- The annual event has received a big boost
- He joined a very exclusive club on Monday.
Australia’s largest marathon will now become one of the most prestigious in the world after being elevated to the top of global distance events.
The Sydney Marathon was confirmed as the seventh member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in New York on Monday, capping a three-year program to improve the event.
It joins Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York as major marathons, attracting both the world’s fastest athletes and tens of thousands of destination runners.
“This is an extraordinary achievement for Sydney and a transformative moment for Australian athletics,” Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming said on Monday.
‘The Abbott World Marathon Majors represents the very best in marathon racing, and for Sydney to join this elite group is a testament to the dedication, passion and expertise of everyone involved.
“But it is an achievement that will inspire countless Australians to take up running.”
The Sydney Marathon is a legacy of the 2000 Olympic Games and was first held as a test event five months after the Games.
After 1,200 people participated in that first long ride around the city, it slowly grew over the following decades to reach around 5,000 participants in a larger festival of mixed distances.
The Sydney Marathon joins the famous New York, London and Tokyo events in the Abbott World Marathon Major series (pictured, runners at the 2023 Sydney event)
The impressive rise to the top of the world’s long-distance running will bring the fastest athletes on the planet to the port city.
After starting in 2000, the Sydney Marathon has grown from 1,200 runners to more than 5,000, and that number will now take a big leap (pictured is 2024 women’s winner Workenesh Edesa).
The event has taken a turn since he became a candidate to join the Abbott Majors in 2022.
Shorter distance events, including the popular 10km race, were abandoned, the course was revamped to eliminate low-speed corners, and incentives were implemented to encourage more races.
The finale was also made much more spectacular, moving to the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.
More than 25,000 people participated in September and that number is expected to increase to 37,000 in 2027.
Entry demand for the Abbott Majors always exceeds the size of participants, and Sydney’s closest neighbor, the Tokyo Marathon, is oversubscribed by around 500,000 applicants a year.
It is estimated that the six marathons will collectively generate $1 billion in economic activity.
Destination NSW, which funded Abbott’s bid, estimates the new status will increase visitor spending by $73 million over three years.
“New South Wales is an unbeatable hotspot for tourists from around the world and we look forward to welcoming them next year, providing a multi-million pound boost to the economy and an unforgettable experience for runners on one of the most scenic marathon courses. of the world.” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
Sydney Marathon race director Wayne Larden said community health and charity fundraising would also be major beneficiaries.
“This incredible milestone will have a profound impact on running in Australia, inspiring the community to become marathoners and do something special for themselves, their families and friends,” he said.
Until Sydney’s bid began, the Melbourne Marathon was Australia’s largest marathon, attracting 8,100 runners for its 2019 event.