TCS Sydney Marathon
Sydney, Australia · Sunday 30 August 2026
The TCS Sydney Marathon takes place on August 30, 2026, and covers 42.2 kilometres on trail terrain across moderately hilly ground, so you'll want to train on similar surfaces if possible. The course climbs steadily throughout the race with elevation swings between 5 and 79 metres above sea level, making it neither flat nor mountainous but requiring consistent effort on the uphills. This is a World Marathon Major event presented by ASICS, which means solid organisation and a competitive field, though the website suggests starting your preparation in February to build the strength you'll need. Trail marathons demand different pacing and footwork than road races, so if you're new to off-road running, factor that into your training plan. Charity places and travel packages are available through the race website if you need either.
Difficulty Calculator
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:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:05:17
Time difference: +5.3 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain258m
Elevation High79m
Elevation Low5m
How hard is TCS Sydney Marathon?
Difficultharder than 60% of marathons
Flattest / easiestHardest
On our difficulty model, TCS Sydney Marathon plays about 8 minutes slower than an average road marathon for a 3:30 runner. It ranks #460 hardest of 1150 marathons we analyse, and #15 of 27 in Australia. Use the calculator above to see the exact adjusted time for your own goal pace.
What will you run at TCS 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 TCS Sydney Marathon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00:00 | 3:00:51 | +00:51 |
| 3:30:00 | 3:32:57 | +02:57 |
| 4:00:00 | 4:05:17 | +05:17 |
| 4:30:00 | 4:37:50 | +07:50 |
| 5:00:00 | 5:10:35 | +10:35 |
| 5:30:00 | 5:43:32 | +13:32 |
| 6:00:00 | 6:16:39 | +16:39 |
Use the calculator above for your exact goal time. Want a prediction from your own training? Try the marathon time predictor.
TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 Course Analysis
TCS Sydney Marathon is a full marathon held in Sydney, Australia. It is scheduled for Sunday 30 August 2026. The course is run on road surface with 258m of total climbing, with its high point near 79m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official TCS Sydney Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
With 258m of total climbing, this is a gently undulating course. The elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't greatly affect your pacing.
Surface Type: Road
TCS 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 TCS Sydney Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Marathons of similar difficulty
If TCS Sydney Marathon fits your goal, these courses play out about the same on our difficulty model.
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