Sydney Marathon Gains Elite Status as the Seventh World Major Event

As runners celebrated at the New York City Marathon finish line on Sunday, a new ambition loomed on the horizon for marathon enthusiasts: the Sydney Marathon’s recent elevation to a world major status. Announced on the same day, Sydney will become the seventh world major marathon, joining renowned races in New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo. This prestigious title follows a comprehensive three-year evaluation, during which Sydney’s marathon achieved a remarkable milestone of over 20,000 finishers in its 2024 race.Dawn Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors, expressed her admiration for Sydney's marathon team, noting, "The team in Sydney has been working towards this day, every day, for more than three years, and to see the improvement in their operations and event experience to the point where we can now call them a Major has been deeply impressive." Sydney is the first marathon to attain this esteemed designation since Tokyo joined in 2013, adding a fresh chapter to the world of marathon racing.With this new recognition, Sydney's marathon will now enter the elite circuit known as the star program, wherein runners completing all six world majors are termed Six Star finishers. With Sydney’s inclusion, the program will evolve into a Seven Star initiative, aiming for an even broader scope with potential consideration for a Nine Star program, which includes cities like Cape Town and Shanghai.Participation rates in the Sydney Marathon have soared, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for the race. The New South Wales government reported that entries ballooned to 25,000 in 2024, leaping from just 5,000 runners in 2022, and anticipates around 33,000 registrations for the upcoming race. With its finish line taking place at the iconic Sydney Opera House, the 2025 event promises to attract runners from around the globe, placing Sydney firmly on the map of elite marathon racing.