On 21 April 2025, as Ivy Yeo crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon, tears streamed down her face. After nearly eight years of relentless training, countless miles, and six world-renowned races, she clasped the coveted Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Medal – a dream that had seemed distant when she first laced up her shoes.
The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a dream for many of the world’s marathon enthusiasts. The journey to earn its prestigious Six Star Medal involves completing six of the most renowned marathons in the world.
“It was a great sense of achievement and accomplishment,” Ivy recalls, her voice still tinged with emotion. “I cried when I crossed that line in Boston. All the hard work, all the sacrifice… it was worth it.”
A Challenge Born from Passion
Running has always been part of Ivy’s life, but it was the inspiration from friends and fellow runners at SAFRA Running Club (Mount Faber) (SRCMF), where Ivy first ignited her passion for running, that first planted the seed of the Six Star challenge.
“I admired those who had finished all six marathons,” she says. “One day, while chatting with my SRCMF friends, we decided to ballot for Berlin. To our surprise, all eight of us got in! That was the start of my journey.”
From that first marathon in Berlin in 2017 to the final finish line in Boston in 2025, Ivy’s journey stretched across eight years, paused only by the global pandemic. Each race brought new lessons, unforgettable moments, and memories she now treasures deeply.
Triumphs, Tears, and the Roar of the Crowd
Every marathon told a different story. The Berlin Marathon introduced her to the magic of the Majors. Boston, with its legendary elevation and brutal course, tested her resolve like never before. But it was London in 2024 that remains etched most vividly in her memory.
“Both my legs cramped at 32km, 35km, and 38km,” Ivy shares. “But the cheering crowd was just amazing. They shouted my name – ‘Go Ivy!’ – and even shot confetti cannons as I passed. It felt like walking the red carpet. Without them, I don’t think I could have finished in 4 hours 25 minutes.”
And yet, the Boston Marathon will forever hold the most meaning. “It was my last one, the race that gave me my Six Star Medal. The welcome we received at the Lenox Hotel after the race – horns, confetti, cheers – it was like a dream.”
Training the Body, Strengthening the Mind
Behind every medal is a mountain of discipline. Ivy trained five days a week, clocking 60 to 70 km, often on the slopes of Sentosa, Upper Peirce Reservoir, and Mount Faber. Strength and conditioning twice a week kept her injury-free, while guidance from her coach, Andy Neo, transformed her approach to training.
“Coach Andy taught me so many things I didn’t know about running,” Ivy says gratefully. “He showed me how to train smart, not just hard. Thanks to him, I stayed injury-free through all six marathons.”
Just as important was the mental grit. “I reminded myself to train hard, to never give up. My mantra was simple: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!’”
The Power of Community
Running may seem solitary, but for Ivy, community was everything. SAFRA Running Club (Mount Faber) became her second family, with weekly interval sessions, hill repeats, tempo runs, and long slow distance runs that shaped her marathon readiness.
“We encourage and motivate each other,” she smiles. “I’ve been with SRCMF since 2007, and it was there that I truly found my passion for running.”
Beyond training, her friends and companions also made the journey possible. Whether traveling together, booking hotels, or simply cheering her on, Ivy never ran alone. “I will never, ever travel solo,” she laughs. “I’m thankful for every friend who journeyed with me.”
A Medal Beyond Metal
At 63 years old, Ivy proves that dreams don’t come with an expiry date. The Six Star Medal – heavy in weight but heavier still in meaning – represents more than just six races.
“It’s a symbol of perseverance, discipline, and belief,” she reflects. “I’ve learnt that age is just a number. It’s never too late to chase your dreams.”
Inspiring Advice for Aspiring Runners
For those dreaming of their own Six Star journey, Ivy offers practical wisdom:
“Join a good running club, be disciplined in training, and prepare for lots of sweat and tears. It’s also not cheap, so start saving early. But most of all, believe in yourself. Work hard, and the dream will happen.”
If given the chance to relive one race, she would choose London – for the sheer electricity of the crowd. “It wasn’t just a race… it was a celebration of human spirit, unity, and determination.”
Looking Ahead
Though Ivy now carries her Six Star Medal proudly, her running journey is far from over. “I’m training for the seventh star – the Sydney Marathon in 2026,” she says with a smile.
Her journey has been paved by faith, discipline, and community, but above all, it has been a testament to the human spirit’s boundless capacity for endurance. As she looks ahead to Sydney and beyond, one thing is clear: Ivy is still running, not just for medals, but for the joy of the journey itself.
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