I sat down with Dawna Stone – IRONMAN finisher, entrepreneur, and CEO of the Abbott World Marathon Majors—for the latest episode of The Future of Running. The full transcript is below.
Here’s what stuck with me most:
- The Six Star Medal Became a Movement
When Dawna took the helm in 2022, only a fraction of runners knew what the Six Star Medal was. Today, it’s a global badge of honor—with over 20,000 finishers and thousands more chasing the dream. It’s a symbol of dedication, determination, and the power of setting a big, bold goal. - Oceania Enters the Chat
Adding Sydney as the 7th Major was more than a milestone—it was a message. That the Majors are growing. That the world is watching. And that the future includes more continents, more runners, and more stories to tell. - The Nine Star Medal Is Coming
The Six Star Medal will always honor the original six, but a new era is on the horizon. Dawna confirmed a future Nine Star Medal is in the works—so runners eyeing Cape Town (and maybe Shanghai) better get ready. - Don’t PR Every Race—Just Show Up
The myth that every race needs to be a personal best? Dawna says let it go. From the elites to the back of the pack, the real magic is in showing up, soaking it in, and crossing the line - however long it takes. - Charity Is a Gateway
Dawna did her first major via lottery – but for thousands of runners, the path is charity. It's not just a bib – it's a mission. A way to give back while chasing something deeply personal. Cocktail nights, creative campaign – it all counts. - Gen Z Women Are Driving Growth
Women under 30 are the fastest-growing segment in marathon running. Gen Z isn’t just showing up – they’re reshaping the sport. - Regional Races Are the Lifeblood
With 380+ global partner races feeding into the Majors’ Age Group World Championships, the road to the big stage starts small. Local marathons fuel the pipeline – and Dawna’s team actively collaborates with race directors to elevate the entire sport. - Tech Is Changing the Game
From real-time glucose monitors to next-gen wearables, personalization is the future. Dawna even wore Abbott’s Lingo to learn how food order impacts blood sugar. The next wave of running tech? It’s coming faster than we think. - Mental Health Matters – Now More Than Ever
Running doesn’t just build endurance – it builds resilience. For Dawna and her family, it’s part of their mental health toolkit. And today’s runners, especially younger ones, understand that like never before. - This Job Is a Dream (and a Challenge)
From Wall Street to Kona to global race leader, Dawna still calls this her “dream job.” But it’s also the hardest job she’s had—coordinating cities, boards, and continents. The pressure is real. But so is the purpose.
This conversation reminded me that the future of running isn’t just fast – it’s inclusive, tech-powered, global, and deeply human.
Listen to the full episode on The Future of Running wherever you get your podcasts.
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Phil Dumontet
CEO, Brooksee
Phil Dumontet (00:02)
Hey everyone, welcome back to The Future of Running, the podcast where we explore what’s next in endurance—from local 5Ks to the world’s largest races. I’m Phil Dumontet: marathoner, entrepreneur, and CEO of Brooksee. As a Six Star Finisher and 2:42 marathoner, I’ve seen firsthand the power of the Majors.
My guest today is someone helping shape that global future: Dawna Stone. You may know her from The Apprentice, the pages of Women’s Running Magazine, or as the brand builder behind one of the largest marathon series in the country. Today, she leads the world’s most iconic races as CEO of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Since stepping into the role in July 2022, Dawna has overseen the addition of Sydney as the seventh Major—the first in Oceania—and helped advance Cape Town as Africa’s first potential Major. She also celebrated a Guinness World Record in Tokyo for Six Star Medal finishers, with over 3,000 runners completing the journey.
We’re recording just a week after the London Marathon, capping off an exciting April with two Majors in one month. Dawna, it’s such a pleasure to have you—welcome to The Future of Running.
Dawna Stone (01:05):
Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it.
Phil Dumontet (01:22):
You’ve had such a dynamic and wide-ranging career—from athlete to entrepreneur to global race leader. What inspired your path into the endurance world, and how did it ultimately lead to the Abbott World Marathon Majors?
