Run by effort, not pace
With about 313 meters of climbing, even pacing would mean racing the hills. Run steady effort instead, and expect slow kilometers on Oxford Street, back up Anzac Parade and in the Botanic Garden.
Sydney, Australia · Sunday, August 29, 2027
Sydney Marathon race guide
Sydney is the newest Major and one of the hilliest, with about 313 meters of climbing by the race’s own figure. It also finishes lower than it starts. You run down from North Sydney and over the Harbour Bridge, then spend the middle of the race climbing through the city and out along Anzac Parade, rolling through Centennial and Moore Parks, and finishing with a short climb in the Royal Botanic Garden before the run down to the Opera House.
Pace plan
Plan your race on this course
Set your goal and start time. Your checkpoints, the time of day you’ll reach each one, and the course guide below all update to match.
Build your plan01
Pacing
A little slower on the climbs, a little faster on the downhills and flats, for the same finish time. Based on where this course climbs. Treat it as an effort guide.
The mass start is at 6:30 a.m., with start groups after that. Enter your group’s start time to see the time of day at each checkpoint.
Splits
Your Sydney Marathon02
Average pace
4:59/km
- First half
- 1:44:58
- Second half
- 1:45:02
- Finish line
Hover or tap a bar to see that km.
| Checkpoint | Elapsed |
|---|---|
| Harbour Bridge2.4 km · Controlled. Don’t race the descent | 11:40 |
| Sussex Street10 km · Settled into goal effort | 49:21 |
| Oxford Street16 km · Top of the first big climb | 1:19:47 |
| Halfway, Anzac Parade21.1 km · On even effort, not even pace | 1:44:58 |
| Centennial Park30 km · Rolling. Fuel here | 2:29:22 |
| Mrs Macquarie’s Chair40 km · Top of the last climb. Downhill home | 3:19:09 |
| Finish42.2 km · Sydney Opera House | 3:30:00 |
Save it to your phone, or send the link to the people cheering for you.
- Date
- Sunday, August 29, 2027
- Start time
- 6:30 a.m. AEST mass start (elite wheelchairs 6:15); start group times come closer to race day
- Start
- Miller Street, North Sydney
- Finish
- Sydney Opera House
- Time limit
- 7 hours
- Elevation gain
- About 315 m
- Official site
- tcssydneymarathon.com
- Profile
- A downhill start over the Harbour Bridge, rolling hills through the middle, and a late climb
- Best for
- Iconic scenery and a hilly challenge. Don’t plan on a flat-course PR
- Biggest mistake
- Treating the early descent as free time, then fading on Oxford Street and Anzac Parade
- Majors
- The seventh World Marathon Major, added in 2025
The course
The course, at your pace
- km0–4.2
North Sydney & the Harbour Bridge Downhill
You start on Miller Street in North Sydney, about 80 meters up, and run downhill onto the Harbour Bridge, which rises gently to about 60 meters over the water. Then you drop off the bridge almost to sea level by 4 km. Keep it controlled. That’s a lot of descent on fresh legs.
4:54 /km4.2 km at 20:35
- km4.2–12
Pyrmont & the harbour Rolling
Low and mostly flat around Pyrmont and Darling Harbour and back through the city near Sussex Street, with a few short rises. Settle into goal effort and start fueling.
4:59 /km12 km at 59:26
- km12–16.2
Macquarie & Oxford Streets Climb
Up Macquarie Street and along Oxford Street, the course climbs about 50 meters to around 55 meters by 16 km. It’s the first real test. Run it by effort and let the pace slow.
5:06 /km16.2 km at 1:20:50
- km16.2–25
Anzac Parade Rolling
South along Anzac Parade, gently downhill and then flat to the turnaround near Kingsford around 23 km, and halfway along the way. It’s long and straight. Find a group and settle in.
4:57 /km25 km at 2:04:19
- km25–28.5
Back up Anzac Parade Climb
Heading north again, the road climbs about 20 meters toward Driver Avenue. It’s gradual but it comes when the race starts to hurt. Keep your effort steady.
5:01 /km28.5 km at 2:21:56
- km28.5–36
Centennial & Moore Parks Rolling
A loop of Centennial Park and on through Moore Park, rolling between about 35 and 55 meters. These are some of the quietest kilometers. Fuel, focus on rhythm, and run the hills by effort.
4:59 /km36 km at 2:59:21
- km36–38.5
Down into the city Downhill
The course drops about 40 meters back toward the city. Use it, but keep your stride short. There’s one more climb coming.
4:54 /km38.5 km at 3:11:35
- km38.5–42.2
Royal Botanic Garden & the Opera House Climb
A short, stiff climb through the Royal Botanic Garden toward Mrs Macquarie’s Chair around 40 km, then downhill to the finish at the Sydney Opera House. Get over the top, and the harbour views carry you home.
