Everything You Need To Know About The TCS Sydney Marathon 2026

To mark a well-earned end to August, the TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 will take over Sydney/Eora on Sunday, 30 August. More than 40,000 runners are expected to tackle the 42.195-kilometre course, beginning in North Sydney before crossing the Harbour Bridge, passing through Moore Park and Centennial Park, and finishing at the Sydney Opera House.

Now part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the race puts Sydney alongside the likes of New York, London, Boston, Chicago, Cape Town and Tokyo—and it will certainly make its presence known across the city.

Along with tens of thousands of runners hitting Sydney’s streets, extensive road closures, parking restrictions and changes to public transport and park access will be in place throughout the day.

We’ve collected the essential information you need to navigate the 2026 Sydney Marathon, whether you’re running, cheering from the sidelines or simply trying to get around the city.

Jump to:

• About The Sydney Marathon 2026
• How To Get To The Sydney Marathon
• Where To Watch The Sydney Marathon
• Sydney Marathon Public Transport Changes
• Sydney Marathon Road Closures

About The Sydney Marathon 2026

The newest member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS returns on Sunday, 30 August 2026, with more than 40,000 runners expected to take part. General registrations have sold out, although charity and travel package entries may still be available.

The World Athletics Platinum Label marathon covers 42.195 kilometres, beginning on Miller Street in North Sydney before crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and travelling through some of the city’s best-known locations, including Moore Park and Centennial Park. The finish line awaits on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.

Elite wheelchair athletes will begin at 6.15am, followed by the mass participation start from 6.30am. Start-group timings will be released closer to race day, with an 8.40am start-line cut-off and a seven-hour course limit ending at 3.40pm.

The wider race weekend also includes the TCS Sydney Mini Marathon, which will see participants take on a five-kilometre course from Macquarie Street to the Sydney Opera House on Saturday, 29 August.

The Sydney Marathon remains the only continuing sporting legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. For 2026, the race is expanding into a broader citywide celebration, with live entertainment, food and spectator activations adding to the atmosphere throughout the course.

How To Get To The Sydney Marathon

Public transport is the best way to reach the race, with extensive road closures and special-event clearways making driving and drop-offs difficult across North Sydney, the CBD, Moore Park and Centennial Park.

Registered participants and volunteers will receive included travel on public transport during marathon week, covering standard metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail services. Runners should keep their race bib visible while travelling.

The marathon begins on Miller Street in North Sydney. Detailed recommended routes for each start group, along with additional early-morning services, will be released closer to the event. Participants should check the official Sydney Marathon website and plan their journey through Transport for NSW before leaving home.

Accessible transport and drop-off information will also be available through the marathon’s access and inclusion guide.

Where To Watch The Sydney Marathon

Spectators can support runners from locations across the course, with the official spectator guide outlining entertainment, food, transport and viewing options.

Moore Park and Centennial Park are expected to be particularly lively, as runners will be approaching the final stages of the race when they reach the parklands. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the day, allowing spectators to cheer from anywhere along this part of the route.

For a family-friendly atmosphere and organised entertainment, head to the spectator party zone opposite Centennial Homestead or the Driver Avenue Forecourt opposite the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sydney Marathon Public Transport Changes

Additional and altered public transport services are expected across marathon weekend to help runners, volunteers and spectators reach the course.

Trains and metro will be the most reliable options, particularly during the early morning, while buses and light rail services may be delayed, diverted or terminate early due to road closures. Stations surrounding the North Sydney start line and Sydney Opera House finish are also expected to be significantly busier than usual.

Full race-day timetables and recommended routes are set to be released closer to the event. Check the Transport for NSW trip planner before travelling and allow plenty of additional time.

Sydney Marathon Road Closures

Extensive road closures and special-event clearways will be in place across North Sydney, the Sydney CBD, Moore Park and Centennial Park on Sunday, 30 August. Drivers are strongly encouraged to avoid affected areas and use public transport where possible.

All roads and vehicle gates within Centennial Park will be closed for the entire day, with no parking or Mobility Parking Scheme permit-holder access available. Pedestrians can enter at any time, but cyclists, rollerbladers, e-scooter users and equestrians will not be permitted inside the park until 4pm, once event infrastructure has been cleared.

Centennial Homestead, Spruce Goose and the park’s children’s play areas will remain open, but they will only be accessible on foot. Centennial Park Cycle Hire will be closed for the day.

In Moore Park, Driver Avenue and Anzac Parade will be closed from 5am until 3.30pm. Road closures will also affect access around the Entertainment Quarter, although its car park will have managed access from the eastern end of Lang Road.

Residents of Robertson Road, Martin Road, Oxley Lane and Dibbs Street will be unable to enter or exit by vehicle during the course lockdown between 5am and 3.30pm. Those needing their cars during this period are advised to park at the Entertainment Quarter, with reimbursement available from the event organiser when the conditions of its online form are met.

The Centennial Parklands Equestrian Centre will remain accessible via Lang Road from Oxford Street and Moore Park Road, but there will be no access from Driver Avenue or eastbound along Lang Road from Anzac Parade until 3.30pm.

Broader closure times, clearways and an interactive traffic map will be released closer to race day on Live Traffic NSW and the Greater Sydney Parklands event page.

Image credit: Sydney Marathon | Instagram