The TCS Sydney Marathon is the newest member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and on 31 August 2025, 35,000 runners will take part in the race.
Here’s our ultimate guide to the Sydney Marathon where we’ll cover:
Everything you need to know and do ahead of the race
What to pack in your Sydney Marathon drop bag
How to get to the start of the Sydney Marathon and when the race starts
What the Sydney Marathon course is like
SYDNEY MARATHON: WELCOME TO THE MAJORS!
The Sydney Marathon was first held in 2000 as a legacy event from the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, and in 2024 it was confirmed that the race was to become the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major – 2025’s race is its first as a Major.
With 35,000 runners hitting the streets of Sydney, organisers are promising one of the most fun and scenic marathons in the world, and it certainly has some iconic sights for runners to enjoy during the run including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
THE SYDNEY MARATHON RUNNING SHOW (BIB COLLECTION AND BAG DROP)
Runners must attend the Sydney Marathon Running Show to collect their race bib and to drop off a finish line bag, if they want one – there is no bag drop on the morning of the race.
The Sydney Marathon Running Show is held at the International Convention Centre (ICC Sydney) and is open at the following times:
Thursday 28 August: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Friday 29 August: 8:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday 30 August: 9:00am – 4:00pm
To help with managing the event, runners are asked to submit their intended arrival time at the Running Show. Friends, family and non-runners can attend the Running Show.
All runners must collect their own bib from the Running Show. You cannot have someone collect your bib for you.
Runners must have a valid ID (passport or an Australian driving license) and confirmation email with QR code to collect their bib (email and SMS reminders will be sent during event week)
Runners also collect their finisher t-shirt at the Running Show, and not at the finish line
SYDNEY MARATHON BAG DROP
There is no bag drop at the start line on the morning of the race. If you want to drop off a bag to collect at the finish line then you need to do this at the Running Show.
What does this mean? You need to take post-race items to the Running Show and put them in a bag which you will receive there. It also means that anything you travel with to the start line either has to go with you to the finish line, or you leave it at the start (left items of clothing will be donated to charity).
How does the Sydney Marathon bag drop work?
When collecting your bib at the Running Show you’ll receive a POLLAST!C bag (35cm x 45cm) made from Recycled Ocean Bound plastic, plus a baggage label
Pack your post-race items into the provided bag at the designated packing area
Insert the baggage label into the clear pouch then stick the label holder down with the bag’s adhesive.
Drop it off at the Baggage Desk where it will be safely transferred to the Parade Ground, a short walk from the marathon finish line. You will need to be wearing your race bib to collect your bag at the finish.
Bag Drop Guidelines
You can only use the official bag only and it’s one bag per runner
Do not put valuables (phones, wallets, keys) in the bag
No fresh food
No liquids over 100ml (unless in a clear container)
All bags may be searched by staff
Prohibited items include: glass, cans, alcohol, electronics over 170mm, aerosols, weapons, fireworks, or anything unsafe
What to put in your Sydney Marathon drop bag? Consider putting the following items in your drop bag – remember that you must take these with you to the Running Show when you collect your bib.
Change of clothes, spare top, change of socks (top tip: collect your finisher tee and put it straight into your drop bag to wear after the race)
Warm layer or jacket
Spare pair of shoes or flip flops/sliders
Hygiene items (face wipes, roll-on deodorant, etc)
Post run snacks like a protein bar
Small amount of cash
GETTING TO THE START OF THE SYDNEY MARATHON
The Sydney Marathon begins on Miller Street in North Sydney, by the North Sydney Oval. The best way to get to the start is by train and metro – all runners get free public transport on race day.
The race has three Start Groups: Red, Green and Orange. Red and Orange are advised to arrive via Victoria Cross Metro or North Sydney Station, and Green are advised to arrive via Crows Nest Metro. Expect a 10-15 minute walk to the start area from the stations.
Start Groups each have different suggested arrival times to the race village, and to enter the start chute. Check your individual times ahead of the race. Race bibs have all your start line information printed on them.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RUNNING THE SYDNEY MARATHON
🔴🟢🟠 There are three Start Groups (1, 2 and 3) with three Assembly Areas in each group (Red, Green, Orange). Each runner will have a Start Group, Assembly Area and Start Chute. All those details will be printed on your race bib.
🕕 The elite runners start the Sydney Marathon at 6.30am, followed by the masses in three groups:
Start Group 1 will begin from 6:31am
Start Group 2 will begin from 7:03am
Start Group 3 will begin from 7:41am
It’s a rolling start in each group, so you may begin up to 30 minutes after the group start time.
The final starters are expected to cross the start line at 8:15am.
🎈 There are many pacers in the race. From 2:40 to 4:50, there are pacers for every five minute interval. Then from 5:00 to 7:00 there are pacers for every 15 minutes. There is also a sweeper pace at cut off pace.
🏁 There is a seven hour cut off (3:15pm) for the final finishers. That requires maintaining a pace of 10 minutes per kilometre throughout the race.
🪧 The Sydney Marathon is run in kilometres and there is a sign at each kilometre marker.
💧 There is water and Powerade (Mountain Blast flavour – that’s the blue one) near every 5km course marker, plus extra stations with just water every 2-3km in between. GU energy gels are at 20km and 30km.
