Hall of Fame

A vacant Chicago Marathon spot appeared. Henry locked it in with a handshake. The night before the race, while others were carb-loading and tucked into bed by 9pm, Henry was outside systematically emptying Chicago’s bar scene. He then surfaced at 5am with barely any sleep, zipped himself into full hotdog regalia, and took to the streets. The city watched its most iconic food deliver 42 kilometres of follow-through. When Creamer crossed the finish line, it wasn’t just a completed commitment, it was history being written in real time. Inaugural Hall of Fame status earned. Standards for future inductees: catastrophically high.

It began at 4am in Black Bear Lodge’s infamous front bar, the discoball spinning, smoke machine humming away, a world class DJ frying up bangers in the background, you get the picture - we’re in the pocket. The SUG team circled like sharks, their words hanging in the haze like champagne mist, anticipating the deal. Matthew accepted the challenge, shackling himself to the 2024 London Marathon and securing what would become a future classic. He delivered in spectacular fashion, crossing the finish line and diving straight into a celebratory 3-day bender across London. Still running on post-race momentum and possibly still drunk, the SUG team extended another opportunity - Tokyo 2025. Matt took the bait without hesitation. Two world majors, two flawless executions, making him the first-ever Double Hall of Famer who made it look easy. A man of his word. A man of the people. Living somewhere between the champagne region, and taking care of business.

This is what unwavering commitment looks like — a man who sealed Chicago 2023 with a handshake and then simply delivered. From there, the decision was simple: all in. All six World Marathon Majors. Four down, two to go, with each kilometer banked like silent currency in the vault of his word. Erik embodies the select few who transforms verbal agreements into physical achievement without seeking validation or offering excuses. He’s not racing against timelines or expectations — just steadily fulfilling exactly what he promised. In a world of convenient cancellations, his marathon journey stands as a monument to the power of a simple “yes” backed by relentless action.

Tom sealed his fate with a three-way sunset handshake at Bingin Beach, the 2024 London Marathon became non-negotiable over cocktails. When race day arrived, Tommy rocked up, lit a cigarette at the starting line and simply gave it the beans, attacking all 42 kilometres like he said he would. A handshake made in board shorts, honoured in running shoes. This is commitment in its purest form. While others were crafting elaborate excuses, Tom was outside crafting his legacy.

Matt flew from San Diego to London just to watch his mates run a marathon. Whilst at an old English pub celebrating post-race, Tokyo 2025 got sealed with a handshake. One year later, he’s on Japanese pavement, no longer a spectator but a finisher. From the sidelines to the start line because he said he would over a pint. Most people would’ve conveniently forgotten by the time they landed back in California. Matt remembered, booked the flight, and showed up. The Tokyo course didn’t stand a chance against someone who treats pub handshakes like binding contracts. All action, zero bullshit.

Paula’s promise was made in the hazy depths of an afters in Bondi, deep in the pocket, where most people’s words evaporate with the sunrise. Tokyo 2025 was sealed with a handshake. A year later, the Japanese pavement got punished by 42 kilometres of pure follow-through. From early morning handshake to world major finisher in one revolution around the sun. She closed the loop with perfect symmetry: celebrating post-race with the exact same cigarette and mezcal that witnessed her original pledge. Some people talk. Paula delivers, then lights up.

Just a simple wine bar handshake transformed into multiple marathon medals. Initially committing to one world major, she decided that Florence would make a good warm-up. So she casually ran a full marathon just to prepare for the marathon she actually promised to run. Two world cities, 84 kilometres total, both delivered without any fuss. This is what over-delivery looks like: most people struggle to honour one commitment, Stella doubles down because she can. Over-committed, over-delivered, made it look easy

Zac sealed Tokyo with nothing more than a digital nod to Stu. When business took him to Japan months later, he didn’t just show up for the snow crab and plum wine, he honoured the commitment most people would’ve conveniently forgotten existed. Oil painter, marathon runner, man of his word. His first marathon disappeared beneath his feet like another canvas completed. From casual text message to world major finisher in twelve months flat, treating the whole thing with the same quiet focus he brings to his studio. Pure execution, zero theatrics.

Josh extended his hand digitally. Just a clean handshake emoji in the group chat and the Gold Coast Marathon was locked for 2025. The commitment was made in pixels, but the follow-through was pure analog. Months later, Joshy surfaced on the Gold Coast and went to work. 42 kilometres along Australia's most scenic coastline had no chance against the grit of a man on a mission. The GC tarmac witnessed something increasingly rare these days — someone who says less and delivers more. No social media countdown, no seeking validation for simply doing what he said he would. Just pure follow-through when the moment arrived. Legendary stuff.

The handshake came deep at the afters. That post-bar, someone's-apartment continuation where the real decisions get made. Lisboa Half Marathon was the target, but when entry closed, Karina pivoted north and got it done. The streets of Porto got their 21 kilometres of proof that a handshake doesn't care which city. Commitment sealed, promise kept.

Ericeira. A bench outside the dodgy nightclub, overlooking the Atlantic as the sun crept up. Another post-club moment where the good decisions get alchemized, and that's where the handshake landed. Half Marathon locked in, no worries. Race day in Porto came, João showed up, 21 kilometres delivered as promised. Commitment honoured.