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World Marathon Major · Sydney, Australia

Sydney Marathon

The Sydney Marathon is the newest World Marathon Major, run each August across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to a finish at the Sydney Opera House. The course is scenic and hilly, and places come mainly from a public ballot.

The Sydney Marathon course in Sydney, from the start to the finish.
The course route, simplified. Check the official course map before race day.
Where and when
Sydney, Australia · August
First run
2000
Field size
about 36,000 to 40,000
Average finish
about 4:22
How to get in
Public ballot, charity places, or time-bracketed entries
Official site
tcssydneymarathon.com/marathon

Dates, fees and rules change every year, so confirm on the official site before you plan.

About the Sydney Marathon

Sydney's marathon has run since 2000 and became a World Marathon Major in 2025, the first in Oceania. It is known for the bridge crossing, the harbour views and a finish on the Opera House steps.

Watch the Sydney Marathon run again

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How do you get a place in the Sydney Marathon?

A large public ballot or time-bracketed entries.

  • When entry opens: The general ballot runs from late September to mid-October for the following August.
  • Cost: About $280 AUD for Australian residents and $330 AUD for international entries.

What is the Sydney Marathon course like, and what is the cut-off?

A scenic, undulating course. It starts at Bradfield Park in North Sydney, crosses the Harbour Bridge, passes through Centennial Parklands and finishes at the Opera House.

Cut-off: Seven hours, tied to the sweep pacer, with the finish closing in mid-afternoon. There are intermediate cut-offs where runners who fall behind are picked up.

Where should spectators watch the Sydney Marathon?

  • Sydney Harbour Bridge, the startWatch thousands of runners stream across the bridge deck.
    Getting there: Train to Milsons Point for the start, or Wynyard to see runners leave the bridge on the south side.
  • Sydney Opera House forecourt, the finishOne of the most scenic finishes in the world, with crowds on the steps.
    Getting there: Any train, ferry or light rail to Circular Quay, then walk east along the harbour.

Work out when your runner reaches each spot with the spectator timing planner, set to this race's usual start time. Tracking and signal can fail in a crowd, so agree a meeting place and a time before race day. See how to get around a marathon as a spectator.

What are the weather, start times and tracking like?

  • Weather: Mild and breezy, about 8 to 19°C (46 to 66°F). Cool at dawn, warming quickly in the sun on the exposed bridges.
  • Start times: Elite wheelchairs 6:15, then the mass field from 6:30 am in graded start groups.
  • Tracking: The TCS Sydney Marathon app uses a smart map for live tracking and shows road closure alerts.

Is the Sydney Marathon a good first marathon?

Tough: very hilly (ranked 7 of 8 for a first-timer). A bucket-list course over the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House, but the rolling hills can wear down a first-timer. See the full ranking of the eight majors.

Frequently asked questions

When did Sydney become a World Marathon Major?

In 2025, the first major in Oceania.

How do I get a place?

Through the public ballot, which runs from late September to mid-October, or through time-bracketed entries and charity places.

How hilly is the course?

Rolling and undulating, with climbs after the Harbour Bridge and through the city and parkland. Practise on hills.

Is Sydney a good first marathon?

The scenery is world class, but the hills make it demanding for a first-timer.

What is the best place to watch?

The Harbour Bridge start from Milsons Point, and the Opera House finish from Circular Quay.

Plan your race day

The other majors