Big news has arrived for marathon enthusiasts worldwide: the TCS Sydney Marathon will officially join the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025 as the seventh marathon in the series.
For runners across Asia, particularly in Singapore, this announcement brings exciting new possibilities. With Sydney joining the ranks of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York, the Abbott World Marathon Majors will now offer a Seven Star program, creating fresh challenges and goals for the most ambitious marathoners.
Let’s dive into what this means for runners in Singapore and across Asia, the prospects it opens up, and the unique challenges the TCS Sydney Marathon might bring.
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The Significance of the TCS Sydney Marathon’s New Status
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) are seen as the pinnacle of marathon running, with runners from around the globe striving to complete the Six Star series. With Sydney officially added to the lineup, runners will now have the opportunity to earn a Seven Star medal—a highly sought-after achievement among marathoners.
For Asian runners, the TCS Sydney Marathon’s elevation brings new excitement and a fresh target to pursue closer to home.
The addition of Sydney is particularly historic as it marks the first time since Tokyo’s inclusion in 2013 that a new city has been added to the World Marathon Majors. Sydney beat out other candidates, including the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and the Chengdu Marathon, by successfully passing the AWMM’s rigorous two-year evaluation process.
With scenic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the iconic Sydney Opera House, the course combines beauty with athletic challenge, featuring a 1,040-foot elevation gain and a loss of 1,312 feet.
New Opportunities and Challenges for Singaporean and Asian Runners
For Singaporean and Asian marathoners, the addition of the TCS Sydney Marathon brings both excitement and logistical challenges. Here are some of the main considerations for runners in the region:
1. Geographic Proximity and Accessibility
Sydney’s addition provides a much closer destination than the other Majors in the U.S. and Europe, making it an appealing option for Asian runners. The travel time from Singapore to Sydney is far more manageable than transcontinental flights, which could make participation more accessible and affordable.
2. Climate and Course Adaptation
Singapore runners are accustomed to a humid, tropical climate, and while Sydney is warmer than most marathon locations, its conditions can still vary greatly. Runners may need to adjust to Sydney’s weather in late August, which is cooler and drier but can have sudden temperature changes. The course’s elevation changes present a unique challenge for those used to Singapore’s flat terrain. Asian runners may need to incorporate more hill training to prepare for the course’s varied topography.
3. Expanded Goals for Six Star Finishers
For those who have already achieved the Six Star medal, Sydney’s inclusion offers a renewed sense of purpose and a chance to go beyond their original goal.
Singaporean runners who’ve completed the Six Majors may now find themselves drawn back to the global stage with this new Seven Star program, allowing them to set new personal milestones.
4. Building the Asian Running Community
Sydney’s entry into the Abbott World Marathon Majors is likely to strengthen the marathon community across Asia, encouraging collaboration and camaraderie among Asian runners. Local running clubs and communities may begin to organise group trips to Sydney, creating opportunities for marathoners to support and inspire each other in reaching the new Seven Star goal.
The Seven Star Medal: A New Ambition for Dedicated Marathoners
Completing the Six Star Marathons is a monumental achievement, with over 17,000 runners worldwide having earned the Six Star Medal. Now, the Seven Star Medal introduces a new level of prestige and challenge, motivating seasoned runners to continue their journey. For those who’ve already completed the Six Star series, Sydney offers a fresh target and the excitement of an evolving Abbott World Marathon Majors program.
The AWMM has also hinted at the possibility of a Nine Star medal in the future, potentially incorporating Cape Town and Shanghai (pending their assessments in the coming years). With this expansion, the Abbott World Marathon Majors is moving towards becoming even more global, offering greater diversity in courses and experiences for marathon enthusiasts.
Practical Considerations and Goals for Singaporean Runners
1. Training Adjustments
The TCS Sydney Marathon’s course, with its notable elevation changes, calls for a training regimen focused on hill running and strength conditioning. Singapore’s relatively flat terrain means that runners may need to travel to hillier locations or make use of gym equipment, like incline treadmills, to simulate Sydney’s course.
2. Logistical Planning
Traveling to Sydney is relatively straightforward for Singaporeans, but marathoners will need to consider timing, as the race occurs on 31 August 2025. Coordinating travel and acclimatising to Sydney’s weather ahead of race day will be important steps for optimal performance.
3. New Goals and Community Support
For those aiming for the Seven Star medal, joining local running clubs or online groups focused on the Abbott World Marathon Majors can be beneficial. Sharing insights, strategies, and tips with other Seven Star hopefuls could provide the support and motivation needed to tackle this new challenge.
What This Means for the Future of Marathoning in Asia
The inclusion of the TCS Sydney Marathon is a significant milestone, not only for Australia but also for the marathon community across Asia. As the Abbott World Marathon Majors continues to expand, Asian runners are presented with growing opportunities to participate in world-class events. Sydney’s addition may also inspire more Asian cities to bid for the prestigious Major status, ultimately broadening the global appeal of marathon running.
By offering an attainable yet challenging marathon closer to home, the AWMM’s decision reinforces Asia’s growing influence in the sport. With Sydney as a new Major, Asian runners can now set their sights on a new achievement, paving the way for even greater representation in the world’s most celebrated marathons.
A New Era for Marathon Runners in Asia
The announcement of the TCS Sydney Marathon joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors as the seventh star is monumental for runners worldwide, but especially for those in Singapore and across Asia.
For seasoned Six Star finishers, the Seven Star goal offers a fresh challenge, while for aspiring marathoners, it presents a new, accessible target. Sydney’s addition to the Major lineup marks a new chapter in the marathoning world, signaling a more inclusive future with exciting possibilities for Asian runners.
And who knows? With the growing popularity of marathon running in Asia, we hope the Singapore Marathon could one day become the eighth star in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, giving even more recognition to the incredible talent and dedication of runners in this region!
Whether you’re aiming for your first star or your seventh, the TCS Sydney Marathon brings a new horizon to your running journey.
