30 August 2026

TCS Sydney Marathon

Springtime is proud to have been selected as the official tour operator for the TCS Sydney Marathon in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. We thank for the trust by offering four different travel packages to the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS – now the seventh member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors!

In 2024, the TCS Sydney Marathon once again made history. The race broke the 2023 participation record and became Australia’s largest marathon. In a groundbreaking achievement, the race has now been officially designated the seventh member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, joining the series in 2025.

Imagine the Sydney Opera House, its white sails shining against the sky, and the iconic Harbour Bridge stretching across the city’s glittering harbour. The blue waters, white beaches and mighty waves of Bondi Beach are just some of the sights that make Sydney unique. Once there, there’s even more to discover. This cosmopolitan city celebrates its cultural diversity, rich heritage and passion for arts and sport.

Join us and experience one of the most spectacular marathon courses in the world!

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Sydney Marathon

Travel facts

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Package Race facts Race info

Bib Collection / Expo

Before the Sydney Marathon, you will receive your race confirmation digitally via email a few weeks prior to the event. This includes your start group and is used to collect your race bib.

The bib must be collected in person at the race Expo, also known as the Running Show, which takes place in the days leading up to the race. Here you will also receive your race bag and any included items. Identification must be shown, and it is important to plan your arrival so you have time to visit the Expo, as bibs are generally not distributed on race day.

The Expo is located at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.

Opening hours (subject to change):
Thursday: 09:00 am – 20:00 pm
Friday: 08:00 am – 20:00 pm
Saturday: 08:00 am – 16:00 pm

You can read more about the Expo on the official website.

Start & transportation

Transportation to the start of the Sydney Marathon is very smooth and well organized.

Most runners travel to the start area using public transport, which is included in the race entry on race day. Trains, buses, and ferries run early in the morning and are scheduled according to the start times. The nearest major transport hub is Circular Quay, within walking distance of the start at the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After finishing at the Sydney Opera House, there are also good public transport options available.

The first start is at 7:00 am at Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is recommended to arrive at the start area 60–90 minutes before your start time due to large crowds.

Bag drop

At the Sydney Marathon, a bag drop service is available, but not at the start on race day. Instead, you drop off your bag during the Expo days, where you will receive an official bag and labeling.

Your bag will then be transported to the finish area at the Sydney Opera House, where you can collect it after the race. It is important to plan this in advance and only use the official bag provided.

Start area & course

At the start area, there is water and plenty of toilets available.

The Sydney Marathon follows a hilly and spectacular city course through some of the most iconic areas of Sydney. The race begins at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, offering fantastic views of the harbor. The course continues through central parts of the city, passing parks and vibrant urban areas before finishing at the waterfront by the Sydney Opera House.

The time limit for the Sydney Marathon is approximately 7 hours from when the last start group crosses the start line. After that, roads gradually reopen to traffic, and runners finishing later typically do not receive an official time.

There is strong crowd support along much of the course, especially at the start, in central areas, and at the finish where the atmosphere is at its peak.

Temperatures in September are usually between 12–20°C, providing good conditions for running.

More information about the course can be found on the official website.

COURSE MAP

Hydration and Energy During the Race

There are hydration stations approximately every 2–3 kilometers along the course, offering water and sports drinks. Some stations also provide energy such as gels or fruit.

It is recommended to bring your own energy if you are used to a specific brand and to avoid trying anything new on race day. Drink regularly, especially in warm conditions, to give yourself the best possible performance.

Finish area

The finish line is located at the Sydney Opera House, and the area is spacious, allowing plenty of room to cross the line. Spectators usually line the final stretch, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

After crossing the finish line, volunteers will take care of you by handing out medals, water, and recovery products. There is plenty of space to slow down, catch your breath, and enjoy the feeling after the race.

App & Website

It is recommended to download the TCS Sydney Marathon app, available for both iPhone/iPad and Android. The app provides race information, maps, live tracking, results, and more before and during race week.

