The TCS Sydney Marathon has officially been designated as an Abbott World Marathon Major, set to join the prestigious ranks starting in 2025.
Sydney now proudly stands alongside the iconic marathons held in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York, becoming the seventh major marathon in this elite series. The upcoming Sydney Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 31 August 2025, marking its inaugural run as one of the majors.
The last marathon to be elevated to this esteemed category was Tokyo in 2013. Since 2016, dedicated runners who complete all the majors have been awarded a coveted Six Star medal. With the exciting addition of Sydney, the opportunity arises for runners to strive toward a newly established accolade: the Nine Star medal.
SIX STARS TO NINE STARS
The enduring Six Star medal will continue to serve as a milestone for runners pursuing completion of the original six Abbott World Marathon Major races. It is essential to note that the Sydney Marathon will not contribute to the Six Star medal collection.
With the advent of the Nine Star medal, runners can anticipate retaining the Six Star medal as a symbol of their achievements. The earliest availability of the Nine Star medal is projected for 2027, although participants will start earning their stars from the Sydney Marathon in 2025.
Participants who complete the 2024 Sydney Marathon will not receive a star for that event, except those competing in the Wanda Age Group World Championships, who will be the pioneers in collecting their Sydney star.
Notably, there is no expiration date for achieving the Six Star and Nine Star journeys, allowing for enduring dreams and challenges.
SELECTING THE SEVENTH MAJOR
The careful selection of the new Abbott World Marathon Majors began in 2022, originally nominating the Sydney, Cape Town, and Chengdu Marathons as candidates. Each marathon must pass two critical assessments prior to being accepted into the major series.
The assessment process considers over 100 criteria, which encompasses broad categories such as race participation, the growth of finishers, elite field quality, organization, runner experience, sustainability, and legacy.
The Sydney Marathon successfully completed its initial assessment in 2023 and has upheld its status in the subsequent assessment in 2024. As for the 2024 Cape Town Marathon, it is currently undergoing its first evaluation, with results still awaited. The Shanghai Marathon is now the candidate representing China, set for its initial assessment on Sunday, 1 December 2024, during the Shanghai Marathon.
If Cape Town and Shanghai meet their forthcoming assessments, they could potentially join the series by 2026 and 2027, respectively. With nine majors in place, the Nine Star medal will become a reality.
SYDNEY’S PROGRESS
The Sydney Marathon made its debut in 2001 as a tribute to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Initially following the same route as the Olympic Marathon, the course has since undergone revisions for improved speed and flatness, optimizing the race as it continues to grow.
This major marathon promises to be the most challenging and hilliest of the series, yet it offers runners breathtaking sights and experiences, such as traversing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge at the start of the race and culminating at the majestic Sydney Opera House.
With a remarkable surge in participation, the Sydney Marathon has flourished rapidly. From just 1,200 finishers in its inaugural year, it reached only 5,300 in 2022, but this number skyrocketed to nearly 17,000 in 2023. Anticipation for 2024’s event is high, with around 25,000 spots already sold out and representation from over 100 countries. Projections indicate that participation could swell to approximately 35,000 in 2025.
Starting in 2025, the marathon’s scheduling will shift forward by two weeks, placing it strategically within the Major Marathon calendar:
- Tokyo Marathon: Sunday 2 March 2025
- Boston Marathon: Monday 21 April 2025
- London Marathon: Sunday 27 April 2025
- Sydney Marathon: Sunday 31 August 2025
- Berlin Marathon: Sunday 21 September 2025
- Chicago Marathon: Sunday 12 October 2025
- New York City Marathon: Sunday 2 November 2025
HOW CAN YOU RUN THE 2025 SYDNEY MARATHON?
To explore more about the Abbott World Marathon Majors and discover how to participate in all of them, click here.
**Interview with Sarah Mitchell, Marathon Expert and Coach**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Sarah! Thank you for joining us today. The Sydney Marathon has just been designated as the newest Abbott World Marathon Major, set to commence in 2025. What does this elevation mean for the marathon community in Sydney and globally?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be here. The recognition of the Sydney Marathon as a World Marathon Major is a tremendous achievement for both the local community and the global running scene. It puts Sydney on the map alongside iconic events like Boston and London, attracting elite runners, enthusiastic amateur participants, and international visitors. This will not only boost the city’s economy but also inspire more people to take up running and participating in marathons.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely! The Sydney Marathon will be the seventh major race in this series. Can you elaborate on how this impacts runners, particularly those who collect achievement medals?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Certainly! The introduction of the Nine Star medal, which runners can earn starting from the Sydney Marathon, creates new challenges and opportunities for marathon enthusiasts. While the existing Six Star medal remains important for those who have completed the original six events, the Nine Star medal elevates the stakes. It’s a chance for runners to showcase their dedication by completing this new series that includes Sydney. Runners will indeed have new aspirations to strive for.
**Interviewer:** It must be an exciting time for those aiming for the Nine Star! Speaking of the selection process for World Marathon Majors, what criteria are marathons evaluated on to attain this prestigious status?
**Sarah Mitchell:** Great question! The selection process is rigorous and considers over 100 criteria. Factors include race participation metrics, growth in finishers, the quality of the elite field, the overall organization of the event, runner experience, sustainability practices, and the marathon’s legacy. The Sydney Marathon has successfully met these criteria in consecutive assessments, which reflects its strong reputation and commitment to excellence.
**Interviewer:** That gives us a clearer picture! With the Sydney Marathon set for its inaugural run as a major in August 2025, what advice would you offer to runners preparing for this event?
**Sarah Mitchell:** My advice is to start training early and set clear, achievable goals. The nice thing about a marathon is that it allows for a gradual buildup in distance and endurance. It’s also vital to incorporate rest days, maintain a balanced diet, and listen to your body. Participating in training groups can be incredibly motivating as well. And don’t forget to enjoy the experience – crossing that finish line in a major marathon will be a memorable moment!
**Interviewer:** Great tips there, Sarah! Thank you for sharing your insights about the Sydney Marathon and its implications for the runner community.
**Sarah Mitchell:** Thank you! It’s an exciting time for all marathon runners, and I look forward to seeing how the Sydney Marathon evolves as part of this elite group in the coming years!
