40,000 runners to hit streets of Sydney

Aussies in one city have been warned of traffic chaos this weekend, with more than two dozen major road closures.

Sydneysiders have been urged to prepare for extensive road closures this weekend, as up to 40,000 runners descend on the city for the annual Sydney Marathon.

Major roads will close from North Sydney to Moore Park between 3:30am and 3pm on Sunday, September 17 to make way for the race.

“Travel across the city will be very limited for majority of the day,” NSW Transport warned.

The areas to avoid driving in on Sunday. Picture: Transport NSW.

The event — which also includes a half-marathon, 10-kilometre bridge run, wheelchair marathon and family fun run — starts at Bradfield Park at Milsons Point. Marathon runners will cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge and continue through the Sydney CBD, Pyrmont, The Rocks, Darlinghurst, Moore Park and Centennial Park.

The associated road closures are more severe than normal this year due to changes to the course. The 2023 event is an Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate Event, meaning if it meets certain requirements, it may join the likes of Tokyo, Boston and TCS London as a major marathon.

“The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway and Western Distributor will close from 4am to 10am,” Transport for NSW Coordinator General Howard Collins said.

“The Sydney Harbour Tunnel will remain open but extensive delays are expected.

“Major roads from the Sydney Opera House to Moore Park, including Macquarie St, College St, Park St, and parts of Oxford St and Flinders St will close between 4am and 3pm.”

Changes to the route mean road closures are more extensive than usual. Picture: Transport NSW.

Mr Collins urged everyone in Sydney this weekend, and motorists in particular, to avoid non-essential travel.

“If you must drive, be aware that significant detours will be in place and long delays are expected. So, please leave plenty of extra time to reach your destination, particularly when driving between the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs,” he said.

“Motorists will only be able to travel east/west across the course via Cleveland St or the Cross City Tunnel, which will be toll-free from 5am to 3pm on the day, however, lengthy delays are still expected.”

Sydney Marathon ambassadors Sinead Diver and Steve Moneghetti. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Parking will be affected across swathes of the city, with extensive special event clearway restrictions on many roads along and surrounding the course.

Residents were also warned of public transport chaos with significant bus detours and early ends to trips. Light rail in the CBD will not run between Circular Quay and Town Hall from first service to 11am, while bus services to and from the city, North Sydney, Pyrmont and Moore Park will be diverting from their regular routes.

Participants were urged to leave their cars at home and catch public transport, with travel on all transport modes covered by their Sydney Marathon registration. Extra trains will run to Milsons Point to ferry runners to the start line, while the finish line is within walking distance to transport hubs including Circular Quay, Wynyard and Martin Place.

Various roads will be closed from 3.30am to 3pm. Picture: Transport NSW.

Full list of Sydney Marathon road closures

• 3.30am to 11am: Roads at the start line in Milsons Point including Alfred St South.
• 4am to 8.30am: Roads in Millers Point and Barangaroo including sections of Watsons Rd, Upper Fort St and Argyle St.
• 4am to 9:30am: Roads in Pyrmont north including Bowman St and Pirrama Rd.
• 4am to 10am: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway, Western Distributor and some roads in Milsons Point and Pyrmont.
• 4am to 10:30am: Roads in Millers Point including Hickson Rd, Dalgety Rd and Towns Place.
• 4am to 11am: Roads in The Rocks and Dawes Point including Hickson Rd and George St.
• 4am to 2pm: Roads in Moore Park including Moore Park Rd, Driver Ave. Centennial Park will also be closed to vehicles. Eastern Distributor Bondi Exit to Moore Park Rd will close from 2am – 4am and from 1:15pm – 2pm.
• 4am to 2:30pm: Park St, College St, Oxford St and Flinders St from the city, Darlinghurst through to Moore Park.
• 4am to 3pm: Roads in Sydney CBD east including Macquarie St, Bridge St, College St and Art Gallery Rd.
• 5:30am to 11am: Roads in Sydney CBD north and Circular Quay including Bridge St, Pitt St, Loftus St and Young St.
• 6:30am to 12pm: Southbound lanes of Anzac Pde from Moore Park Rd to Lang Rd at Moore Park. Eastern Distributor Randwick Anzac Pde exit will also be closed.