Frater completes the World Marathon Majors
The Abbott World Marathon Majors, originally known as the World Marathon Majors, is a championship-style competition for marathon runners that started in 2006. It comprises six annual races for the cities of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. Frater Steven Yearwood started his World Majors journey in 2012 when he signed up for the New York City Marathon. At the time, not imagining that he would continue to run all around the world in the years following.
Speaking of the events, Frater Yearwood shares, “Running marathons for me has changed my life in so many ways. Like a marathon course, life can have its challenges. Some miles are easier than others and if we stay focused and persevere, crossing the finish line towards our goals is the ultimate reward.”
Frater Yearwood had previously not competed in long distance running but decided to complete the New York Marathon as it had become a “bucket list” item for him. In order to build up to the marathon, he began with a 5k in Harlem in August of that year and a few weeks later, decided that it was the right time to sign up for the marathon.
That year, about a week before the race was set to be held, Hurricane Sandy devastated the NYC metro region. The marathon was eventually canceled as a result. Yearwood explains, “With the marathon being canceled and being fully trained to run one, I was determined to cross any finish line. I ended up doing a 5k in the Bronx two weeks after marathon Sunday.”
Frater Steven opted to move forward with the NYC Marathon again in 2013. This time, he decided to also participate in the New York Road Runners’ 5 borough series. Competing at different distances in the different parts that make up the city.
Frater Yearwood ran the race with Fred's Team. A group that is affiliated with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as his grandfather ultimately passed away due to pancreatic cancer – dedicating this race to him.
During this time he learned about the World Majors and decided to keep running. After moving to California, he decided to try for the Tokyo Marathon.
“The race was just what I thought it was going to be. It was so amazing to be in one of the world’s largest and most iconic cities. Tokyo till this day is still my fastest run and I'm still determined to break this time,” he shared.
After Tokyo, he was set on completing the other majors. Next, he signed up for Chicago and Berlin. He completed Berlin and Chicago the same year as Tokyo. Following those, he was excited to get a spot in The Boston Marathon through Good Samaritans Suicide prevention. Dedicating this run to a friend from college that took their own life. Similar to the New York Marathon, this run also had meaning for Frater Yearwood.
He added, “The marathon has so much history to it that you feel it when you are on course. The Boston marathon is part of American culture and if you ever get the chance to get a bib for it, don't let it pass you by.”
2016 consisted of the Boston - London challenge. Boston is held on Patriots day, the third Monday every April and the London Marathon is held that Sunday, 6 days later. The back to back races prove challenging for many competitors but he was able to complete them.
“I will never forget finishing London because it was the end of a world journey,” he admitted.
Visit the World Majors website to see Frater Yearwood’s listing as a Six Star Finisher.