In brief
After extensive evaluations, Sydney will host its first major marathon on August 31, 2025, drawing thousands of international runners.
The Sydney Marathon is set to elevate its status in the global marathon scene as it gains recognition as the seventh World Major Marathon, an accolade that places it among the likes of New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo. This announcement coincided with the recent New York City Marathon, demonstrating a surge in global marathon participation.The confirmation of Sydney's new status comes following a rigorous three-year assessment process, culminating in the city surpassing 20,000 finishers in its 2024 race, held in September. Dawn Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors, praised Sydney's marathon team for their unwavering commitment and significant improvements over the past years, which ultimately secured this prestigious designation.This marks the first addition of a marathon to the World Majors roster since Tokyo's inclusion in 2013. The original lineup consisted of the five major marathons: New York, Boston, Chicago, London, and Berlin. With Sydney joining this elite group, the World Majors will also introduce a "Seven Star" program, aimed at recognizing marathoners who complete all seven major races. There is even ambition for a forthcoming "Nine Star" program, with potential candidates like Cape Town and Shanghai in consideration.The popularity of the Sydney Marathon has seen a remarkable increase, with participant numbers skyrocketing from 5,000 runners in 2022 to 25,000 in 2024, thanks to efforts by the New South Wales government to promote the event. The expectation for the next race, scheduled for August 31, 2025, is to welcome 33,000 registered runners, further solidifying Sydney's position as a significant player in the marathon landscape.
