Sydney Marathon’s bid to join cities on majors list boosted by record entry of 24,000 runners
- Race is in the second year of an appraisal process that would lead to it joining the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York marathons
- Last year’s marathon around the harbour city attracted a record 17,000 runners and more than 100,000 spectators
Sydney’s bid to join the World Marathon Majors circuit has received a boost with the news that this year’s race had reached capacity at 24,000 runners, the largest field for any edition of the endurance classic held in Australia.
The event, which traces its origins back to the 2000 Olympic Games, is in the second year of an appraisal process that would lead to it joining the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York marathons in the elite global series from 2025.
Wayne Larden, the race director, called it a “a momentous year”, and said he was committed to delivering a “world-class event” of which the country could be proud.
“We look forward to welcoming a record number of runners and spectators locally, nationally and from around the world to make history,” he said.
Last year’s marathon around the harbour city attracted a record 17,000 runners and more than 100,000 spectators. This year’s Sydney Marathon will take place on a new course on the morning of September 15.
Sydney still has a way to go to match the level of interest in some of the more established races. London Marathon organisers said they have received 840,318 applications for the 2025 race, breaking the world record of 578,374 set in last year’s public ballot.
More than 53,000 runners completed the 44th edition of the marathon last week, a record for the event, with Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir setting a women-only world record.
There were an estimated 17,000 ballot spaces available for this year’s race. The 2025 London Marathon is scheduled for April 27.
“This is an absolutely phenomenal total,” Hugh Brasher, the event director, said.
“Furthermore, the increase in applications from women, up from around 43 per cent last year to 49 per cent this year, is exceptional and takes us close to parity for applications for the first time.
“We want to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get active and these amazing record-breaking figures show how the TCS London Marathon is doing that and how many people want to be part of it.”
