Sydney's ambition to join the prestigious World Marathon Majors circuit is gaining significant traction. This Tuesday, the city announced that the 2024 marathon had reached its capacity with 24,000 runners, setting a new record for any edition of the endurance classic in Australia.
Tracing its roots back to the 2000 Olympic Games, the Sydney Marathon is in its second year of an appraisal process aimed at joining the elite global series alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York marathons starting from 2025.
\"This is a momentous year for the Sydney marathon as we aim to become the next … World Marathon Major,\" said race director Wayne Larden in a recent news release.
\"We are committed to delivering a world-class event that Australia is proud of, and we look forward to welcoming a record number of runners and spectators locally, nationally, and from around the world to make history.\"
Last year's marathon around the harbor city saw a record 17,000 runners and over 100,000 spectators in attendance. While Sydney has made remarkable progress, it still aims to match the interest levels of more established races. For instance, the London Marathon organizers revealed they received 840,318 applications for the ballot to run their 2025 race.
The 2024 Sydney Marathon is scheduled to take place on a new course on the morning of September 15, promising an exciting experience for participants and fans alike.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com