In brief
Sydney is set to make history as it becomes the seventh World Major Marathon in 2025, joining the ranks of New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo. The big announcement came during the New York City Marathon, where Sydney's accomplishment was highlighted as a significant milestone for the event and for global marathon running.
The Sydney Marathon, which saw remarkable growth in participation, has been approved for the elite designation following a rigorous three-year examination by the Abbott World Marathon Majors. In just two years, entries surged from 5,000 in 2022 to an expected 33,000 in 2025, a clear testament to the marathon's rising popularity. The 2024 edition of the event was particularly noteworthy, attracting over 20,000 finishers.Dawn Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors, expressed admiration for Sydney's efforts, noting the improvements in operations and participant experience over the years. This designation marks Sydney as the first new addition to the World Major roster since Tokyo joined in 2013.Furthermore, the marathon's elevation to "Major" status introduces a seven-star program for marathoners, This expands the existing six-star finishers, creating anticipation for an expanded nine-star program in the future, with discussions underway about potentially including Cape Town and Shanghai.Scheduled for August 31, 2025, the Sydney Marathon's finish line will be set against the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Opera House, promising a spectacular event for marathon enthusiasts around the world.
