Sydney Marathon joins New York and London in world major series

Sydney will join the ranks of the world’s most iconic cities as it becomes the seventh Abbott World Marathon major, alongside the likes of New York, London and Tokyo.

Sydney will join the ranks of the world’s most iconic cities as it becomes the seventh Abbott World Marathon major, alongside the likes of New York and London.

Sydney Marathon will form part of an elite circuit, of which the Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, London and New York marathons are currently the only members.

The announcement of Sydney’s inclusion in the group was made at the New York marathon overnight and will likely see more than $73 million injected into the NSW economy over the next three years with an extra $300 million over the next decade as a result.

Thousands of runners are expected to descend on Sydney from across the globe to participate in the Harbour run, with those who have all six marathon majors under their belt keen to add Sydney to their bucket list.

Crowds watch from the Opera House steps at the finish line of the 2024 Sydney Marathon at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The soon-to-be world-famous route takes runners over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, past Barangaroo and the Royal Botanic Gardens, finishing at the Opera House.

The inclusion of Sydney Marathon into the majors is expected to dramatically increase both participation and viewership of the event with the other marathon giants currently watched by an average of 20 million viewers.

More than 840,000 people have applied to run in the London Marathon next year, despite there only being enough places for 55,000 runners.

Sydney Marathon organisers have been pushing for the event’s inclusion in the majors over an intense three-year judging period. In that time the event grew from more than 5000 entrants in 2022 to 25,000 this year.

Next year it is expected that 33,300 runners will hit the starting line, rising to almost 38,000 in 2027.

As part of the assessment criteria the event requires a significant amount of government funding, which is upwards of $10 million.

People pictured crossing the finish line of the 2024 Sydney Marathon at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Premier Chris Minns said the inclusion of Sydney Marathon in the world majors club, cemented the harbour city as one of the great marathon cities of the world and would be a major boon for the local economy.

“Achieving major marathon status is a huge honour and we are proud to be a funding and strategic partner of the Sydney Marathon,” he said.

“We have ambitious plans to boost the number of visitors in NSW and this event is another feather in our cap.”

TCS Sydney Marathon race director Wayne Larden said the move would change the face of running in Australia.

“Becoming the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major is just incredible for the event, as well as for Sydney and NSW,” he said.

“This amazing milestone is going to have a profound impact on running in Australia, inspiring the community to become a marathoner and do something special for themselves, their families and friends.”

Runners from left Henry-John Davis, 38, and Wouter Le Fevre, 43 are excited to see Sydney included in the majors. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Regular pavement pounders Daniel-John Davis, Wouter Le Fevre and Andrew Nevin are excited to see the Sydney Marathon included in the Majors.

“It’s awesome to see,” said Mr Davis, 38, who this year ran the Sydney Marathon for the first time.

“It’s a great course that deserves the recognition.”

Olympic runner Isobel Batt-Doyle said the elevation of the event would completely change the crowd dynamic.

“The crowds are incredible - they bring out the city and bring people out from all over the world,” she said.

“At the New York Marathon they have crowds of 10 people thick along the whole stretch of the track and that is very normal for the majors.”

Olympic marathon runners Izzy Batt-Doyle and Andy Buchanan have welcomed the move to make Sydney Marathon an official event for the Abbot World Marathon majors. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers

Professional marathon runner Andy Buchanan said the move would likely increase Australia’s running boom, convincing more people to get involved.

“It’s massive news for the whole of Australia - so many people aspire to run a marathon and the majors are the pinnacle of the running experience,” he said.

“The fact that people will be able to do that in Australia and come here to run is phenomenal.”

Australian Marathon runner Ed Goddard said the Sydney circuit was by far the most beautiful out of all the tracks around the world.

“Sydney is by far the most picturesque,” he said.

“The fact you get to run across the Harbour Bridge and finish down by the Opera House is incredible, it really showcases the whole harbour.”