. They’re an opportunity to deepen our understanding, support Indigenous-led initiatives, and show up in ways that make a difference.
Taking Action
- Learn about the lands you run on. Look into the Indigenous history of your local trails, routes, and race courses.
- Support Indigenous voices and organizations. Seek out and share resources from Indigenous leaders and groups working on land preservation, cultural education, and racial equity in running.
- Incorporate land acknowledgments in your running spaces. If you're a coach, club leader, or race organizer, consider how you can bring awareness to Indigenous lands in meaningful ways.
As an Indigenous running and strength coach, I believe in training with purpose. That means recognizing not just our goals and paces, but the deeper connections that make running meaningful. If you're looking to train with intention, respect your body, and honor the spaces you move through, I’d love to work with you.
Reach out, follow along, and let’s run with purpose—on land that holds stories far older than any finish line.