The Sydney Marathon is on a tear.
Organizers announced this week that over 123,000 people applied for a spot in the ballot for the 2026 race, a staggering 56 percent increase from last year and the largest number in the event’s history.
Runners from 162 countries threw their names into the hat for a chance to race across the Harbour Bridge and finish near the Opera House on August 30, 2026.
This explosion in interest is no accident.
The surge follows a landmark moment for the race. In 2025, Sydney was officially named the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, becoming the first new Major added in over a decade and the first ever in the Southern Hemisphere.
That announcement has propelled the race into global spotlight territory, and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be its biggest yet.
“We are officially humbled, hyped, and ready to welcome our successful runners to the start line,” organizers wrote on Instagram, celebrating the record-breaking interest. “A massive thank you to every single runner from 162 countries who committed to our Abbott World Major Marathon dream.”
For those who got in via the ballot, confirmation emails started going out on October 29. Successful applicants had their cards charged automatically, while those who didn’t make the cut were pointed toward alternate entry routes, including charity and travel packages that are still available for now.
It’s a familiar model for anyone who’s ever tried to get into a World Marathon Major: demand far outweighs supply, and not getting in on the first try doesn’t mean your shot is over.
Sydney’s Charity Program offers guaranteed entry in exchange for fundraising, with headline partners including Running for Premature Babies and the We Run Foundation. Dozens of other charities are also part of the program.
The travel option, meanwhile, is a growing favorite among international runners, especially those looking for a streamlined experience.
Packages include guaranteed entry, hotel accommodation, and other race-week perks through Sydney’s official travel partners, ideal for anyone looking to turn race weekend into a full-blown Australian getaway.
Now, with 2026 shaping up to be its biggest year yet, the Sydney Marathon appears to be making the most of its new Major status, and the running world is paying attention.
For runners still hoping to line up in 2026, time is of the essence. Charity and travel entries are now open and available on a rolling basis. If this week’s lottery numbers are any indication, they won’t be available for long.
This application is a joke, I registered based on qualified times provided and I had nearly 20 minutes below the time, it makes not sense .. I was not selected, not even Boston (which I qualified with only 10 minutes below the qualifying time); and hear so many people I know had the same outcome, the process is not transparent, the organisers want to keep places for the agencies or/and charity, don’t bite that the race is so popular, this is the second year as a major and they need to do a lot of improvements..