4:59 /kmFinish at 3:30:00
Every km split for 3:30:00
| Km | Terrain | Pace /km | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downhill | 4:50 | 4:50 |
| 2 | Downhill | 4:53 | 9:42 |
| 3 | Downhill | 4:57 | 14:39 |
| 4 | Downhill | 4:57 | 19:36 |
| 5 | Downhill | 4:56 | 24:32 |
| 6 | Rolling | 4:56 | 29:28 |
| 7 | Rolling | 4:58 | 34:26 |
| 8 | Rolling | 5:00 | 39:27 |
| 9 | Downhill | 4:58 | 44:25 |
| 10 | Downhill | 4:58 | 49:23 |
| 11 | Flat | 4:58 | 54:21 |
| 12 | Climb | 5:03 | 59:24 |
| 13 | Climb | 5:05 | 1:04:29 |
| 14 | Climb | 5:02 | 1:09:32 |
| 15 | Climb | 5:06 | 1:14:38 |
| 16 | Climb | 5:10 | 1:19:48 |
| 17 | Downhill | 4:54 | 1:24:41 |
| 18 | Downhill | 4:54 | 1:29:35 |
| 19 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:34:34 |
| 20 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:39:32 |
| 21 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:44:29 |
| 22 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:49:27 |
| 23 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:54:26 |
| 24 | Flat | 4:58 | 1:59:23 |
| 25 | Flat | 4:58 | 2:04:21 |
| 26 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:09:21 |
| 27 | Flat | 5:04 | 2:14:25 |
| 28 | Rolling | 5:01 | 2:19:26 |
| 29 | Rolling | 5:00 | 2:24:26 |
| 30 | Flat | 4:56 | 2:29:22 |
| 31 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:34:21 |
| 32 | Flat | 5:02 | 2:39:23 |
| 33 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:44:23 |
| 34 | Flat | 4:59 | 2:49:22 |
| 35 | Flat | 5:00 | 2:54:22 |
| 36 | Downhill | 4:59 | 2:59:20 |
| 37 | Downhill | 4:57 | 3:04:18 |
| 38 | Downhill | 4:52 | 3:09:10 |
| 39 | Downhill | 4:57 | 3:14:07 |
| 40 | Climb | 5:04 | 3:19:11 |
| 41 | Downhill | 4:59 | 3:24:10 |
| 42 | Downhill | 4:55 | 3:29:05 |
| Finish | Downhill | 4:45 | 3:30:00 |
Lap your watch at each marker; GPS distance drifts over 26.2 miles. Even-pace card for 3:30:00
Race strategy
How to pace the Sydney Marathon
Respect the early descent
The first 4 km drop about 80 meters, over the bridge and down to the harbour. It’s tempting to bank time, but it costs your quads for the hills that follow.
Save something for the Garden
The climb toward Mrs Macquarie’s Chair comes at about 39–40 km. Plan for it, and you’ll have the downhill finish to enjoy.
The last few weeks
Train for this course
- Put rolling hills in the middle and second half of your long runs, and practice running them by effort.
- Include some downhill running early in long runs so the descent off North Sydney doesn’t surprise your quads.
- Finish a few long runs with a short climb and a downhill, like the last 3 km to the Opera House.
Race-day weather
Late August is the end of Sydney’s winter. Race mornings are usually cool, around 8–12°C at the start, and the day can warm up quickly in the sun. Rain is possible. Check the forecast in race week.
Race morning
Getting to the start
- The start is on Miller Street in North Sydney. With a 6:30 a.m. start, plan your transport the night before; roads around the bridge close early.
- Start group times are released closer to race day. Check your group and when it closes.
- Dress for a cool, dark start. Bring a throwaway layer you can drop once you’re moving.
Questions runners ask.
Is the Sydney Marathon a World Major?
Yes. Sydney became the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major in 2025, alongside Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.
How hilly is the Sydney Marathon?
It’s one of the hillier Majors: the race lists about 313 meters of climbing, with a net drop of about 83 meters. The main climbs are Oxford Street, back up Anzac Parade, and the Royal Botanic Garden near the end.
What is the time limit?
Seven hours. Check the official site for any course cut-offs closer to race day.
Where should friends and family watch?
The Harbour Bridge approaches early on, Oxford Street, and the Royal Botanic Garden near the finish are great spots. Centennial Park is quieter. The finish at the Opera House is busy, so agree on a meeting point.
Last checked October 21, 2026. This is an independent guide from Miles. We’re not affiliated with the race organizer. Start times, cutoffs, and logistics can change, so confirm everything on the official race site before race day.
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