My Story
"I'm Denny Bulman, and I'm running the 8 most prestigious marathons on earth."
“Running is therapy. It keeps your mind strong, it keeps your mental health in check, and your head clear.”
The Origin
I got into running training for boxing fights, in an attempt to lose weight and strengthen my legs. It ended up being enjoyable and once I got in the swing of it, I got addicted. When I stopped boxing, I found half marathons and marathons as my new focus and made a goal to chase all of the world's major marathons, meaning travelling the world and keeping fit.
The Grind
My training is always based on a day-by-day approach. Ideally, I'd like to get it done early, but it's all work-dependent. A normal day for me is a one-hour gym session or cardio session during the day, then work after 6pm. Depending on how busy work is will depend on what happens the following day.
I normally do a leg weights session on a Monday, run on Tuesday, then just alternate weights and cardio five days a week. One day rest, and then one race day, normally a Sunday.
The Mission
After doing a few half marathons and marathons, I researched the world's majors and it seemed like a big challenge that no one I know has ever completed. I'd love to get a fantastic achievement done that very few people in the world have accomplished.
Chicago, London and Sydney: done. Next up is the EDP Lisbon Marathon on Saturday 10 October 2026, my third European Marathon Classic. For the Majors I'm going for Berlin and New York through the ballots, with Tokyo, Cape Town and Boston still to come. 3 stars earned, 5 to go.
Dates, entries and plans can change. Ballots, bookings, injuries, illness, cancellations and new races all play a part. I send a voice note every week and this site follows it.
London 2026
April 2026. London Marathon completed in 4:03:53. My second Abbott World Major and a new personal best. Running my home major for Breast Cancer Now was incredibly emotional. Thank you to everyone who supported the journey.
Star 2 earned. PB smashed. £2,620 raised. 🏅
Second World Major • Home Major for Breast Cancer Now
Footnote worth having: that was the morning Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30, the first sub-two-hour marathon in a record-eligible race, and Tigst Assefa took the women's-only world record in 2:15:41. Same course, same day, same weather. I was somewhere behind them, having the best run of my life.
Sydney 2026
30 August 2026. Over the Harbour Bridge with the road closed, down through the city, and home at the Opera House in 4:07:20. One of 36,255 finishers. Third star, and the furthest I've ever travelled to earn one.
Sydney was added to the Majors in November 2024 and ran its first edition as one in 2025, so the field is still growing. 120,000 people applied for a place this year. It felt like a city that had just worked out what it had.
Star 3 earned. 4:07:20. 🏅
Third World Major • Harbour Bridge to Opera House
The Goalposts Moved
In June 2026, Abbott confirmed Cape Town as the eighth World Marathon Major. Its first race as a Major runs on 23 May 2027. The list has now grown twice since I started chasing it, Sydney in 2024 and Cape Town in 2026. When Cape Town landed, I was only on two.
Here's the part people get wrong: there is no seven-star or eight-star medal, and there isn't going to be one. The Six Star medal stays exactly as it is, for the original six. Finish all eight and you go on the Eight Star Hall of Fame instead. I'm doing all eight anyway. Adding a city to the list was never going to be the thing that stopped me.
The Hardest Part
It's not cheap. Running equipment, travelling places, and making it there on time. It's a challenge to fit everything in. Getting long runs in midweek is tough due to work and the time you have.
I've had a bad calf and got runner's knee on the same leg coming into this year, but I've been managing so far. No major injuries thankfully. I try to take my time and listen to medical advice.
Life Outside Running
To switch off, I like to watch films, football, or a TV series. I like to go on days out with family, or just relax in the evenings.
I like to play and watch football, and I still do the odd bit of boxing training.
Lola is my Cavapoo. She's done a run with me before, and she's my biggest supporter.
To Anyone Thinking About Starting
“Do it. Start small, slowly, and gradually build up every day, small bit by small bit.”
Why I Need Your Support
The running isn't bankrolled by anyone. No big-money sponsor, no massive backing. Just me, my trainers and a mission. Every share, every follow and every brand that believes in this journey makes the next star possible.