Sydney Marathon has officially been named the seventh member of the prestigious World Marathon Majors, placing it alongside iconic races in London, New York, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, and Chicago. This milestone, confirmed on Monday, marks the culmination of a three-year effort to elevate the race’s organization and overall experience to match the standards of the global elite.
World Marathon Majors chief Dawna Stone praised the enhancements to Sydney’s marathon, saying, “The improvement in the race’s operations and experience has been deeply impressive.” She expressed excitement for the global running community, adding, “Runners, your Sydney star awaits.”
Jane Flemming, president of Athletics Australia, hailed the announcement as a “transformative moment” for the sport in Australia, inspiring more Australians to embrace running. The Sydney Marathon, which began as a test event for the 2000 Olympics with just 1,200 finishers, has since grown exponentially, attracting 25,000 participants in 2024. This elevation to World Marathon Majors status signals a bright future for competitive distance running in Australia.
