SHERIDAN, WYOMING – November 7, 2024 – The world of marathon running has expanded with the addition of the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by Asics to the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM). Starting in 2025, Sydney will join the prestigious ranks of Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York in hosting one of the world's most renowned marathons.
This exciting development not only adds a new race to the AWMM series but also brings the Southern Hemisphere into the fold, offering runners a unique opportunity to compete in a world-class marathon in a stunning location. The inaugural Sydney Marathon as part of the AWMM is scheduled for August 31, 2025, and anticipation is already building.
"We cannot wait to see our community embrace this race and start planning their visits to run the streets of one of the finest cities in the world,” said AWMM CEO Dawna Stone. "Runners, your Sydney star awaits.”
Stone's comment highlights the significance of this addition for marathon enthusiasts aiming to achieve the coveted Six Star Medal, awarded to those who complete all six existing AWMM races. While the tradition of the Six Star Medal will continue, the inclusion of Sydney opens up a new challenge: the Nine Star Medal.
With Sydney becoming the seventh star, runners now have an additional milestone to strive for. Two other marathons, in Cape Town, South Africa, and Shanghai, China, are also under consideration to join the AWMM, potentially as early as 2026 and 2027. If these races pass the formal two-year assessment, as Sydney did, dedicated runners could be on their way to achieving a Nine Star Medal.
"Next year’s Sydney Marathon will count as a star for runners who complete it, so the path to Nine is ready and waiting," the AWMM announced. To commemorate this journey, a new collectible range of coins celebrating each race, along with frames for display, are available to runners, marking every star they achieve.
Chris Miller, Divisional Vice President of Brand Strategy and Innovation at Abbott, emphasized the positive impact of this expansion, stating that runners will have "more milestones to celebrate down the road." He added that this initiative is all about supporting runners in "running their best races and living their healthiest lives."
The addition of the Sydney Marathon to the AWMM is a landmark moment in the sport. It provides runners with new goals to pursue, expands the global reach of the AWMM, and further solidifies the marathon's status as a premier test of endurance and athletic achievement.
About Abbott World Marathon Majors
The Abbott World Marathon Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world. The races take place in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. Runners who complete all six marathons earn the coveted Six Star Medal. With the addition of the Sydney Marathon, runners can now strive for a Nine Star Medal by completing all nine races.