Sydney to Join Elite Ranks as Seventh World Major Marathon

In an exciting announcement, the Sydney Marathon is set to join the ranks of major global marathons, becoming the seventh official World Major Marathon as of 2025. This recognition follows a rigorously assessed three-year process and comes in light of the marathon surpassing 20,000 finishers in its 2024 event. The U.S.-based Abbott World Marathon Majors recognized the Sydney Marathon's impressive operational improvements and event experiences, making it the first addition to this elite group since the Tokyo Marathon's inclusion a decade ago. The New South Wales government revealed a remarkable increase in participation levels; registrations rose from 5,000 entrants in 2022 to 25,000 for the 2024 race. Expectations for the 2025 event, scheduled for August 31, target an impressive 33,000 participants. This new status not only increases prestige for the Sydney Marathon but also paves the way for creating a "Seven Star program" for marathon runners, further expanding the chances for competitors on a global stage. Other cities, including Cape Town and Shanghai, are also being considered for future additions to the major marathon roster.