You can download it from the App Store or Google Play.

The organizer’s official website also contains extensive and useful information worth reviewing.

About the race

Date: Sunday 30 August 2026

The TCS Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS, is the newest member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors! With an expected 35,000 runners participating in the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, runners from all over the world are welcomed to Sydney.

The marathon will not only be the largest ever organised in Australia, but also the headline event of an entire running festival. The festival will bring together over 40,000 participants from more than 100 countries, making it the largest event of its kind in Australia. The festival consists of four different races: the TCS Sydney Marathon, the TCS Sydney Marathon 10km, the TCS Sydney Mini Marathon and the TCS Sydney Marathon Elite Wheelchair Race.

As the organisers also offer the 4.2 km and 10 km distances, there is the possibility to run even for those who think a marathon is too long.

Course:

The marathon course was introduced in 2001 and originally followed the same route as the marathon at the 2000 Summer Olympics. The 2025 course will include changes to improve the experience and make it ‘faster, more scenic and spectator-friendly’. The Sydney Marathon course is AIMS certified as an accurate measurement. The marathon map and course profile can be found here:

Number of participants: about 35 000
Start time: 06.31/07.03/07.41
Maximum time: 6 h 30 min
Medal/T-shirt: Yes/Yes
Timing with chip: Yes
Pasta party: No
Character of the race: Very fast and central course with many sights during the race
Entry fee: 895 EUR
Last day to register: Subject to availability

Abbott World Marathon Majors

Do you dream of running among the world’s top marathon cities and joining an exclusive group of runners? Then the Abbott World Marathon Majors is your ultimate challenge – a journey that takes you across six iconic cities, six unforgettable races and a destination that symbolises pure running joy and determination.

The Abbott World Marathon Majors consist of six of the world’s most prestigious marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. Together they form the ultimate marathon journey – a chance to experience new cultures, atmospheres and courses, while challenging both body and mind.

Each race you complete earns you a star on your way to the coveted Six Star Medal, proof that you have completed all six. The journey requires careful planning, perseverance and passion – but each goal you cross becomes a memory for life.

Beyond the races, you also become part of a global community of runners through the World Marathon Majors system, with rankings, virtual challenges and the opportunity to track your progress against the world’s best in your class.

When you run your last of the six races and receive your Six Star Medal, it’s more than a race you’re finishing – it’s a journey you’ve conquered.

The TCS Sydney Marathon has officially become the seventh member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors from 2025. The race has undergone a multi-year evaluation process in which the organisation, safety, spectator support and participation numbers have been improved to meet the high standards required to become a Major. The course takes runners through the city’s most iconic settings, including running across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the world-famous Opera House.

Looking ahead, further expansion of the series is planned. Two marathons are currently in the candidate phase: the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa and the Shanghai Marathon in China. If the races fulfil all the criteria, they are expected to become official Majors in 2027.

With these additions, the Abbott World Marathon Majors could comprise a total of nine races, and there has already been discussion about the possibility of introducing a new Nine-Star Medal for those runners who complete all the marathons in the expanded series.

Programme

Preliminary programme (Please note that the programme is subject to change)

Thursday 27 August

Arrival Sydney

Friday 28 August

07:00 Morning jog
08:30 Service time
09:00 City tour ending at Expo
17:00 Welcome mingle

Saturday 29 August

07:00 Morning jog
08:30 Service time
15:00 Harbour cruise
18:00 Pasta dinner

Sunday 30 August

04:30 Breakfast opens
18:30 Dinner after the race

Monday 31 August

08:00 Blue Mountains

Tuesday 1 September

Free programme

Our hotel

Hotell

Hilton Sydney

Hilton Sydney Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Hilton Sydney is a luxury hotel located in the centre of Sydney and is known for its elegance, contemporary design and first-class facilities. You are just a short walk from prestigious restaurants and bars, shopping and iconic sites such as the Sydney Opera House, …

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