Sydney Marathon Poised for Major Status as Record Field Gears Up
Sydney Marathon’s Bid for World Marathon Majors Status
The Sydney Marathon is set to make history as it moves closer to becoming the newest member of the prestigious World Marathon Majors (WMM) series. With the largest marathon field ever assembled in Australia preparing to tackle 42 kilometers through Sydney’s streets this Sunday, the event is on track to potentially join the elite ranks of the global marathon circuit.
If successful, Sydney will join the established ranks of New York, London, Boston, Berlin, and Chicago as the seventh race in the WMM series. This milestone would be the first addition to the series since Tokyo in 2013.
Preparations and Expectations
Wayne Larden, the marathon’s race director since 2005, has overseen the event’s transformation from a modest 2,300 finishers to a formidable 25,000 runners. This rapid growth is attributed to the race’s recent candidacy for WMM status, which has sparked significant enthusiasm and investment.
“We’re really excited for Sunday to arrive,” Larden said during a news conference in Sydney. “We’re prepared, we’re ready. All of our plans look good on paper, I feel we’re ticking all the boxes. So we’ve just got to go out there now and deliver the event as per the plans, and I’m sure we’ll meet the criteria.”
The marathon will feature a newly redesigned course, starting from North Sydney Oval—the original launch point for the 2000 Olympic marathon. This change is expected to challenge the organizing team, but Larden remains optimistic about their preparedness.
The Role of World Marathon Majors
The World Marathon Majors series, launched in 2006, aims to bring together the world’s most prestigious marathons. The WMM candidacy program, introduced in 2017, allows for a maximum of nine races in the series. Dawna Stone, WMM Chief Executive, highlighted Sydney’s potential to enhance the global reach of the series.
“The word ‘world’ in World Marathon Majors implies a global presence, and we’re looking to expand our reach,” Stone said outside Sydney’s iconic Opera House. “Sydney is an iconic city that everyone wants to visit. If everything goes according to plan, I am hopeful that they will become the next major.”
Elite Competitors and Exciting Races
A critical component of the WMM evaluation is the presence of a strong elite field. This year’s Sydney Marathon will feature notable competitors, including Gotytom Gebreslase, the 2022 world champion, who will compete in the women’s race. In the men’s race, Ethiopian runner Leul Gebresilase, a bronze medallist from last year’s World Championships, will be among the contenders.
The women’s wheelchair race will also attract significant attention, with defending champion Madison de Rozario participating. De Rozario, who won silver in the Paris Paralympics marathon just a week ago, has returned to Australia to compete.
“I love the marathon, it’s my favorite event,” de Rozario said. “Doing two in a week is pretty brutal, but a lot of us love it, so I’m glad to be here.”
Looking Ahead
The WMM assessment team will be on the ground in Sydney on race day to evaluate the marathon’s performance against the series criteria. A decision on whether Sydney will join the WMM series is expected in October.
The outcome will be pivotal for Sydney, marking a significant achievement in the city’s marathon history and potentially setting a new standard for future races.