How to run the Sydney Marathon: entry, training timeline and race weekend

1. Sep 29 to Oct 19, 2026Ballot Free to enter. You are only charged if you get a place.Closed
2. Nov 3, 2026Ballot results and charges Successful runners are charged the entry fee.Coming up
3. Other routesCharity and Travel Partner entries See the official sign-up page for availability.Other route
4. Aug 29, 2027Race dayComing up

Sydney does not publish an age-group qualifying table for the ballot.

The two official pages disagree by a few dollars, so confirm the final price on the sign-up page.

1. Sun Apr 25, 202718 weeks outDay one of an 18-week plan Eighteen weeks is the length of the official Chicago Marathon training plan with Nike. Pick a plan that fits the running you already do.In 169 days
2. Sun May 16, 202715 weeks outBook travel and a place to stay Lock in flights and lodging before race-week prices and availability get tight. Use the race’s official travel or housing partner if it has one.In 190 days
3. Sun Jun 20, 202710 weeks outPick a tune-up race A half marathon in the middle of your plan is a good check on your goal pace. Races Near lists halves near you.In 225 days
4. Sun Jul 18, 20276 weeks outDress rehearsal long run Run a long run in race-day kit and practice with what the course hands out: the drink, gel and electrolyte stations shown on the official course flyover.In 253 days
5. Sun Aug 8, 20273 weeks outTaper starts Follow your plan as it cuts back over the final weeks. Do not try to catch up on missed long runs now.In 274 days
6. Sun Aug 22, 20271 week outRace week Read the official participant guide, confirm your bib pickup slot and plan your route to the start.In 288 days
7. Sun Aug 29, 2027Race dayRace day Go get it.In 295 days

This is our suggested calendar, not a training plan. Use it to line up your plan of choice with the race's own dates. Running a different goal race? Try the pace calculator for your splits.

1. Start

   Miller Street, North Sydney

   Elite wheelchair athletes go at 6:15 a.m. and the mass start at 6:30. The start line celebrates the Sydney 2000 Olympic marathon. Start group times come closer to race day.

2. Landmark

   Sydney Harbour Bridge

   The course crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The official flyover shows the elevation changes and bridges, so run the climbs by effort.

3. Landmark

   Centennial Park loop

   A loop of Centennial Park with tree-lined sections. Party zones, drink, gel and electrolyte stations are marked on the official course flyover.

4. Landmark

   Royal Botanic Garden

   Past Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden.

5. Finish

   Sydney Opera House

   The finish is in front of the Opera House. The cut-off is 7 hours.

Course records: 2:04:42 (Addisu Gobena, 2026) and 2:18:22 (Sifan Hassan, 2025).

Start group times will be shared closer to race day.

• Bib collection

  • Bibs are collected at the TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show. 2027 dates and venue: not announced yet.

• Getting to the start

  • Runners are split into assembly areas: High Performance, Purple, Green and Orange.
  • Purple and Orange: train to North Sydney Station or the metro to Victoria Cross. Green: metro to Crows Nest.
  • Check the 2027 assembly area pages closer to race day. In 2026 buses were heavily affected on race morning.

• On race day

  • An official Pace Team runs on race day.
  • The official TCS Sydney Marathon app has live tracking.

• Use the Official Smart Map in the TRACX app: it shows road closures, spectator viewing spots, food, transport and live runner tracking.
• The Opera House finish and the Harbour Bridge are the headline spots. Circular Quay hosts the Motion Festival during race season.
• Expect road closures around the course. Trains and the metro are the simplest way around on race morning.