Sydney Marathon
Milsons Point, Australia · Sunday 30 August 2026
Sydney Marathon is Australia's largest running event and an Abbott World Marathon Major, held annually in Sydney. The race features a spectacular course that showcases iconic sights like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Runners start across the harbour on Miller Street, North Sydney, and finish in front of the Opera House. The course is considered fast and runner-friendly, with a time limit of seven hours.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:04:01
Time difference: +4.0 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain240m
Elevation High56m
Elevation Low4m
Weather Forecast
High19°C
Low10°C
Chance of Rain0%
How hard is Sydney Marathon?
Moderateharder than 57% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, Sydney Marathon plays about 7 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #499 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #19 of 27 in Australia. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at Sydney Marathon?
Estimated finish times on this course versus the same effort on an average road marathon, based on its elevation, surface, and expected race-day temperature.
| Average-course time | On Sydney Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:00:10 | +00:10 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:32:00 | +02:00 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:04:01 | +04:01 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:36:14 | +06:14 |
| 5:00:00 | 5:08:38 | +08:38 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:41:10 | +11:10 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:13:52 | +13:52 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
Sydney Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
Sydney Marathon is a full marathon held in Milsons Point, Australia. It is scheduled for Sunday 30 August 2026. The course is run on road surface with 240m of total climbing, with its high point near 56m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Sydney Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
With 240m of total climbing, this is a gently undulating course. The elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't greatly affect your pacing.
Expected Race Day Weather
Based on historical weather data for August, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 10°C to 19°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.
Surface Type: Road
Sydney Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for racing. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for a personal best.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Sydney Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If Sydney Marathon fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.
Other Marathons in Australia
Buffalo Stampede Festival
Bright, Australia
Trail1542m gainJuly 2026
Run the River Marathon
Brisbane, Australia
Road103m gainJuly 2026
Sunshine Coast Marathon
Sunshine Coast, Australia
Road252m gainAug 2026
Townsville Running Festival Marathon
North Ward, Australia
Road363m gainAug 2026
Barossa Marathon Festival
Tanunda, Australia
Road314m gainAug 2026