Sydney’s bid to become world’s seventh Marathon Major host city could deliver $300 million

With the Sydney Marathon being held 15th September - having attracted 25,000 entrants - analysis undertaken by Destination NSW on Sydney’s bid to become the world’s seventh Marathon Major host city projects it could boost the NSW visitor economy by up to $300 million over a decade.

The benefits of joining the big six world marathons: New York, London, Boston, Tokyo, Chicago and Berlin is becoming clearer as the Sydney Marathon prepares for the event this Sunday.

Assessors from around the world are in Sydney to evaluate the delivery of the marathon and its overall participant experience before deciding whether to bestow Sydney Marathon with Abbott World Marathon Major status in 2025.

Sydney marathon has grown rapidly from 5,300 entrants to 25,000 this year, but major status will send interest to another level, drawing runners from across Australia and all around the world.

Entrants could grow from 25,000 to an estimated 33,300 in 2025, delivering visitor economy expenditure of $22.8 million.

By 2027, Destination NSW estimates that expenditure would grow to $26 million in 2027, with 37,800 local and international runners. 

NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham noted “becoming a World Marathon Major is not just about the prestige of the Sydney Marathon joining the big six - Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. It is about becoming a bucket-list city for runners around the world and the ongoing visitor and economic boost that will provide for NSW.

“More than 840,000 people have applied to run in the London Marathon next year and 320,000 in Tokyo. If Sydney is to join this group, we expect runners from interstate and across the world wanting to take their place on the start line – every one of whom will need a hotel room, may bring family and other support with them and will likely want to enjoy a holiday while here in NSW.

“This is the critical year for Sydney to gain Marathon Major status and I urge Sydneysiders to get out and cheer on the runners, raise the atmosphere and back the event towards the next level.

“I am so excited about the prospect of the Sydney Marathon becoming a World Marathon Major. How could competitors not want to run the most beautiful course in the world? Good luck to all runners.”

Key Event Details

• Date: Sunday, 15th September 2024

• Distance: 42.195km (World Athletics Platinum Label Marathon)

• Start time:  6:00am (5:50am - Elite Wheelchair)

• Start line cut off : 6:56am

• Start Location: North Sydney Oval, Miller St, North Sydney

• Finish Line:Sydney Opera House Forecourt

• Course Cut Off Time: 7 hours

Image. Sydney Marathon Finish Line