Running in Sydney, Australia

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Running Races in Sydney: Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Calendar

Generate Art Routes in Sydney

2 established annual road races in Sydney. Exact dates move each year, so the month each event is normally held is listed rather than a date that goes stale.

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Annual races in Sydney

RaceDistancesUsual monthCourseTypical conditionsFull details
Sydney MarathonMarathon, Half marathon, 10K, 5KAugust or SeptemberMixed19.3°C / 9.6°C · rain ~23% of daysSydney Marathon guide
City2Surf14KAugustMixed18.1°C / 8.6°C · rain ~20% of daysCity2Surf guide

Training for one of these? The 10K and long run routes in Sydney use the same roads several of these courses do.

Frequently asked

What is the biggest running race in Sydney?
Sydney Marathon (Marathon, Half marathon, 10K, 5K), normally held in August or September. Crosses the Harbour Bridge and finishes at the Opera House.
Is there a marathon in Sydney?
Yes — Sydney Marathon (August or September). Crosses the Harbour Bridge and finishes at the Opera House.
Are there half marathons in Sydney?
Yes — Sydney Marathon (August or September).
Are there 10K races in Sydney?
Yes — Sydney Marathon (August or September).
Are there 5K or shorter races in Sydney?
Yes — 5K at Sydney Marathon (August or September). Shorter distances are the easiest way into a city's race scene: entry usually stays open later and the fields are less competitive.
When is the running season in Sydney?
The events listed here fall in August or September and August. Plan a training block backwards from whichever of those suits you.
What is the weather like for the Sydney Marathon?
In August or September, Sydney averages a daily high of 19.3°C and a low of 9.6°C, with rain on about 23% of days. That sits in the range most runners race best in. Figures are a ten-year average of recorded conditions for that month, not a forecast.
How do I enter a race in Sydney?
Entry opens on each organiser's own site, and fees, closing dates and start times change every year. Each race above links to its own page here, which covers the course, the conditions and how to train for it, and points you at the organiser for the current year's entry details rather than repeating a number that may already be out of date.
Why are exact race dates not shown?
Race dates move every year and a stale date is worse than none. The month each event is normally held is listed instead, which is what you need to plan a training block. The organiser's site carries the confirmed date once it is announced.
What distances can I race in Sydney?
Across the 2 events listed: Marathon, Half marathon, 10K, 5K, 14K. Pick the distance first and the date second — the build-up a distance needs is what decides which month is realistic.
How long should I train for the Sydney Marathon?
Allow 16 to 20 weeks from a base you already hold, not from scratch. That is the marathon standard, and it assumes you can already run comfortably three times a week before the block starts. The race page for each event breaks the build-up down further.
How far in advance should I enter?
The larger city marathons fill within days of opening, or run a ballot months ahead; smaller 10K and 5K events often take entries until race week. Check the organiser's site as soon as you have picked a race — entry timing is the one thing you cannot make up for later in training.
Can I run these courses outside race day?
Mostly yes, and it is worth doing. City-centre courses use public roads and parks that are open year round, so you can run the closing kilometres as a training session and know exactly what they feel like. The mapped Sydney routes are a practical starting point for that.
Where can I train for these races in Sydney?
The 10K and long-run routes mapped for Sydney use many of the same roads and paths these courses do, so they work as course reconnaissance as well as training. Each race page also lists how long a build-up the distance needs.

Explore pages for Sydney