11°
Clear & sunny
HI 18°
LO 7°
Crisp 6°C dawn · clear skies all morning · ideal PB conditions
SYDNEY
/
AUSTRALIA
/
FOUNDED 2000
Sydney Marathon
The newest Major. A scenic harbour start, a brutal Kings Cross climb, and a finish at the Opera House.
Sydney is the newest of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors — its inaugural edition as a Major ran in 2025. The 2025 ballot drew 79,000 applications for ~35,000 spots (~44% accepted). The 2026 ballot drew 123,000+ applications for a target field of ~40,000 (~33% accepted) — a 56% year-over-year jump in demand.
Ballot opens
Sep 24, 2026
Window opens · free to enter
Next up
Ballot closes
Oct 17, 2026
Last day to submit
Draw / results
Oct 29, 2026
Winners notified
Race day
Aug 30, 2026
August 30, 2026
OPENS IN 149 DAYS · SEP 24, 2026
Climate
Past three years on race day
Historical conditions on the course — what to expect, what to pack.
10°
Partly sunny
HI 17°
LO 8°
Sunny, chilly start · gusty 20+ km/h winds · clouded over by mid-morning
22°
Sunny, hot
HI 32°
LO 17°
Spring heatwave · 26 hospitalised, 40 treated for heat exhaustion
Course·
Point-to-point — Milsons Point to Sydney Opera House
Milsons Point → Opera House
Cool, 10–18°C
Elevation
Course profile
Net descent overall (-83m), but 313m of climbing across the course. Drops 70m off Miller Street into the Harbour Bridge, climbs Oxford Street to a peak of 74m at km13, rolls through Anzac Parade and Centennial, then a brutal kicker around Mrs Macquarie Chair at km38-40 before the final descent to the Opera House.
Total ascent·313m
Total descent·396m
Highest point·79m @ 0 km
Qualifying
How you get in
Random-draw ballot for general entry. Priority/Good-for-Age standards (sub-2:53 men open / sub-3:13 women open) bypass the ballot. Charity bibs from AU$1,500+ via official partners.
~33%
40,000 bibs · ballot
Applications not yet open
M2:53
W3:13
Open category (18–34)
See full standards →
AU$1,500+
via official charity partners
View partners →
Priority entry standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:53:00 | 3:13:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:55:00 | 3:15:00 |
| 40-44 | 2:58:00 | 3:26:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:05:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:14:00 | 3:51:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:23:00 | 4:10:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:34:00 | 4:27:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:45:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:10:00 | 5:30:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:30:00 | 6:00:00 |
| 80-84 | 4:55:00 | 6:35:00 |
| 85-89 | 4:55:00 | 6:35:00 |
| 90+ | 4:55:00 | 6:35:00 |
Photos
On the course
Scenes from the 2025 edition — the Opera House finish and the crowds across the Harbour Bridge.
Finish · 2025
Crowd · 2025
FAQ
Common questions
When is the 2026 Sydney Marathon?
The 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon runs on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The race starts on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishes at the Opera House.
Is there a lottery for the Sydney Marathon?
Yes. Sydney runs a random-draw ballot for general entry. The 2026 ballot drew 123,000+ applications for a target field of ~40,000 (about 33% accepted), up from ~44% in 2025. Priority entry, charity, and travel-partner pathways sit outside the ballot.
How do I enter the Sydney Marathon?
Apply through the official ballot during the entry window (the 2026 ballot ran 24 Sept → 17 Oct 2025; expect a similar window for the 2027 race). Priority/Good-for-Age standards (men 2:53, women 3:13 at the open age band) bypass the ballot. Charity entries start at AU$1,500+ via official partners.
When did Sydney become an Abbott World Marathon Major?
Sydney's inaugural edition as a Major ran in 2025, making it the newest of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors. Its addition expanded the series from six to seven races.
What is the course like in Sydney?
Point-to-point from Milsons Point across the Harbour Bridge, through the CBD with a tough climb through Kings Cross, and finishing at the Sydney Opera House. Rolling profile with cool winter conditions (10–18°C).