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Sydney was elevated to the ranks of the World Marathon Majors on Monday, joining London, New York and Boston at the top of the world’s distance races.
Its confirmation as the seventh member of the series, which also includes Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago, is the culmination of a three-year program to improve the event.
World Marathon Majors manager Dawna Stone said the improvement in Sydney’s race operations and experience had been “deeply impressive”.
“We can’t wait to see our community embrace this run as a Major and begin planning their visits to roam the streets of one of the most beautiful cities in the world,” she added in a statement.
“Runners, your Sydney star awaits.”
Athletics Australia president Jane Flemming called it a “transformational moment” for the increasingly popular sport in Australia.
“This is an achievement that will inspire countless Australians to take up running,” she said.
“We are incredibly proud of how far this race has come and are beyond excited about what this means for the future of the sport in Australia.”
The Sydney Marathon is a legacy of the 2000 Olympic Games held in the city.
It was first held as a test event five months before the Games, with only 1,200 participants.
Since then, the race has grown considerably, attracting 25,000 participants in 2024.
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