Why Aussies are ditching evening workouts for sunrise sessions and sold-out marathons

Early birds get worms and medals

We've always been a nation of sport-lovers and health nuts, but recently, Aussies have been getting their sweat on earlier in day. 

This Sunday, for the first time in history, 24,000 people will stampede through the streets of Sydney as part of the 2024 TSC Sydney Marathon. It will be the largest of its kind that the country has ever seen, thanks largely to the recent explosion in run clubs and uptake in people getting up before dawn.

With just days to go until the race of the year, Sydney is abuzz with excitement and activity as the city prepares to play host to Australia’s largest ever marathon. 

Which is what organisers said last year when 16,500 people signed up for the 2023 event. Except in 2024, more than 24,000 runners will descend on the North Sydney start line, making it the country’s biggest marathon in history and putting Sydney in good stead to become the next Abbott World Major Marathon. 

It’s also the first time that the event has sold out. And as the co-founder of the Coogee Run Club – the biggest social run club team in the 2024 TCS Sydney Marathon with more than 180 runners taking part – I know first-hand that these tickets have become hot property. 

But why? 

How has running has become so popular? 

When 24,000 people make their way to North Sydney Oval on Sunday for the 6am race, it’ll be like any other morning for plenty of participants who are used to getting up before the sun.

In fact, according to new research by Kellanova, the global business behind Kellogg’s cereals and snacks, we are a country of early birds with 59 per cent of Aussies calling themselves a morning person and 44 per cent waking up before 6am. 

And what’s the driving force for the pre-dawn alarm? It’s exercise. 

The stats, which have been released to celebrate 100 years of Kellogg’s in Australia, reveal the key motivators for the early morning wake up call are making time for sport and exercise (30 per cent) and having a nutritious breakfast (28 per cent). While for Millennials it’s also spending time with family (21 per cent) and watching the sunrise for Gen Zs and over 65s (11 per cent). 

The Coogee Run Club runs together four mornings a week in Sydney. Image: Coogee Run Club

Which – when you consider run clubs have become more like run families for many people – are all features of plenty of groups across Australia. Especially the Coogee Run Club, which describes itself as more of a social club with a bit of running on the side, where every sunrise trot is followed up by a chat over breakfast. 

So it’s no surprise that run clubs have caught up and become the biggest trend of 2024, leading Sydney’s marathon to become a never before sold out event. 

“I think it’s because of the uptake in run clubs and people prioritising their health and wellbeing that we’ve had 24,000 registrations,” Nick Youngquest, an ambassador for Sydney Marathon, tells Body+Soul. 

“And in Australia, we live in such a beautiful country and you’re able to fully utilise our spaces and areas, even during winter, which is when most people have been training for the marathon. But it’s really not as cold as other cities, such as London or New York, where it’s much colder during marathon training.”

It’s those elite cities, alongside Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo, that could soon call Sydney the seventh star as the city competes to become the newest Abbott World Marathon Major. 

Tara Meakins is the co-founder of the Coogee Run Club. Image: Coogee Run Club

Why do we love to get up early?

We weren’t always like this, according to the research by Kellogg’s on wake up trends, which found that 82 per cent of Aussies are getting moving earlier now than two years ago. Three in four now say we’re a nation of early risers, which was no surprise to Youngquest – a former rugby league player – who says a culture shift is getting people out of bed.  

“Over the last few years, it seems like there are less and less people spending time at the pub and more and more people spending time prioritising their health and wellbeing,” says the 41-year-old, who played professionally for nine years. “People are getting up early, going out less, getting more rest and recovery, and productively moving and keeping active. Which is really cool for someone like myself. 

“Coming from professional sport, especially in retirement, people used to connect at the pub over alcohol. And I think we’re seeing a real change in that now, even within the athlete cohorts. There are a bunch of former athletes running the TCS Sydney Marathon this weekend, doing the same thing everyone else is doing, and prioritising their own well being physically and mentally.” 

Nights out have been replaced by early morning workouts. Image: Coogee Run Club

And as for the 330am alarm that will go off this weekend? As well as every single alarm that’s gone off during the Coogee Run Club’s 16 week Sydney Marathon training plan? I've come to love them. 

“I think getting out and getting active stimulates your brain in a productive way and that little small win in the morning helps you have multiple wins throughout the day,” Youngquest says. 

“What’s that old adage? Win the morning, win the day.”

Originally published as Why Aussies are ditching evening workouts for sunrise sessions and sold-out marathons