The TCS Sydney Marathon: The New Star in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series!

Today’s newsletter is written by Letty from Marathon Media. Letty hosts both, the Marathon Running Podcast and LettyRuns YouTube Channel.

It feels like a lifetime ago, but it was just Sunday, August 31, when the TCS Sydney Marathon officially joined the ranks of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. This wasn't just a win for Sydney, but a massive win for all of us marathon fanatics who are always looking for the next big challenge.

For me, this wasn't just another trip; this was a pilgrimage to a new-era Major, and I am still absolutely buzzing from the experience, which I want to share with you via my podcast, where I do a full race recap, or you can watch my video on the entire trip to Sydney on my YouTube channel. Trust me, you'll want to see this.

A New Chapter for a Global Institution

The Abbott World Marathon Majors has always been the gold standard, the holy grail for marathon runners. For years, the Six Star Medal has been the ultimate goal, a symbol of completing the iconic races in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. But let’s talk about some logistics here.

What happened to the Six Star Medal?

The question has always been, "What happens now?" And I'm thrilled to tell you that the integrity of the original Six Star program remains unchanged. It's a key milestone, and it's not going anywhere. But now, with the addition of Sydney, we have a whole new layer of amazing! Completing the TCS Sydney Marathon now earns you a star, and the Abbott World Marathon Majors has already released a commemorative coin and a seven-coin display to celebrate this expansion.

Sydney: A Runner's Dream Come True

I've run a lot of races, but let me tell you, Sydney was something special. The city was an absolute dream. I mean, from food scene alone to lodging to public transport to cleanliness, it was enough to make the trip worth it, and don't even get me started on the friendliness of the people down under. It was a perfect blend of a major metropolitan feel without the overwhelming chaos you sometimes find at other large events. Everything was seamless. It felt like Sydney was built to host an event like this.

And the course? Pure magic. I was genuinely worried about the crowding. We've all been there—stuck in a bottleneck, doing the "marathon shuffle" for the first few miles. But with an incredible 35,000 marathon participants, the course was surprisingly wide and well-managed. There was plenty of room to find my pace and actually run without feeling like I was in a human traffic jam. We ran over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, through beautiful neighborhoods, and past some of the most stunning landmarks you can imagine, all culminating in a breathtaking finish right at the foot of the Sydney Opera House. The energy was electric, with spectators everywhere, cheering us on and reminding us all why we love this crazy sport.

What's more, even with the huge crowds, the final stretch was brilliantly managed. As we got closer to the finish line, we had to cross a street, but it wasn't the usual mad dash. The volunteers had it completely under control, guiding us through a perfectly organized "lock system." They’d stop traffic on one side, letting a large group of runners cross, then stop us to let the cars go, then repeat on the other side. It was a rhythmic, almost graceful procession that kept things moving smoothly and safely. A tiny detail, but one that really showcased the top-notch organization.

The Future is Bright, and it's Worth Chasing

This is just the beginning of a new chapter for the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Sydney is the first of three "Candidate races," with Cape Town and Shanghai potentially joining in the coming years. Imagine this: the Nine-Star Medal! It's an insane new goal to chase, and it gives us all a reason to keep training and to keep exploring the world. The running community is thriving, and the expansion of the Majors reflects this incredible growth. There’s never been a better time to be a runner.

So, if you're looking for your next challenge, I can't recommend the TCS Sydney Marathon enough. It's a spectacular race in a truly amazing city, and now, it's officially a part of the history books. I'm already dreaming about my next star, and I hope you are too.