Exciting Announcement for Runners: Sydney Joins the World Marathon Majors
As the vibrant energy of the New York City Marathon filled the streets on Sunday, with dedicated runners triumphantly crossing the finish line after an impressive 26.2-mile journey through all five boroughs, many participants were already setting their sights on their next big challenge. In an exhilarating development for the running community, the Sydney Marathon has officially been recognized as a new member of the prestigious World Marathon Majors. This announcement was made by its organizers on Sunday.
This significant designation comes after a thorough three-year review process, during which the Sydney Marathon demonstrated remarkable growth, achieving over 20,000 finishers in its 2024 race held in September. Dawn Stone, the Chief Executive of Abbott World Marathon Majors, expressed her admiration, stating, “The team in Sydney has been working towards this day, every day, for more than three years. Witnessing their unwavering commitment to improving operations and enhancing the overall event experience has been deeply impressive. Today, we can proudly welcome them as a Major.”
Sydney becomes the first marathon to join the elite ranks since Tokyo’s inclusion in 2013, adding to a legacy that already includes renowned cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, London, and Berlin. With this addition, the total number of World Marathon Majors now stands at seven.
In an exciting twist, all seven marathons will be part of the World Majors’ esteemed star program. Runners who complete all six original World Marathon Majors are celebrated as Six Star finishers. With Sydney’s inclusion, this prestigious program expands into a Seven Star program, with aspirations for a future Nine Star program that may include marathons in Cape Town and Shanghai.
The Sydney Marathon has seen a remarkable surge in participation in recent years. According to data from the New South Wales government, entries for the marathon skyrocketed to 25,000 in 2024, a significant increase from just 5,000 runners in 2022. Looking ahead, the state government anticipates that an impressive 33,000 runners will register for the race, scheduled for August 31, 2025, in Australia.
