Sydney Marathon 2026: More than 40,000 runners are preparing to take over the streets of Sydney on Sunday, August 30, as the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS returns for its second edition as an Abbott World Marathon Major.
The 42.195km race starts in North Sydney before crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Sydney Opera House. For runners, spectators and residents, the key race-day information is the start time, route, live tracking, TV coverage and major transport disruptions.
Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Distance: 42.195km
Wheelchair start: 6:15am AEST
Mass participation: From 6:30am AEST
Start: Miller Street, North Sydney
Finish: Sydney Opera House
Cut-off: Seven hours
Expected runners: 40,000+
TV: SBS from 6am AEST
Streaming: SBS On Demand
What time does the Sydney Marathon start?
The elite wheelchair field is scheduled to start at 6:15am AEST, followed by mass participation from 6:30am.
Not every runner will cross the line at 6:30am. The field is divided into different assembly and start groups, so participants should follow the information assigned to their bib and arrive well before their scheduled start.
Where does the Sydney Marathon start?
The marathon starts on Miller Street in North Sydney, around the St Leonards Park and North Sydney Oval precinct.
North Sydney station, Victoria Cross Metro and Crows Nest Metro are among the main access points for runners, depending on their assigned assembly area. With tens of thousands of participants travelling before sunrise, public transport is strongly recommended.
Sydney Marathon 2026 route
The course begins north of Sydney Harbour before taking runners across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of the race’s signature sections.
It then continues through areas including Barangaroo, The Rocks, Darlinghurst, Moore Park and Centennial Park before returning towards the harbour for the Sydney Opera House finish.
The official course profile lists approximately 313 metres of elevation gain and an 83-metre net drop. Runners can check the latest route, course map and event information on the official TCS Sydney Marathon website.
How to track Sydney Marathon runners live
Family and friends can follow selected participants through the official TCS Sydney Marathon app, which provides race-day tracking and event information.
The event’s Smart Map also helps spectators find viewing locations, entertainment areas, public transport, food and drink points and road closure information.
Anyone hoping to see the same runner more than once should plan viewing locations before the start, as the course and road closures can make movement across central Sydney difficult.
How to watch Sydney Marathon 2026 live
Australian viewers can watch the marathon live and free on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Coverage begins at 6am AEST, shortly before the elite wheelchair start. Television coverage is scheduled through the morning, with extended streaming available through SBS On Demand.
Sydney Marathon road closures
Major traffic restrictions will affect North Sydney, the CBD, The Rocks, Barangaroo, Darlinghurst, Moore Park, Centennial Park, Kensington, Kingsford and surrounding areas.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cahill Expressway and Western Distributor are among the major routes affected on Sunday morning. Other restrictions around the CBD, eastern suburbs and Opera House precinct will remain in place as the race progresses.
Drivers should allow additional travel time and check current conditions before leaving, as streets will reopen progressively after runners clear different sections of the course.
Public transport and light rail changes
Public transport is the recommended option for runners and spectators, with additional early-morning services operating to help participants reach North Sydney.
Extra L1, L2 and L3 light rail services begin from 3:45am, although parts of the network will also be disrupted by the marathon.
Registered marathon participants and volunteers can use eligible public transport during the event period with appropriate race or volunteer identification. The separate Sydney Airport station access fee is not included.
Bib collection has now closed
Race bib collection at the TCS Sydney Marathon Running Show at Sydney Showground closed at 4pm on Saturday, August 29.
There is no scheduled race-morning bib collection, so participants needed to collect their bib before Saturday’s deadline.
Why Sydney Marathon 2026 matters
Sydney is staging the event for the second time since joining the Abbott World Marathon Majors, putting the Australian race on the same international circuit as Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.
For runners already looking towards another major event, the Tokyo Marathon 2027 lottery and entry dates outline the next key application window for athletes hoping to race in Japan.
Sydney’s race weekend has also attracted attention for an unusual reason after an error was discovered on the finisher medal. The Sydney Marathon 2026 medal mistake explains what appeared on the medal and how the issue emerged before race day.
What runners need to know before the start
Participants should now focus on four things before heading to North Sydney: confirm the correct start group, check the recommended station, allow extra time for public transport and set up live tracking before the race.
Spectators should also choose viewing locations in advance and check transport conditions before travelling, with extensive road closures and service changes expected across Sydney throughout Sunday morning.
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