The Best Half Marathons in or Near National Parks Here’s what to know about the race down under—Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo —have become an aspirational checklist for runners across the world. Over 17,200 people have become “Six-Star finishers,” earning the coveted Six-Star medal.
But soon, a new player could be entering the game. The Sydney Marathon would become the seventh major, if Here’s what to know about the race down under (WMM) officials decide the race has met the qualifications for candidacy. This year’s edition, on September 15, was the final stage of the process, which mandates that candidate marathons meet over 100 criteria for standards like runner experience, aid stations, elite athletes, and finisher total. (WMM does not make the exact requirements publicly available.)
It’s been over a decade since Tokyo was added as the newest major in 2013, but according to Wayne Larden, the race director of the Sydney Marathon, Australia’s largest city will know if it is approved in early November.
Here’s what to know about the race down under.
Six-star medals will still count…
Don’t worry. If you’ve already checked off your Six Star, no one is going to come knocking on your door, demanding your medal. WMM has said that the program will remain in place, and if you’re on your way to running all six, you can still earn your Six Star, even if Sydney passes its candidacy. (Note: the medal will only be awarded in the future to those who complete the original six.)
…But more stars could be added
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Some people have already received their seventh Star, in fact. This year, Sydney hosted the World Age Group Championships, which is sponsored by WMM, and finishers were able to get their seventh star. (Runners in the mass race were not able to since the organization does not sanction the event—yet.)
Currently, in addition to Sydney, there are two other races that are undergoing the candidate process.
South Africa has been making a push with the Cape Town Marathon, to be held on October 20 this year. And on Wednesday, October 9, the WMM announced that China’s Shanghai Marathon would be the latest candidate race, replacing the Chengdu Marathon (also in China). Chengdu struggled to advance in the candidacy process since launching its bid in 2019. Shanghai is the most populous city in China and its 2024 marathon is slated for December 1.
If both countries make it to the next stage of the process, you could see Cape Town become a WMM as early as 2026 and Shanghai in 2027. That means we could see a Nine Star medal in the not-so-distant future.
Sydney would be the hilliest major
With 1,040 feet of elevation gain, the Sydney Marathon would be the hilliest of the WMMs. For context, the Boston and New York City marathons—which we’ve ranked the hardest out of the six—have 815 feet of net gain (Boston) and 810 feet of gain (New York). But fear not: Sydney is actually a net downhill course, dropping 1,312 feet in total.
Anna Vasina, who competed in the World Age Groups championships in the 50-54 division, said the undulating terrain wasn’t too difficult.
“People were saying how hilly the course would be … but I found the course was better than what I thought,” she said. “It was beautiful and scenic for sure, especially when you ran near or over the beautiful harbor and the finish down to the Opera House.”
The professional athletes this year seemed to navigate the hills well, posting similar winning times to New York and Boston in recent years. Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:21:41, and Kenya’s Brimin Misoi was the men’s champion, running 2:06:18. But since the race is net downhill, the course isn’t eligible for world records.
The event has been growing rapidly
In the first year of Sydney’s candidacy, in 2022, the race had about 5,000 people enter. Fast forward to this year, and nearly 25,000 entered the race, with just over 20,270 finishing. Larden, the race director, said they were targeting 15,000 finishers to bolster their chances of meeting participant requirements.
Despite growth, Sydney would likely start off as the smallest major, if approved. Here’s how September’s race size compared to other majors over the past year.
Berlin 2024: 54,280 finishers
London 2024: 53,790 finishers
NYC 2023: 51,402 finishers
Chicago 2023: 48,398 finishers
Tokyo 2024: 35,710 finishers
Boston 2024: 25,554 finishers
Sydney 2024: 20,272 finishers
There’s plenty of sightseeing opportunities
Larden is aware that Sydney isn’t the most convenient option for all marathon globetrotters. But he believes the city provides a world-class experience.
“While we know that Australia and Sydney is a long way for people to travel from the Northern Hemisphere, it helps our profile that Sydney hosted the Olympics in 2000, plus the fact that we’re a must-visit or ‘bucket list’ destination for many people overseas,” he said.
September’s event saw over 2,000 entrants from the U.S.—a new record for the race—and 102 countries were represented. It helps that there are direct flights from Sydney to six North American cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Honolulu, Houston, and Dallas/Ft. Worth.
“We think the uniquely Australian culture, character and natural attractions will hold a lot of appeal for runners,” Larden said. “Plus Australians are renowned for their hospitality and for being open and friendly and we like to have fun. We want that to be reflected through the event.”
Like other big-city marathons, Sydney showcases some of its landmarks throughout the course. There’s the expansive Sydney Harbour Bridge—which runners crest during the opening miles—a lap around sprawling Centennial Park, and the finish is at arguably the most famous structure in the country: the Sydney Opera House.
Thomas Eller, the first deaf-born member of the Six-Star club, ran Sydney this year and enjoyed the atmosphere.
“I had goosebumps running over the Harbour Bridge, and it was such an amazing view to the Opera House with the sunrise,” he said. “The Sydney community really came out and supported the race, including Drag Queens in the renowned area of Oxford Street—they were dancing and the vibe was truly filled with happiness and pride.”
“The crowds were brilliant, they motivated us, and there were many interesting signs to see,” he continued. “Some of them gave me a deaf applause, and I was so touched to see.”
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Update 10/9: The article has been updated to reflect the news that the Shanghai Marathon will replace the Chengdu Marathon as a candidate race.
which we’ve ranked the hardest out of the six Runner’s World. He’s a former all-conference collegiate runner at Winthrop University, and he received his master’s degree in liberal arts studies from Wake Forest University, where he was a member of one of the top distance-running teams in the NCAA. Kahler has reported on the ground at major events such as the Paris Olympics, U.S. Olympic Trials, New York City Marathon, and Boston Marathon. He’s run 14:20 in the 5K, 1:05:36 in the half marathon, and enjoys spotting tracks from the sky on airplanes. (Look for colorful ovals around football fields.)