Dawna Stone (01:35):
I’ve been an athlete my whole life. I swam Division I at UC Berkeley, often training 6–8 hours a day. Back then, running was our punishment when we messed up in the pool! But after college, I was working on Wall Street, and it was hard to find a pool—so I started running in Central Park and fell in love, from my first 5K all the way through my first marathon and eventually the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
Honestly, I still pinch myself every morning. This is my dream job. It’s not easy—it’s probably the hardest job I’ve ever had, between the travel, the board, and coordinating across so many countries. But I genuinely feel lucky every single day.
Phil Dumontet (02:35):
That’s amazing. What do you enjoy most about the role?
Dawna Stone (02:37):
Funny enough, the thing I thought I’d enjoy the least—the travel—has become one of the things I love the most. When I was first approached by a headhunter, I said no. I wasn’t looking to leave my previous role. I have two kids—now 15 and 17—and I was concerned about the travel. I was told it would be one week a month, and I talked to my ex-husband about managing that with the kids. He said yes... but spoiler: it’s not one week a month!
Still, I absolutely love visiting new places and meeting new people. The travel has become one of the most fulfilling parts of the job.
Phil Dumontet (03:34):
That’s inspiring. I have two little ones—4½ and 16 months—and had the same concern stepping into a more demanding role. But you’re right: it’s an energizing part of the work, especially when you’re passionate about the mission.
So clearly, running has evolved from a personal passion to a full-on career for you. For those unfamiliar with the backstory, can you walk us through how the Abbott World Marathon Majors got started—and how it’s structured today?
Dawna Stone (04:38):
Absolutely. It began with just five races—Tokyo wasn’t part of the group until 2013. Initially, it was all about the elite field and clean sport—supporting top athletes and anti-doping efforts. That’s still important, but once Tokyo joined and Abbott came on as title sponsor, we expanded our mission to include the everyday runner: the middle and back of the pack.
When I joined, I was very clear that my strength wasn’t elite athletics—it was about growing the sport and building community. Each race still has its own elite athlete coordinator, but our collective focus has really broadened.
With six races, the idea of the Six Star Medal journey was born. Now, we even have Olympic gold medalists chasing that medal, which is incredible. We also work with more than 380 partner races globally that feed into our Age Group World Championships—so it’s about much more than just the six or seven marquee races.
Phil Dumontet (06:23):
That’s amazing. And you’ve clearly elevated the series from an elite-only focus to a global community movement. You’re coming up on your three-year anniversary—what are you most proud of so far?
Dawna Stone (06:54):
Definitely the growth in brand awareness around the Six Star Journey. When I started, relatively few people knew about it. In Tokyo, we celebrated our 20,000th Six Star finisher. Since then, Boston and London each had over 2,000 runners earn their medal. It’s not an easy goal—getting into all six races is tough—but that’s what makes it meaningful.
Some runners complete all six in a single year, which is wild. Others take decades. Either way, it’s such a powerful accomplishment.
Phil Dumontet (08:01):
I’m in the latter group—it took me years, but what a journey. And you're right: just getting into the races can be the hardest part. What’s next for the Six Star journey—and how do you see the vision expanding with seven, eight, maybe even nine Majors?
Dawna Stone (10:00):
Great question—and one we get all the time. The Six Star Medal will always represent the original six races. We didn’t want to change the goalposts for someone who’s already halfway there. That said, our next milestone will be a Nine Star Medal. Some folks ask, “What about seven? What about eight?” But the next official level will be nine.
Sydney joining made the vision real for people. Cape Town is currently in Stage 2 of our evaluation process, and we’re hopeful they’ll meet the 104-point criteria again in 2025 to become the eighth Major in 2026. And we continue to monitor all our races—existing and candidates—for consistency.
Phil Dumontet (12:01):
So the Six Star medal stays as-is—but now we can look ahead to a future Nine Star Medal, with potential additions like Cape Town and Shanghai. Amazing.
That said, access can still be a major hurdle for many runners. What encouragement would you offer to those still dreaming of their stars—especially now that we’re talking about seven, eight, and nine?
