Nursing Dean Achieves Abbott World Marathon Majors Seven-Star Finish

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Nursing Dean Amy Hall has joined an elite group of runners worldwide by completing all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors: London, Boston, New York City, Chicago, Sydney, Tokyo and Berlin. With this remarkable achievement, Hall becomes one of just 636 individuals globally—and one of 144 women in the U.S.—to earn the prestigious seven-star medal.

The Abbott World Marathon Majors requires runners to complete each of the designated marathons at least once. Despite having run multiple races in Chicago and Boston, only the fastest time from each of those courses was counted toward Hall's seven-star journey. Her race times are as follows:

• Tokyo (March 2025) – 3:59:56
• Boston (April 2022) – 3:52:26 (four-time Boston Marathon finisher)
• London (April 2024) – 3:46:59
• Sydney (September 2024) – 4:27:41
• Berlin (September 2023) – 4:25:47
• Chicago (October 2023) – 3:57:50 (two-time Chicago Marathon finisher)
• New York City (November 2022) – 4:27:08

Having completed her first marathon in April 2017 and qualifying for the Boston Marathon by December of that year, Hall set her sights on the Abbott World Marathon Majors’ six-star medal in 2018. When Sydney was officially added as the seventh major in 2024, her race there earned her a provisional star that later became official.

“This experience started out as a dream, and I can’t believe it has actually become a reality,” said Hall. “It still feels surreal. I was so emotional before and after the race. Completing this goal feels amazing, but now I need a new challenge—maybe running a marathon on all seven continents. I only have three left!”

Running has become an integral part of Hall’s life, despite not considering herself an athlete growing up. She took up the sport at 43 and ran her first marathon at 50. Since then, she has completed 19 marathons in just eight years, with her 20th race set for April at the Boston Marathon.

Beyond personal achievement, running holds a deeper meaning for Hall. She carries a prayer list during each race and for her Tokyo Marathon, wore a special medal from Chalco, Mexico, acquired on a medical mission. “Every mile, I tapped the medal and thought of the sisters, the girls we cared for, and the medical team I was with. I carried them all with me through Tokyo.”

With over 10,000 runners having completed the Abbott World Marathon Majors six-star challenge, the seven-star club remains an exclusive group. In the U.S., just 223 runners have completed all seven races. Hall’s accomplishment stands as a testament to perseverance, faith, and the pursuit of excellence—qualities that she brings to her leadership at FranU.