🗑️ All drink is in paper cups. There are bins for used cups after water stations. There are also special purple bins for gel wrappers, so don’t discard wrappers on course and hold the trash until you reach the bins.
🚽 There are toilets in the start area and at every water stations. Public urination is illegal.
🎧 Headphones are discouraged but not banned. Open ear headphones are recommended for all runners wishing to wear headphones.
🎒 Hydration vests and packs are allowed at the Sydney Marathon.
🌤️ The average temperature at 6am on 31 August in Sydney from the past six years is 13ºC (55ºF), with a range from 9-17ºC (48-62ºF). Temperatures may rise to 18-22ºC (64-72ºF) through the day. There could be rain or sun, and wind varies. Check the forecast in the days ahead to know what to wear on race day and what to pack in your drop bag.
WHAT IS THE SYDNEY MARATHON COURSE LIKE?
We ranked the seven Marathon Majors and decided that Sydney was the most challenging course, and we came to the conclusion based on several factors: it’s the hilliest major, it involves a lot of travel for many runners, it has an early start time, and weather can be unpredictable. But, it’s also one of the most scenic and fun big city marathons.
The Sydney Marathon is hilly but there’s more overall downhill than uphill in the race. Hopefully you’ve been running hills in your Sydney Marathon training.
Net elevation gain: 313 metres (1,027ft)
Net elevation loss: 396 metres (1,299ft)
Total elevation change: -83 metres loss (272ft)
The race organisers aren’t really showcasing the hills in the best way with the official map below – it looks like UTMB! – but it’s a good indication of the constant elevation changes in the race.
While the elevation map looks dramatic, rarely are the hills dramatically steep (honestly!).
The first kilometre is -4% to -6% gradient
Sydney Harbour Bridge is around +2.5% gradient on the way up and -3% coming down
The incline along Oxford Street is +3%
The longer incline from 24-27k is only around +1%, but it’s constant and you’ll feel this
The return down Oxford Street and to the Botanical Gardens is a very welcome -3%
The final hill is a bit of a mean one, coming so late in the race, and averages +3%
Then it’s a nice steady downhill (-3%) to the finish
TOP TIPS FOR RUNNING THE SYDNEY MARATHON
Be patient in the opening section. There’s a big overall downhill and you get the thrill of being on the Harbour Bridge, but don’t overdo it.
Settle into your pace from 5km to 12km where the course levels out, and where you’ll run under the Harbour Bridge.
Be careful not to push too hard over the hills in the next few kilometres through The Rocks and the CBD, then up the hill to Oxford Street – you’re still early in the race.
From 16-25km it’s relatively flat and you can settle into a controlled pace, including on the out and back section.
At 30km you get to Centennial Park which is scenic and shaded with rolling terrain. Take some time to steady yourself here as it can be a few calmer kilometres before heading back into the busy city.
By 40km the Opera House is in sight and you’re in the Botanic Gardens. You’ve enjoyed some nice downhills to get there, but there’s one final hill before the final downhill which will be lined with cheering supporters.
THE SYDNEY MARATHON FINISH AREA AND BAG COLLECTION
The Sydney Marathon has one of the most incredible finish lines in the world directly in front of the Sydney Opera House.
Cross the finish line and you’ve got to keep on moving and make your way through to bag collection, in what race organisers have called the Walk-Off.
Once you pass over the line you’ll collect your medal and a recovery bag (with water, Powerade, fruit and a Carman’s muesli bar), then you’ll be directed towards bag collection (around 500m away). Just show your bib at the relevant location and you’ll get the bag you dropped off at the Running Show.
Once you’ve collected your drop bag, you can relax in the Recovery Village Beer Garden.
There’s a Runner Reunite area on the Parade Ground to meet with family and friends after the race. There are alphabetical signs to help decide exactly where to meet.
HOW TO ENTER THE SYDNEY MARATHON
Most runners enter the Sydney Marathon via the general ballot. In previous years, the ballot has opened in December with results announced in January. Enter via the Sydney Marathon website.
If you don’t get a ballot place then there are many places available via international tour companies and around 6,000 places are reserved for charity runners – you apply directly with charities (minimum commitments vary but expect AU$4,000+).
FAQS ON THE SYDNEY MARATHON
Is the Sydney Marathon course hilly?Yes, it’s a hilly marathon – the hilliest (and arguably hardest) of the major marathons. But it’s not exactly a mountain race and there are no really steep hills to worry about, it’s more of a rolling hilly race. Just pace yourself smartly and don’t try to push too hard on the ups or the downs.
Does the Sydney Marathon go over Sydney Harbour Bridge?Yes! The race begins just north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and runners cross over the iconic landmark early in the race. It’s one of the best starts to any big city marathon. You also run beneath the bridge after around 10.5km.
Why does the Sydney Marathon start so early?The race begins at 6.30am and this is to minimise traffic disruptions on major roads, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, plus to finish the race before the warmest part of the day – it may be early spring in Sydney but it still gets hot.
AUTHOR BIO
Mark has run over 20 marathons and ultramarathons and is obsessive in his planning for races, making sure he’s organised for each marathon he takes on. He’s running the 2025 Sydney Marathon.
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Lead image from the Sydney Marathon