Dawna Stone (12:40):
My biggest advice is: don’t give up. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, the odds can feel long—London had over a million applicants in their last ballot. But there are paths in, whether it’s time-qualifying, a lottery, or charity.
The charity route is powerful. It’s not easy—asking for money is tough—but it’s also meaningful. These races raise millions for important causes. And there are creative ways to fundraise, from hosting coffee hours to cocktail nights. Think outside the box.
Phil Dumontet (14:13):
Absolutely. I did five of my six majors through charity, mostly with Team For Kids. Like running itself, the hardest part is just getting started—and then the momentum builds.
You also mentioned the role of regional and local races earlier. What part do they play in the World Marathon Majors ecosystem?
Dawna Stone (15:53):
They’re critical. We have over 380 partner marathons globally, and runners who meet our qualifying standards at those races can earn invitations to our Age Group World Championships.
Beyond that, the Majors act as standard setters—especially around sustainability and inclusivity. We hope our growth helps fuel theirs. We also regularly invite race directors and operations teams from other races to learn from the Majors—and vice versa. That kind of sharing makes the entire industry stronger.
Phil Dumontet (22:34):
Such an important point. Let’s talk mental health for a moment—especially during Mental Health Awareness Month. Running is as much mental as physical. What do you see as the mental benefits of racing a marathon?
Dawna Stone (23:16):
Running builds tremendous mental resilience. Studies show that exercise—especially outdoors—reduces anxiety and depression, sometimes even more effectively than medication. My 17-year-old daughter will literally say, “Mom, I’m going to the gym for my mental health,” which is just incredible. That awareness didn’t exist a generation ago.
And when you set and achieve a tough goal—like finishing a marathon—the confidence carries over into every part of your life.
Phil Dumontet (24:56):
Beautifully said. And speaking of the next generation, it's exciting to see younger runners entering the sport. Women under 30 are one of the fastest-growing segments. What are you seeing from your vantage point?
Dawna Stone (26:04):
Absolutely. For a long time, we were worried about aging out. But now, we’re seeing more 20-somethings—especially women—entering the sport. Gen Z women are up 30% year over year. It’s incredibly encouraging for the future of running.
Phil Dumontet (27:01):
Let’s touch on technology. What role is it playing for the Majors?
Dawna Stone (27:08):
Tech is transforming everything—from runner wearables to live tracking for spectators. Our title sponsor, Abbott, has launched some amazing tools like the Freestyle Libre for diabetics and Lingo for everyday glucose monitoring. I wore one and was amazed at how the order of what I ate impacted my glucose spikes. It's all about personalization and learning how your body responds.
Phil Dumontet (30:02):
So powerful—and clearly, personalization is part of the future of running. All right, time for your hot take: What’s one shakeup in marathoning we might see in the next five years?
Dawna Stone (30:26):
Honestly? It’ll be tech-driven, and sooner than we think. I don’t know what it will be—but it’s coming fast, and it’ll be a game-changer.
Phil Dumontet (30:48):
Fair! Let’s close with “Phil’s Fast Five.” Quickfire questions—whatever comes to mind first:
Favorite marathon memory?
Dawna: Watching Deena Kastor and Paula Radcliffe earn their Six Star medals. Just as meaningful as an Olympic gold.
Most overhyped running trope?
Dawna: That you need to PR every race. Nope—just enjoy it.
What do you look for in a potential Major city?
Dawna: A true bucket list location. Somewhere you’re thrilled to run 26.2 miles.
Advice for Seven Star chasers?
Dawna: Don’t give up. It’s worth it—no matter how long it takes.
If you could run only one Major forever…?
Dawna: I love all my children equally—I’m not choosing!
Phil Dumontet (33:06):
A perfect way to wrap it. Dawna, thank you so much for your leadership and your time. From community building to mental health, sustainability, and access—you’re helping shape the future of our sport. It’s been an honor.
Dawna Stone (34:21):
Thank you—this was a lot of fun. I really appreciate it.
