When is the next Sydney Marathon?

Sunday, August 29, 2027. Confirm on the official site before you book travel.

How do you get into the Sydney Marathon?

There are 5 ways in: public ballot; high performance program (time-qualified, guaranteed); run for charity; travel program (official travel partners); abbott wmm race draw. The ballot for the next August race opens in late September and runs about three weeks (for 2027: 29 September - 19 October 2026, results and charges on 3 November 2026). High Performance Program applications are taken in mid-September (14-18 September 2026 for 2027).

What is the Sydney Marathon time limit?

7 hours, counted from when the start window closes

How many people run the Sydney Marathon?

36,295 participants in 2026 (official ballot page). The homepage says '40,000+ runners in 2026' and the ballot page says '40,000+ starting positions'. 123,000+ ballot applications for 2026.

Does the Sydney Marathon count toward the Six Star medal?

No. Sydney is a World Marathon Major, but the Six Star medal covers the original six: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. The series' next milestone is the Nine Star medal.

World Marathon Major #5 · Sydney, Australia

Sydney Marathon 2027

Checked against the race's own pages on September 25, 2026

Newest Abbott World Marathon Major; crosses Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishes at the Sydney Opera House.

It joined the World Marathon Majors in November 2024.

There are 5 ways to get an entry. Each is below, with when it opens, taken from the race's own site.

Track your World Majors Official site

Next race: Sunday, August 29, 2027
Where: Sydney, Australia
Ways to get in: 5

Key facts

Next race: Sunday, August 29, 2027
Latest race: August 30, 2026
Start: North Sydney (Miller Street)
Finish: Sydney Opera House
Time limit: 7 hours, counted from when the start window closes
Field: 36,295 participants in 2026 (official ballot page). The homepage says '40,000+ runners in 2026' and the ballot page says '40,000+ starting positions'. 123,000+ ballot applications for 2026.
Official site: tcssydneymarathon.com

How to get into the Sydney Marathon

Public ballot

Free to enter; successful applicants are charged when selected (fees: AUD 280 domestic, AUD 330 international). The 2027 ballot runs 10:00 AEST 29 September to 10:00 AEDT 19 October 2026; successful applicants are notified and charged on 3 November 2026.

High Performance Program (time-qualified, guaranteed)

1,200 guaranteed, non-complimentary places for 2027: 600 Sub-Elite (fastest overall) and 600 Good for Age (fastest within each age and gender group). Example standard for ages 18-34: 2:45:00 (men) or 3:18:00 (women and non-binary), run on a World Athletics-certified course since 1 July 2025. The 2027 window was 14-18 September 2026 and has closed.

Run for Charity

Guaranteed entries are allocated by the official charity partners, subject to their application and fundraising requirements.

Travel Program (official travel partners)

International runners can get guaranteed entry bundled with travel from 100+ official travel partners, with Marathon Tours & Travel as the lead tour operator.

Abbott WMM Race Draw

Runners with an Abbott WMM Runner Portal who meet the draw's completed-Majors requirement can enter a small draw; eligibility and results show in the portal.

The course

Starts on Miller Street, North Sydney, crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge, loops through Centennial Park and passes Mrs Macquarie's Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden before finishing at the Sydney Opera House. Official figures: +313 m elevation gain and an 83 m net drop.

Good to know

Sydney is a Major, but it doesn't count toward the Six Star medal, which covers the original six.

Sydney Marathon questions

When is the next Sydney Marathon?: Sunday, August 29, 2027. Confirm on the official site before you book travel.
How do you get into the Sydney Marathon?: There are 5 ways in: public ballot; high performance program (time-qualified, guaranteed); run for charity; travel program (official travel partners); abbott wmm race draw. The ballot for the next August race opens in late September and runs about three weeks (for 2027: 29 September - 19 October 2026, results and charges on 3 November 2026). High Performance Program applications are taken in mid-September (14-18 September 2026 for 2027).
What is the Sydney Marathon time limit?: 7 hours, counted from when the start window closes
How many people run the Sydney Marathon?: 36,295 participants in 2026 (official ballot page). The homepage says '40,000+ runners in 2026' and the ballot page says '40,000+ starting positions'. 123,000+ ballot applications for 2026.
Does the Sydney Marathon count toward the Six Star medal?: No. Sydney is a World Marathon Major, but the Six Star medal covers the original six: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. The series' next milestone is the Nine Star medal.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from these pages, read on September 25, 2026. Dates, fees and entry rules change every year; the official site is the authority.

tcssydneymarathon.com: Official name, 30 August 2026 race, 40,000+ runners and 140+ countries in 2026, Harbour Bridge start / Opera House finish
tcssydneymarathon.com: 2027 race date 29 August 2027, ballot 29 Sept - 19 Oct, results and charges 3 Nov 2026, fees, 123,000+ applications, 36,295 participants in 2026
tcssydneymarathon.com: 2027 HPP: 1,200 guaranteed places, standards, window since 1 July 2025, application 14-18 September
tcssydneymarathon.com: Course: Miller Street start, Harbour Bridge, Centennial Park, Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Opera House finish, +313 m / -83 m, 7-hour limit
tcssydneymarathon.com: 7-hour limit from start-window closure; minimum age 18
tcssydneymarathon.com: Guaranteed charity entries allocated by charity partners
tcssydneymarathon.com: Travel Program: guaranteed entries with travel packages, 100+ partners, Marathon Tours & Travel as lead operator (2026 page)
worldmarathonmajors.com: Sydney became the seventh Major in Nov 2024; Six Star medal stays for the original six

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