r/SydneyMarathon

To be honest, running the Sydney Marathon has been my ritual for so many years. I've run the Sydney Marathon every single year since I started running, except for this year. I was very happy that it made it into the World Marathon Majors, and I did run it once because I had a legacy spot for it.

But this year, I couldn't get in, even though I've been running consecutively for so many years. It's the first time that I've broken my ritual. I'm flying to Berlin for the second time for the Berlin Marathon, but honestly, it still hurts my feelings that I couldn't get in.

I see that in the Berlin Marathon, they have spots reserved for local residents who have been running consecutively for many years. I think if you run consecutively for five years or something, then you get a guaranteed spot because it's a local event, to some extent. Correct me if I'm wrong, of course, but I just thought about it and it still hurts my feelings.

looking to get a bib to run the sydney marathon as I missed out on the ballot

you would still need to pick up the bib from the expo (as they dont prepost bibs and they need photo id) and send it to me (based in sydney)

happy to pay a deposit as a guarantee

DM me if interested

I get that Sydney becoming a Major means huge demand...

But the no-deferral policy (outside a couple of exceptions) feels pretty short-sighted, especially compared to other majors.

When injuries or life stuff happen, the current setup basically means you lose your spot entirely (and no one else benefits from the DNS - the spot could go to someone else?)

Other majors manage this (usually just to the next year, with conditions).

Curious what others think - and whether anyone sees this changing in the future?

I’m a Brit moving to Sydney in October and would love to book some races in next year. In London, most of the half marathons sell out the day tickets are released or they have a ballot system. For the full marathon here getting in is nearly impossible.

Just wondering what the situation is like for the half (in May 2027), for city2surf and for the full?

Been injured for a long time and need something to look forward to!

Anyone else from Toronto going to the race.

This is my FIRST solo trip..

I know I'm last minute, just trying to finalize everything before committing to airfare tickets.

Would be cool to hangout with other runners.

Also how long are people staying for the marathon? Any local tips/must-sees/must do/eats?

Thanks!