Sydney Marathon ballot entry date, is there a seven star medal and why Sydney Marathon remains a compelling proposition for runners in Southeast Asia as a World Marathon Major
Will there be a seven-star medal for six-star finishers at Sydney Marathon? When is the general ballot date for entry into the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS? These and other frequently asked questions (FAQ) here in our special feature studio show with representatives of the TCS Sydney Marathon.
Last week, SportPlus.sg hosted two key members of pont3, organisers of the TCS Sydney Marathon, at SportPlus Studios to find out what runners can expect in 2025, after Sydney Marathon joined the ranks of the world's most prestigious marathons as a World Marathon Major.
James Constantine, digital marketing manager at Pont3, organisers of the Sydney Marathon; and Monika Denkova, Marketing Executive at Pont3; were joined by Melvin Wong, Team Singapore and SEA Games athlete and Sydney Marathon ambassador to Singapore in 2023, as well as Arthur Tong, founder of Elevate Performance Coaching - coaching partner for #SGtoSydney and Cheryl Tay, content creator and key opinion leader, and a participant of the 2024 Sydney Marathon.
Why Should Runners from Southeast Asia Consider Running Sydney Marathon in 2025?
When asked why runners from Singapore and Southeast Asia should consider Sydney Marathon as a world marathon major ahead of the other six more established marathons in the world, James shared: "In terms of other six majors, it's very well documented on publications how hard it is to get in. London has 840,000 applications each year - we might get there one day, but it's not happening this year. The biggest thing is the ease of access for Singaporeans to come to Sydney."
He added, "Yes, there is a general ballot, but there won't be as many applications as the other majors, yet it is a Major. So it is the most accessible Major, so people have the best chance of running Sydney next year."
"The actual distance from Singapore to Sydney, I think apart from Tokyo, it's also the shortest distance by travel. I know no one likes flying 20 hours plus to America. We love getting there, but the flight itself is really far."
A Marathon not just for elite runners, but for everyone
Cheryl chimed in: "I walked this year's Sydney Marathon and still had a great time. To put it into context, I probably did something I wouldn't recommend to everyone to do because I tore my ankle ligament and had a chip fracture about a week before Sydney Marathon, but I was very determined to run the Sydney Marathon because I had a hunch it was going to become a Major and really wanted to get an automatic entry slot. So this is just to show non elite runners that even if you aren't a fit and fast runner, Sydney Marathon is a doable course."
"I walked the course for 6 hours and 46 minutes, and I feel like I know the course very well. Sydney and Australia is a great place to go to because there is a direct flight, the command of language is easy for us because it's English, the food is great, and the weather is a big plus as well especially when you live in a tropical region where we are. It's also easy to get around. And of course the people are all very friendly."
Ease of Access to Start and Finish Lines via Public Transport
How about getting to the start line on race day given that Sydney Marathon has an earlier start time than other World Majors?
"What was perfect timing this year for us was the opening of the metro, which happened just 3 weeks before the race - so a lot of runners caught the underground express train, which runs right underneath Sydney harbour and takes literally 3 minutes to get from the CBD to North Sydney where the start line is. And runners can expect the same in 2025," James shared.
"A lot of the talk was about the updated course and the finish line. But all these little things contribute to the overall runners' experience as well before and during race day. Especially to manage anxiety levels for runners who may be worried about how to get to the start line."
Will there be any changes to the Sydney Marathon course in 2025?
One of the more commonly asked questions for runners who have experienced the 2024 and 2023 Sydney Marathons is whether there will be a change of course now that Sydney has become a World Major, to which James responded: "The start line won't change, and the finish line won't change. So runners can expect the same ease of access to the start line."
Can Runners Expect a Better Sydney Marathon Expo?
For runners who have been to bigger expos at other World Majors, the Sydney Marathon expo this year may not have measured up to the same level, but Monica Denkova remains optimistic and indicated that the organising team is well aware of the sentiments and are working to improve the expo from 2025 onwards.
She says: "Runners can expect a lot more space - it will definitely be a major upgrade, from this year we were secured to hold 7, which is one part of the ICC. and next year that will completely double, we had an immense amount of space, an increase in store numbers from 2023 and that will increase for next year."
"I don't know the exact numbers as yet, but we want to showcase our partners, we have charity opportunities to increase next year as well, and the ICC was a big part of improving that runner experience for us this year."
