The Sydney Marathon isn’t just another race; it’s a full-city takeover. From elite runners chasing records to locals navigating road closures, a lot is going on before the first step is even taken. Whether you’re running, watching, or just trying to get to brunch, knowing the details matters. From track details to weather forecasts, street closures, and how to watch live—here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 edition of Australia’s biggest marathon.

When Is the Sydney Marathon 2025?

Mark the date, Sunday, August 31, 2025, because it’s Sydney’s biggest running day yet. Thousands will gather at sunrise, nerves kicking in on Macquarie Street near Circular Quay. The elite races start at 6:30 am, but the 5K event begins at 7:30 am sharp. Miss the 8:10 am cutoff, and you’re out—no exceptions.

The course is pure postcard. Runners race over the Harbour Bridge, wind through city streets, and finish at the legendary Sydney Opera House. Cutoff time? 1 hour, 10 minutes. So lace up and don’t dawdle.

But now, before we start with the 2025 race, let’s look back at last year’s race.

Who Won the Sydney Marathon 2024?

Brimin Kipkorir Misoi didn’t just win Sydney 2024; he lit it up. The Kenyan star clocked 2:06:17, crushing the course and setting a new standard. He broke away late and never looked back. Ethiopia’s Chalu Deso Gelmisa chased hard, finishing in second at 2:08:01, but the gap stuck. Third went to Felix Kiptoo Kirwa, also from Kenya, crossing in 2:08:17.

On the women’s side, it was all Ethiopia from the gun. Workenesh Edesa Gurmessa ran smart and fearless, winning in 2:21:40. That’s now the fastest marathon ever run on Australian soil since the 2000 Olympics. Ruti Aga Sora finished second in 2:23:09, and Gotytom Gebreslase Teklezgi rounded out the podium with 2:24:16.

Edesa made her move at 30K, dropped the pack, and held it. She barely glanced back. Gemma Maini was the top Aussie, grinding into ninth with 2:40:44. She dug deep, soaked in the cheers near Circular Quay, and crossed with everything she had. The race had pace, fire, and heart, exactly what Sydney needed.

How Long Is the Sydney Marathon & How Many People Run It?

The Sydney Marathon is classic. It sticks to the classic distance, which is its 42.195 km, as expected. It’s that magic number, and runners know exactly what they’re signing up for. In 2024, it wasn’t just iconic sights that filled the streets. Around 20,346 runners finished, the biggest finishing tally in event history. That’s a powerful comeback from just a few thousand a decade earlier.

This leap wasn’t luck. A record 24,000 people entered the race, turning Sydney into Australia’s largest marathon ever. Looking ahead, 2025 is set to blow those numbers away.

The event expects a whopping 35,000 participants for the marathon alone, thanks to its shiny new World Marathon Major status. So now that we are close to the race, let’s look at some more details.

How Can You Watch the Sydney Marathon 2025?

Well, no need to wake up early in Sydney to catch the action live. The 2025 Sydney Marathon goes down on Sunday, August 31, and coverage kicks off from 6:00 am to 10:00 am AEST. In Australia, viewers can tune in for free on 7mate or stream it live on 7plus Sport. Missed the race? No worries—replays and highlights will be up on 7plus shortly after.

Outside Australia, the race is just a click away. International fans can stream the full event live on the TCS Sydney Marathon YouTube channel. No paywalls. No subscriptions. Just pure race-day energy.

Now, if you want to track someone mid-race, all you need to do is just grab the TCS Sydney Marathon app. It’s got live runner tracking, course maps, timing splits, and more. So whether you’re watching Kipchoge chase history or cheering for a mate from across the globe, you’re covered. TV, mobile, laptop, whatever works. But what if you want to watch it then and there? We got that, too.

How Do You Get To the Sydney Marathon 2025?

Getting to the 2025 Sydney Marathon isn’t just easy; it’s built into the plan. Runners don’t need tickets. Public transport is free for all participants. All you need to do is just flash your race bib to the driver or station staff. Trains, buses, ferries, metro, light rail, it’s all covered.

Extra early services will run from across Sydney to get runners to the new start line at North Sydney Oval on time. Trust the locals, driving in is a mess. The CBD will have major parking restrictions all weekend. The best move is to hop on a train. The closest stops to the finish line are Circular Quay, Wynyard, and Town Hall. From there, it’s a short walk to the action.

Spectators, you’re sorted too.

Stake out a spot along Macquarie Street, near The Rocks, or along the Harbour Bridge. For the grand finale, get to the Opera House forecourt early—it packs out fast. All you need to do is just use the Trip Planner at transportnsw.info to map your route. It updates live and can save you serious stress. And if you’re getting dropped off, make it quick; designated drop zones near the start are tightly managed. The bottom line is to stay alert, transport’s free, streets are packed, and views are epic. Plan smart. Plus, there are specific rules that need to be followed as well.

What Are the Sydney Marathon 2025 Road Closures & Traffic Changes?

The 2025 Sydney Marathon brings serious road closures and a lot of detours. From 2 am to 4 pm on Sunday, August 31, major parts of Sydney will shut down. It starts early in North Sydney, where Miller Street, Pacific Highway, and surrounding roads close between 2 am and 12 pm. Access is tight, but some resident-only entry is managed.

The big one is that the Sydney Harbour Bridge shuts from 3 am to 11 am. No cars. No buses. Just runners. Drivers must use the Harbour Tunnel, which will stay open. The Cahill Expressway and Circular Quay Overpass are off-limits from 3 am to 11:30 am. The Macquarie Street corridor stays closed until 4 pm, which will affect access to the Opera House finish line.

CBD, The Rocks, Pyrmont, Ultimo, and Centennial Park all face staggered closures from 4 am to 3:30 pm. Oxford Street? No-go till 3:30 pm. And Flinders Street will be blocked till 3 pm.

Public transport is expected to be delayed, and route changes might be there, too. Buses will be diverted. Ferries at Circular Quay may adjust schedules. Check apps before you travel. The Cross City Tunnel will be toll-free from 5 am to 4:30 pm, offering one of the only east-west routes open. Residents are urged to move their cars early. Street parking restrictions are strict. Access in and out of blocked areas is limited or managed only under escort.

If you’re watching the race, walk, cycle, or ride the train. Commuting? Delay it—or plan a very different route.

Apart from all this, another major concern is the weather.

Sydney Marathon 2025 Weather: What to Expect on Race Day

If the weather holds like it has in recent years, runners are in for near-perfect race conditions. On August 31, 2025, Sydney’s forecast is clear skies, light wind, and cool, dry air, ideal for chasing personal bests.

Expect a chilly start, with temperatures around 43°F (6°C) and 68% humidity at gun time. Layers will be key early on. By midday, the mercury climbs to a high of 66°F (19°C)—still cool enough to push hard without overheating.

The wind’s coming in gently from the west-northwest at 8 mph, which shouldn’t pose a major problem across the Harbour Bridge or down Macquarie Street. In fact, many elite runners call this course “fast and fair,” especially in weather like this.

Compared to past years, when temperatures start around 60°F (16°C) and highs hit 73°F (23°C), this year’s cooler atmosphere should boost performance. Both the Course Score (98.55) and the PR Score (98.55) are excellent, meaning conditions are optimal for fast finishes and maybe even record-setting runs. Just don’t forget gloves or a light throwaway top. That morning chill bites.