🇦🇺Sydney, Australia
TCS Sydney Marathon
Sep 20, 2026
Distance
42.2 km
Elevation gain
195 m
Terrain
Road
Entry type
Open entry
PB potential
Good conditions for a solid performance
Beginner friendly
Great for newcomers — manageable course, strong support
About this race
The Sydney Marathon is as much about the scenery as the racing. The highlight comes early: runners cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the first few kilometres, looking out over one of the world's most iconic harbours with the Opera House silhouetted against the morning sky. The course then winds through the CBD, through the historic Rocks district, along the waterfront at Circular Quay, and through various inner city suburbs before finishing in the Royal Botanic Gardens. September marks early Southern Hemisphere spring — temperatures are typically 15–20°C, pleasant and mild. The course has genuine hills (195m of gain), including a challenging climb at the Cahill Expressway. Don't come for a PB, but come to experience one of the world's great urban landscapes from street level.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
14–20°C
Humidity
55–70%
Conditions
Mild spring conditions, partly cloudy
Wind
10–20 km/h E
Who this race suits
Runners chasing the seventh Abbott World Major and a spectacular harbour finish. The rolling course and bridge make it more experience than PB.
Not a flat PB course — the Harbour Bridge and rolling sections cost time — but the Opera House finish is worth it. The newest World Major.
Overview
- Field size
- ~25,000+ finishers and growing since Major status
- Course type
- Point-to-point, rolling, over the Harbour Bridge to an Opera House finish
- Status
- Abbott World Marathon Major (since 2025)
Course intelligence
- Profile
- Rolling with notable climbs; crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishes by the Opera House
- Highlights
- The Harbour Bridge crossing and the iconic Opera House finish
Registration
- How to enter
- Ballot and general paid entry, plus charity places; demand has surged since Major status
- Registration opens
- Opens months ahead — enter early given rising demand
Travel & logistics
- Best airport
- Sydney (SYD)
- Getting around
- Trains, buses and ferries; an Opal card covers all transit
- Where to stay
- Circular Quay or the CBD, near the finish and transport
- Visa
- Most international visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa for Australia — arrange it well in advance
Runner tips
- September is Australian spring — mild, but plan for sun exposure on the open sections.
- The Harbour Bridge and rolling profile mean this is a race to run by effort, not fixed goal pace.
- Sort your Australian visa (ETA/eVisitor) before booking travel.
Pace Band
Generate a free elevation-adjusted pace band for TCS Sydney Marathon. Print it, wear it, hit your splits.
Build my pace band →Find your next race
Races runners like you consider
Similar to TCS Sydney Marathon
Stockholm, Sweden
Asics Stockholm Marathon
Jun 6, 2027 · Road · ↑ 75 m
Registration openA midsummer marathon through one of Europe's most beautiful capital cities — islands, bridges, cobblestones, and the endless Nordic light of June.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town Marathon
Oct 18, 2026 · Road · ↑ 290 m
Registration openAfrica's premier marathon — run in the shadow of Table Mountain along the Atlantic seaboard, with the iconic flat-topped peak dominating the skyline throughout.
Big Sur, USA
Big Sur International Marathon
Apr 26, 2027 · Road · ↑ 2100 m
Sold outThe most breathtaking marathon in America — a point-to-point run along the legendary Pacific Coast Highway with 2,100m of brutal elevation change and views that will stop you mid-stride.
Other World Marathon Majors
See all →
World MajorChicago, USA
Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Oct 11, 2026 · Road · ↑ 30 m
Lottery soonThe flattest World Major — a loop through 29 of Chicago's neighbourhoods with the most inclusive crowd energy in American marathon running.
World MajorBerlin, Germany
BMW Berlin Marathon
Sep 27, 2026 · Road · ↑ 61 m
Sold outThe world's fastest marathon course — dead flat, perfectly organised, and the site of more world records than any other race.
World MajorLondon, United Kingdom
TCS London Marathon
Apr 26, 2027 · Road · ↑ 84 m
Ballot liveThe world's most celebrated mass participation marathon — past the Tower of London, along the Thames, and through the roar of one million spectators.
Great for a first marathon
See all →Gold Coast, Australia
Gold Coast Marathon
Jul 5, 2027 · Road · ↑ 25 m
OpenAustralia's fastest marathon — a virtually flat beachside course along the Gold Coast Broadwater and Surfers Paradise in Australia's coolest winter conditions.
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland Marathon
Oct 25, 2026 · Road · ↑ 155 m
OpenNew Zealand's largest marathon — crossing the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge, along the Waitemata waterfront, past Mission Bay, and back through Parnell's heritage streets.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Marathon
Oct 18, 2026 · Road · ↑ 125 m
OpenAustralia's premier road marathon — a spectacular loop around Melbourne's iconic bayside parks, the MCG, and St Kilda foreshore in Southern Hemisphere spring.
Explore the region
More Oceania marathons
Gold Coast, Australia
Gold Coast Marathon
Jul 5, 2027 · Road · ↑ 25 m
OpenAustralia's fastest marathon — a virtually flat beachside course along the Gold Coast Broadwater and Surfers Paradise in Australia's coolest winter conditions.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Marathon
Oct 18, 2026 · Road · ↑ 125 m
OpenAustralia's premier road marathon — a spectacular loop around Melbourne's iconic bayside parks, the MCG, and St Kilda foreshore in Southern Hemisphere spring.
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland Marathon
Oct 25, 2026 · Road · ↑ 155 m
OpenNew Zealand's largest marathon — crossing the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge, along the Waitemata waterfront, past Mission Bay, and back through Parnell's heritage streets.