Sydney Marathon prepares for its Abbott World Marathon Majors debut with associated event at ICC Sydney

The TCS Sydney Marathon 2025 presented by ASICS is the newest official member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and is expecting 35,000 runners on Sunday 31st August – not including the thousands participating in the 10km version or the 5km Mini Marathon on Saturday 30th August.

The main marathon course starts at 6.30am on Sunday 31^st August and covers an impressive 42.2kms. The TCS Sydney Marathon is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Spanning across the better part of the day, the marathon commences with three separate morning run times, and the course cut-off time is 3.15pm.

The Sydney Marathon is the only continuing legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and keeps the spectator enthusiasm alive with multiple official viewing zones and an array of organised entertainment. 

As the race makes its debut on the Abbott World Marathon Majors calendar, the event has attracted the strongest fields ever assembled for the run.

Multiple Olympic gold medallists Sifan Hassan and Eliud Kipchoge will make their Sydney Marathon debuts when they race the World Athletics Platinum Label event.

The women’s line-up for the TCS Sydney Marathon includes six athletes with PBs under 2:19, while the men’s field features nine sub-2:05 runners.

Hassan will take on former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and defending champion Workenesh Edesa, while Kipchoge will face Vincent Ngetich, who has achieved three Platinum race podiums in the past couple of years, plus his fellow sub-2:04 athletes Birhanu Legese and Dawit Wolde.

As of the 2024 edition, the course records in Sydney are etched firmly in elite performances: Brimin Kipkorir of Kenya holds the men’s mark with a time of 2:06:18, set in 2024. On the women’s side, Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa from Ethiopia leads the standings, having clocked an impressive 2:21:41, also in the 2024 race.

The 2025 course blends history and culture as runners will trace roads once used in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, be cheered on by 50 on-course activations, and pass through the lands of four local First Nations clans.

The climbs around Oxford Street and the late push through Centennial Park will demand both mental and physical strength, making Sydney’s entry into the World Marathon Majors a scenic spectacle as well as a true test of endurance.

The adventure begins in North Sydney on Miller Street, the highest altitude point of the course and the same starting ground as the Olympic marathon. From here, runners drop downhill before making their first big ascent across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The route then weaves through and around Pyrmont Street, Barangaroo Reserve, The Museum of Contemporary Art, and Hyde Park.

At the 15km mark, the course tilts upwards on Oxford Street with the middle stages of the marathon providing a chance to focus on rhythm and pace.

The closing stages of the race bring runners to Centennial Park with the course winding steadily past Moore Park, the Sydney Cricket Ground, and Allianz Stadium.

The final kilometres direct runners past St Mary’s Cathedral, then at 40km, runners enter the Royal Botanic Gardens with the course concluding with one of the most dramatic finishes in world marathoning: the Sydney Opera House.

TCS Sydney Marathon Race Director and Chief Executive Wayne Larden advised "being named as the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major is a massive milestone and the positive impact of this is clear through the huge number of ballot applications. Increased participation and visitation to our city will have a huge impact on both the event itself and businesses in Sydney and NSW. I'd like to thank the NSW Government and Destination NSW for their support in helping us achieve our dream of becoming a Major.

"At other Abbott World Marathon Majors events, such as the TCS London and TCS New York City Marathons, over one million spectators line the course, contributing to an unforgettable atmosphere. Spectators play a vital role, shaping the experience and defining the identity of these world-class events. We're eager to showcase Sydney's energy and demonstrate what our city can offer on the global stage."

Associated Event at ICC Sydney
The associated event for the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon being held at ICC Sydney is the TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show, being held from 28^th to 30^th August. This expo is open to everyone, not just participants, and features exclusive products, giveaways, talk shows, and the opportunity to pick up race bibs and finisher shirts. The Running Show takes place in Halls 6 and 7 on Level 4 of ICC Sydney.

For further information on the TCS Sydney Marathon go to www.tcssydneymarathon.com.

Image top. Sydney Marathon 2025; image below: Associated event for the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon being held at ICC Sydney