SYDNEY SHINES AS LEGENDS LIGHT UP THE OPENING CEREMONY OF HISTORIC TCS SYDNEY MARATHON

Fireworks over Sydney Harbour ignite the start of Australia’s biggest marathon weekend 

(Sydney, 29 August 2025) Sydney Harbour came alive tonight as the world’s greatest marathoners, wheelchair athletes, and Australian athletes gathered for the first-ever “Meet The Stars” showcase - the official opening ceremony of the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS race weekend. 

The landmark event marked the beginning of Sydney’s debut year as an Abbott World Marathon Major (AbbottWMM), a milestone that positions the city alongside the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America, TCS London Marathon, BMW-BERLIN Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon. 

Thousands of spectators flocked to the Sydney Opera House to catch a glimpse of their favourite marathoners. Among those taking the stage were Eliud Kipchoge (KEN), the only human to run a marathon under two hours; Sifan Hassan (NED), reigning Paris Olympic champion; Brigid Kosgei (KEN) and Birhanu Legese (ETH); alongside Australia’s own champions Jessica Stenson, Lisa Weightman, Brett Robinson and Liam Adams. 

Paralympic champions and Major winners Daniel Romanchuk (USA), Susannah Scaroni (USA), Tomoki Suzuki (JPN) and Eden Rainbow-Cooper (GBR) also drew applause in what is one of the strongest wheelchair racing fields ever assembled in Sydney. 

Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) said: 

“I want to run a beautiful race. I want to run a good race, whereby people will enjoy and get inspiration. I want to run in respect of all Australian citizens.” 

Adding to the night’s highlights, TCS Sydney Marathon First Nations Strategist, Nat Heath of TRIMOB presented cultural gifts to Kipchoge and Hassan, connecting the world’s newest AbbottWMM with the world’s oldest living culture. 

Local runner and artist Josh Manning presented Kipchoge with a special artwork inspired by his world record run in Berlin. 

The showcase culminated in a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour, setting the stage for a weekend that will see 35,000 runners from more than 100 countries take part in Australia’s largest ever marathon. 

On Sunday 31 August, the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will take over the city, with athletes, spectators and the community joining together to celebrate the fastest, largest, and most globally significant marathon in Australian history. 

The TCS Sydney Marathon is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The event is owned by Athletics Australia and managed by Pont3. 

For more information please visit: www.tcssydneymarathon.com