Sydney Marathon could inject $300m into NSW economy if elevated to Abbott World Marathon Major status

Up to $300m could be injected into the state’s economy over the next decade if Sydney was to become an Abbott World Marathon Major.

Up to $300m could be injected into the state’s economy over the next decade if Sydney becomes only the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, joining the likes of New York and London.

The city is on the clock to prove just how valuable its marathon is, already breaking records this year for participants, with 25,000 starters ready to set off from its new start line in North Sydney.

As runners make their way across the Harbour Bridge, 150,000 spectators are expected to line the streets all the way through Sydney’s beautiful city, before participants make their way back to the harbour with the famous Opera House as a back drop to the finish line.

According to exclusive numbers from Destination NSW, the Sydney Marathon “could contribute up to $300m to the state’s visitor economy” over the next decade.

The agency’s projections estimate a jump in 8,300 participants for next year’s race with just shy of $23m in total estimated visitor expenditure.

2023 Sydney Marathon winner Othmane El Goumri. Picture: Monique Harmer/ NCA NewsWire

NSW Tourism Minister John Graham is running in Sunday’s Sydney Marathon. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The number of participants is expected to gradually grow each year, with just more than $73m total estimated visitor expenditure projected altogether between 2025 and 2027.

NSW Tourism Minister John Graham told The Daily Telegraph becoming an Abbott World Marathon Major “is not just about the prestige” of Sydney joining the likes of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.

“It is about becoming a bucket-list city for runners around the world and the ongoing visitor and economic boost that will provide for NSW,” he said.

“More than 840,000 people have applied to run in the London Marathon next year alone. If Sydney is to take its place in this group we expect runners from interstate and across the world wanting to take their place on the start line – every one of whom will need a hotel room, may bring family and other support and will likely want to enjoy a holiday while here in NSW.”

Mr Graham said this edition of the Sydney Marathon was “critical” for it to gain major status, and he urged Sydneysiders to “get out and cheer on the runners, raise the atmosphere and back the event towards the next level”.