71‑year‑old Canadian runner David Sykes completes Abbott World Marathon Majors at Boston Marathon

David Sykes, a 71‑year‑old runner from the Cowichan Valley in British Columbia, crossed the finish line of the 130th Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026, securing the Six Star Medal for completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors. The medal recognises athletes who finish the original six major marathons – Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. Sykes joins roughly 1,200 Canadians to achieve the feat.

He previously finished New York (2010), Chicago (2018), Berlin (2019), Tokyo (2023) and London (2024). He also ran the Sydney Marathon in August 2025, the seventh major added to the series. Sykes trains four days a week with the Ceevacs Roadrunners and began serious running in his early fifties. He said he runs “because it’s a goal to achieve” and enjoys “the experience of seeing the world.” He now aims for a nine‑race medal, targeting upcoming major‑certified races in Cape Town (May 24, 2026) and Shanghai (2027).