James added: "Having been to marathons like the New York City Marathon expo, we have seen how big the expo and experience is like there even before the marathon, and we know that's the direction we need to move into, now that we are number seven. We are looking to deliver a better experience for runners in the coming years."
Placing Runners' Experiences at the heart of all things Sydney Marathon
In 2024, SportPlus.sg brought Elevate Performance Coaching into Singapore's Sydney Marathon #SGtoSydney program, as part of a larger effort that yielded 420 runners at the 2024 Sydney Marathon.
As part of that initiative, runners had access to a marathon coaching program led by Elevate Performance Coaching, and Arthur Tong shares his thoughts on his team's contributions to this year's Sydney Marathon experience for Singapore runners.
"As a coach we have the privilege of helping athletes prepare for a race. It's always about the preparation journey. I am a little bit biased towards Sydney because I spent 4 memorable years in Sydney, so I know the place and I knew the runners would have a great time," says Arthur.
"But in order to have a great time, they need to have properly prepared otherwise it would be painful doing an event as challenging as Sydney Marathon."
"So it was heartening to see them committing to the program, runners show up for the program, we curated track programs where runners did speed and strength training, we curated endurance run programs to help runners understand the lead up and progressive build up to the marathon - you don't want to overcook yourself."
"So I had the privilege of seeing many runners going through our program and then finally going to Sydney and having a great time," he said with a smile.
Will there be a Seven Star Medal with Sydney Marathon as a Major?
But how about those who have already completed all six majors? Is this new addition of Sydney Marathon to the World Majors going to change the six star medal iniative?
"The six star medal is run by the Abbott World Marathon Majors, they have come out to say we are looking to work towards a nine star medal," shares James.
"It's no secret now that Cape Town Marathon passed their first year of assessment towards being a World Major, while Shanghai Marathon is now the other candidate, and they are extraordinary. So WMM is working towards this long term goal but they are committing to only nine and a nine-star medal."
A Customisable "Make Your Own Medal" Experience
"Now there is a way in which where you can create your own medal though, and that's very exciting. The Majors have released the six star display, and that can now be a seven star display, and it is a create your own medal initiative," said James.
"John you have run Berlin and New York City. If you run Sydney in 2025, you can now create your own three star medal. This is very relevant for runners who have no plans to complete all seven of the Majors, or do not have the funds to do so. They can actually still create their own medal now which is very exciting."
Recognising Runners' Journeys at the Majors
"Sydney and the other Majors have essentially coins which you can add into your display to create a seven star medal. Minimum is two, maximum is nine. So that is a way that runners can now be recognised on their journey towards completing the World Marathon Majors, I really like that because I don't think I will be finishing the seven or nine."
"At least now there is a way I can tell people these are the Majors I have run, and have my own star medal."
"The six star medal itself won't change, but what they are doing is creating this accessible initiative that recognises Sydney and possibly Cape Town as part of the Majors - it's just a different way of celebrating runners' journeys in the Majors."
Sydney Marathon Candidacy Club and General Ballot Dates
How can runners join the Sydney Marathon in 2025 now that it is a World Marathon Major?
Monika shares: "We've just announced the date the marathon will be next year, the 31 August, and now we are onto the hot topic of how to get in. We're appreciative of our candidacy club members - everyone who has run Sydney Marathon in 2022, 2023, and 2024, we are extremely grateful for what they have helped made TCS Sydney Marathon into today."
"With that being said, they have a guaranteed entry into Sydney Marathon either in 2025, 2026 or 2027."
She adds: "10,000 spots for those special members of ours who have indicated they wish to run 2025 have all gotten their slots. The next best thing is the general ballot."
"Everyone whether international or domestic who haven't run in the last years, this is their best chance to get in first into Sydney next year. We have released a date that is the 10 December - Sydney time it is 10am, and Singapore it would be 7am given the time difference."
"It will be open for 3 weeks, heaps of time for you to enter the ballot until 30 December where the ballot closes."
Understanding the Ballot Process at the World Marathon Majors
If you are entering via the general ballot, there is usually a period during which you can submit your entry.
The ballot will randomly select participants. Entry costs and additional information about requirements (e.g., age, experience) are listed.
The FAQ section will cover details about registration deadlines, race day logistics, and eligibility criteria, among other aspects.
Make sure to check the official Sydney Marathon website for the most accurate and current information when it becomes available! #SydneyMarathon #MadeSydneyAMajor