How 2026 Went
Race day was 30 August 2026.
Full results not yet published.
Course Map
About this Race
The TCS Sydney Marathon is the newest addition to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a scenic point-to-point course that starts on the north side of the harbour and crosses the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge before winding through the city toward a finish at the Sydney Opera House. The route is genuinely undulating, with several sharp climbs and harbour-side rises that make it more honest than the flat record courses, set against some of the most spectacular waterfront backdrops in world running. Held in the southern-hemisphere spring, it has rapidly grown its field and international profile since gaining Major status. Enthusiastic crowds gather at the bridge and the Opera House finish, though quieter stretches reward runners who can pace their own effort over the hills. It suits those chasing the Majors star and a stunning finish-line photo over a flat-out personal best, favoring runners who save something for its rolling terrain.
Course Insight
The newest of the Majors is also the most honest about hills: where most big-city courses chase flat-and-fast, Sydney is genuinely undulating and rewards strength over raw speed. The early crossing of the Harbour Bridge is a soaring, iconic moment but exposed, and the rolling terrain that follows never quite lets you settle into autopilot. Save your legs for the climbs in the back half rather than spending them on the views. The Opera House on the run-in is the payoff. Spring conditions in September are generally favourable, but the constant gradient changes mean even-effort, not even-pace, is the way to run this one.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (313m), tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 313m
- Elevation loss
- 396m
- Highest point
- 79m
- Lowest point
- 5m
- Net elevation
- -83m
- Start
- Milsons Point, North Sydney
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:06:06 — Hailemaryam Kiros (Ethiopia), 2025
- Women's
- 2:18:22 — Sifan Hassan (Netherlands), 2025
Race History
The TCS Sydney Marathon began in the early 2000s as a legacy of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, growing for years as a regional race before a dramatic recent rise. Participation surged from around 5,000 runners in 2022 to roughly 25,000 by 2024, and after passing two candidacy assessments it was announced in November 2024 as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major. Its first edition as a Major, on 31 August 2025, drew about 33,000 finishers across an undulating course running from the Harbour Bridge to a spectacular Opera House finish. As the first Major in the southern hemisphere, it has become an instant bucket-list destination for runners chasing the Majors stars.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)
- Best area to stay
- The CBD by Circular Quay for finish proximity at the Opera House and full hotels, North Sydney for staying near the bridge start, and Darling Harbour for waterfront stays close to the action.
- Getting to the start
- The start is on the north side near Milsons Point; take a Sydney Trains service to Milsons Point or North Sydney and walk in, since Harbour Bridge road access is closed.