Runners could flock to Sydney from around world as ‘fitness tourism’ craze takes flight

Travellers are already shunning Bali booze-ups in favour of running holidays, and Sydney could be about to benefit in a big way. 

“Fitness tourism” could bring thousands of runners to Sydney from across the globe as an influx of domestic and international visitors embrace the concept, opting for running holidays rather than partying on the Gold Coast or boozing up in Bali.

One of the many fitness groups already popping up throughout the harbour city is Unofficial Run Club, which was founded by friends Chad Cohen, Josh Wainstein, Sam Dreyfus, Sander Dalhuisen and Sarah Gellatly.

While still in its infancy, the group boasts 53,300 Instagram followers and celebrated its first birthday at Sunday’s TCS Sydney Marathon, with about 100 of its members, including “many” from overseas, taking part.

Mr Cohen, who has completed the New York and London marathons in the past year, said he had experienced first-hand the growing feeling around the “fitness tourism” concept, which he believes is a “healthy trend”.

Chad Cohen, one of the founders of Unofficial Run Club. Picture: Supplied

“Travelling for a world major is an extraordinary experience,” he said.

“I can only imagine what it would do for Sydney’s economy (if the Sydney Marathon becomes one).”

Mr Cohen said he made the marathons into “a bit of a trip” to enjoy the city “on either side of the race”.

“Each of the marathons I have done have left me feeling a different way about the city,” he said.

“I really look forward to seeing what Sydney will curate as it hopefully gets acknowledged … as a major.”

Unofficial Run Club supporters. Picture: Supplied

With the race already reporting a 350 per cent increase in international runners, NSW Tourism Minister John Graham expects a further jump if the event becomes an Abbott World Marathon Major.

“The Sydney Marathon was an incredible success and we expect that if it is named as the world’s seventh … major, it will draw some of the fittest visitors to our shores,” he said.

“Major status will make the marathon an instant bucket list event for many in the global running scene and provide an estimated $300m into the NSW visitor economy over a decade.”

Crowds near the finish line of the Sydney Marathon. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Mr Graham projected nearly 13,000 more runners could hit the start line over the next three years.

Sunday’s race already broke records, with 25,000 runners and 4000 on standby.

“Many of them will (want to) stay to explore Sydney and other parts of NSW,” he said.

Sydney Marathon runners Shannen Lane and Gemma Byrne. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Tribal Run Club members Shannen Lane and Gemma Byrne praised the sheer number of volunteers and spectators on Sunday, with more than 100,000 lining Sydney’s streets.

The pair said Sydney had everything it needed to become a major.

“I think … running over the bridge is completely historic … it never gets old,” Ms Lane said.

“You run past so many famous landmarks … the route is fantastic … even the amount of international runners (already) … was phenomenal.”

Being Irish expats themselves, the pair said the word had spread back home with friends adding the race to their bucket lists and “wanting to come over”.