Billie EderUpdated August 30, 2026 — 6:39am,first published 5:30amThe race mapBy Latest Posts6.39amSydney puts on a stunner for marathon dayBy Our first wave of runners are crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is a beautiful Sydney Day, and as the sun rises, the fog and chill is lifting across the city. Remember, it’s a rolling start from here, but the next wave is officially meant to start at 6.41am. 6.32amFirst wave of runners beginBy Emily KowalNow, it’s time for our elite runners. Reigning world champions Alphonce Simbu and Peres Jepchirchir lead the first wave of athletes. The city that loves nothing more than an early wake-up and a run is in their element today. The music is pumping, the sunrise is stunning. Let’s go!6.24amThe marathon medal: right city, wrong stadiumBy Everyone who finishes today’s race will get a beautiful, shiny Sydney Marathon medal. How beautiful that in the years to come you can look back at your medal and remember all the iconic Sydney landmarks you ran past – the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Allianz Stadium in Munich...Huh? Munich? You see, there was a bit of a mix-up. Instead of Allianz Stadium in Sydney (which is arguably not an iconic Sydney landmark anyway), race organisers printed Allianz Arena in Munich on the medals. Oops. Sydney Marathon competitors will get this medal, complete with various icons of the city’s landmarks … plus a surprise.InstagramRead the full story here. 6.16amThe race is under wayBy And away they go! The 2026 Sydney Marathon is officially under way, with our elite wheelchair athletes the first to take to the streets of North Sydney. Our Australians in the wheelchair are Sam Risso in the men’s, while Paralympic gold medal winner Madison de Rozarion leads the Australian women which also includes Mikaela Dingley and Eliza Ault-Connell. The elite wheelchair field has a total of 19 athletes across the men’s and women’s. Our wave of elite runners will be at 6.30am. 5.58amRacers make their way across the city for race startBy Supporters and the metro this morning. George ChanCompetitors make their way to Victoria Cross metro station.George ChanRunners depart at Victoria Cross to head to the race start.George ChanA competitor makes his way to the start line.George ChanPinned post from 5.50amThe race mapBy 5.46amWhy Sydney’s beast of a course rewards power over paceBy Iain PaytenOn a ferry trip to the launch event for the Sydney Marathon on Thursday, Tanzanian star Alphonce Simbu was chatting with some of the other elite runners. They agreed to have a big crack at breaking the course record today. “We are planning to make it a new record for here. On Sunday we can do it, this is possible,” Simbu said.Alphonce Simbu and Peres Jepchirchir posing underneath the Harbour Bridge.Sam MooyLike social running in general, record-breaking and marathons is on trend right now.In April, Kenyan star Sabastian Sawe became a household name by becoming the first person to legally run a marathon in under two hours, winning the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.5.39amRace start timesBy 5.29amAll the road closures this morningBy 5.28amA beautiful Sydney day for the marathonBy 1 of 2