Sydney, Australia – On Sunday morning, August 31 (Saturday afternoon, Aug 30 in EST), Sydney will make history. For the first time, the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Sydney Marathon will be staged as the Seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, joining the most prestigious races in the sport: Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo.”
For HopNews readers, the Boston Marathon holds a special place—as the world’s oldest annual marathon, first run in 1897, it has long been considered the crown jewel of distance running. Now, Sydney joins Boston and five other global cities in the Majors series, expanding the sport’s most exclusive club into the Southern Hemisphere for the very first time and making the series truly global.
From Candidate to Major in Record Time
The Sydney Marathon’s rise has been remarkable. Approximately 5,000 runners participated in the 2022 event. This year, more than 35,000 entrants are expected to line up, making it the largest marathon in Australian history. Demand has soared, with 79,000 applicants from 156 countries.
For Race Director Wayne Larden, the journey from candidate to Major has always been about more than numbers. “Even back when I began, I knew Sydney had all the ingredients to be something truly special,” he said. “It wasn’t about being the biggest or the fastest. We just wanted to be one of the best.”
A Vision of Excellence
Larden often compares building the Sydney Marathon to training for the marathon itself—a process that requires patience, discipline, and teamwork. “Success isn’t an individual pursuit,” he explained. “Like elite athletes, organizers need vision, relentless preparation, and great teams. You strive day by day, year by year, to create something that will endure.”
That vision was realized when Abbott World Marathon Majors awarded Sydney its coveted Major status last year, confirming what Larden had long believed: the city’s marathon could stand among the best in the world.
A Finish Line Like No Other
When asked what makes Sydney unique, Larden points to the course itself. “We’ve got the Harbour Bridge at the start, the Opera House at the finish, and iconic landmarks and parklands in between,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine a marathon course that better showcases a city.”
Running as Business, Running as Community
Global partners have played a pivotal role in this achievement. Tata Consultancy Services, already the title partner of the New York and London Marathons, brought Sydney into its global marathon portfolio. “These races align with our values and inspire our employees,” said Michelle Taylor of TCS. “Healthy employees create healthier companies.”
Taylor highlighted the company’s Fit for Life program, which encourages employees to engage in activities such as running, walking, yoga, and other forms of exercise across its global workforce of hundreds of thousands.
“We’ve seen incredible stories of employees who start with a daily walk and build up to their first 5K, half marathon, or even marathon,” she said. “It’s about helping people feel healthier, and when our employees thrive, our company thrives.”
A Field Worthy of the Majors
Sydney’s debut year as a Major has attracted one of the strongest elite fields ever seen in Australia.
For Larden, assembling this caliber of field is proof of Sydney’s place on the global stage. “It tells the world we’re not just a scenic race,” he said. “We’re delivering a competition that belongs on the same stage as Boston, New York, and Berlin.”
Two of the fastest marathoners in the world
Eliud Kipchoge, left, is a Kenyan marathon runner regarded as the greatest of all time, having won Olympic gold medals in the marathon at both the 2016 and 2020 Games. Additionally, he’s the first person ever to run a marathon in under two hours, which he did in 2019. His motto is, “No human is limited,” and his world records have inspired many.
Sifan Hassan, right, is a Dutch marathon runner and reigning Olympic marathon champion, with a personal best of 2:13:44, which ranks her as the third-fastest woman in marathon history. She won the London and Chicago Marathons in 2023 and placed third at the 2025 London Marathon.
With this field of elite athletes, the Sydney Marathon will be one for the record books.
More Than a Race
Government leaders also see the marathon as a civic celebration. NSW Minister Stephen Kamper described it as “Sydney at its best,” projecting more than $300 million in economic benefit over the next decade through tourism, jobs, and local business.
The marathon is also leaving a lasting legacy of giving back. In 2025 alone, the event helped raise a record $8 million for charity, more than tripling the total from any previous year.
Behind the scenes, police and transport officials are mobilizing to keep Sydney moving. Roads across the Harbour Bridge and CBD will close, public transport will expand from 4 A.M., and a significant police presence will ensure safety for runners and spectators alike.
A Dream Realized
Born from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, the marathon now carries that legacy forward. For Larden, who has worked toward this milestone for years, the moment is deeply personal. “What I hope for most is that everyone gets home safely and has a great day in Sydney,” he said. “That’s what will matter most when we cross the finish line as a Major.”
But even in his modest words, there is quiet pride. On Sunday, as 35,000 runners from 156 countries stream toward the Opera House steps, Sydney will no longer just be hosting a race; it will be standing shoulder to shoulder with Boston, New York, London, Berlin, Chicago, and Tokyo—as part of the world’s marathon family.
In her closing remarks, Abbott World Marathon Majors CEO Dawn Stone reflected on the moment:
“This is the first running of the TCS Sydney Marathon as the seventh World Marathon Major.” We are about to witness more than 35,000 runners cross the finish line to claim their series star. Watching them as they approach one of the most spectacular finish lines in the world—with the Harbour Bridge at the start and the Opera House in the background—will be a truly historic event.”
“As CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors, I am proud to welcome the TCS Sydney Marathon to our family. Together with Wayne Larden and his team, we had the vision, the drive, and the will to make it happen. Our goal is to inspire the world through the power of the marathon, and I am certain that everyone here will feel that power.”
Her final words carried the weight of history:
“You have earned your place among the best of the best. Wayne, Sydney has arrived. Welcome to the Abbott World Marathon Majors family.”
Dr. Maria Bendeck is a board-certified internal medicine physician, freelance writer, world traveler, avid marathon runner, and community builder. In addition to running the Sydney Marathon, Dr. Bendeck is part of the Sydney Marathon press corps as a journalist for HopNews.
