Sydney has officially become the seventh city to join the Abbott World Marathon Majors series—an elite group of global marathons that includes iconic races in London, Boston, Chicago, New York City, Berlin, and Tokyo.
This prestigious accomplishment makes the Sydney Marathon the first city in over a decade to gain Major status, marking an exciting milestone for Australia’s running community. The Sydney Marathon 2025 will officially debut as an Abbott World Marathon Major on August 31.
Record-Breaking Sydney Marathon in 2024 Leads to Major Status
This Major designation follows Sydney’s record-breaking marathon in 2024, which attracted 20,272 finishers, the event’s largest turnout ever. The Sydney Marathon successfully completed a multi-year assessment process to meet the rigorous standards of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, making Sydney the first city to join since Tokyo in 2013.
Abbott World Marathon Majors Welcomes Sydney
Abbott World Marathon Majors CEO Dawna Stone shared her enthusiasm: “I am thrilled that Sydney will become the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major. The Sydney team has shown incredible dedication over the past three years, enhancing both the event experience and operations to meet our high standards. We can’t wait for runners around the world to plan their visits to one of the world’s finest cities. Runners, your Sydney star awaits!”
This achievement solidifies Sydney’s place in the global marathon circuit, attracting international participants and enhancing Sydney’s reputation as a world-class destination for runners.
The Six-Star and Potential Nine-Star Medal Opportunities
For marathoners seeking the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six-Star medal, the existing requirements remain unchanged. However, with cities like Cape Town and Shanghai under consideration for Major status, a future nine-star medal may become available if these cities meet Major standards by 2026 and 2027.
Sydney Marathon Director’s Vision for the Future
Sydney Marathon Race Director Wayne Larden acknowledged the partnerships that helped secure Major status. “Becoming the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major is transformative for Sydney and New South Wales. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the support of the NSW Government, Destination NSW, and partners like TCS and ASICS,” Larden said. “Our team’s commitment to excellence has enabled this milestone, which will inspire a new generation of marathoners across Australia. The Sydney Marathon’s new Major status will also benefit community health and increase fundraising efforts. We look forward to welcoming runners from around the world to the 2025 Sydney Marathon.”
Why Sydney is Now a Must-Run Marathon for Global Runners
With this designation, the Sydney Marathon is now among the world’s most prestigious marathons, positioning Australia’s harbor city as a must-visit destination for the global running community. This achievement not only enhances Sydney’s role in the international marathon circuit but also supports local tourism, bringing thousands of runners and spectators to Sydney’s iconic landmarks.
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