HEADLINE CHARITY - TCS SYDNEY MARATHON 2026
Running for Premature Babies
Running for Premature Babies was founded by Sophie Smith OAM, inspired by the premature birth of her baby triplets Henry, Jasper and Evan. Sophie’s triplets tragically didn’t survive their prematurity, but their legacy continues to inspire runners to lace up their shoes, raise funds for urgently required neonatal equipment across Australia, and save the lives of sick and premature babies.
To date $10 million has been raised, thanks to the efforts of runners and generous donors, just like you, helping save the lives of more than 10,000 sick and premature babies.
What an incredible and tangible impact! Though with 26,000 babies born prematurely in Australia each year, needing specialised neonatal equipment to survive, there is so much more work to do.
As a proud headline charity partner for the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon we’re on a mission to inspire a team of dedicated runners and raise $1million for premature babies.
Help us get to our million-dollar milestone finish line, and we’ll help you get to the iconic Opera House finish line in August.
Your kilometres can save lives!
Join us and be part of the team lacing up and saving lives with every step you take of your 42kms at the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon.
Why join the Running for Premature Babies team?
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You’ll be inspirational - the money you raise will help ensure that sick and premature babies have access to the neonatal equipment they need to survive.
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You’ll earn fabulous rewards when you hit fundraising milestones to kit you out for race day!
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Don the infamous purple premmie running singlet and experience true camaraderie on the course from your fellow team-mates and cheer squads!
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Run to celebrate a child born prematurely and now thriving, and give back so others can be as lucky
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Run in honour of a baby who has passed away, create a legacy in their name, and give other babies a better chance.
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Be part of a community of parents who’ve walked the NICU journey.
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Earn your Abbott World Marathon Major Star knowing you’re making a tangible difference to the lives of sick and premature babies, and their families, who get to experience the true joy of taking their baby home.
For Mitch McGuiness it was his five year old twins who inspired him to run his first marathon. Little Angus and Charlie were born prematurely at just 26 weeks and faced a challenging start to life. Thanks to specialised neonatal equipment, and a 12 week stay in hospital, they are now thriving. Driven by gratitude and hope for other families, Mitch joined the Running for Premature Babies team, and crossed the finish line in 4 hours 16 minutes, raising over $7,000 to give thanks for his children and help give more premature babies the best possible chance at life."
To celebrate turning 50 last year, Melanie Sinton decided to run her first marathon. When she missed out on a spot in the ballot for the TCS Sydney Marathon in 2025 she looked into getting an entry through a charity as a ‘Charity Place Runner’. It was there she discovered the charity Running for Premature Babies, and her marathon experience took on a whole new meaning.
Melanie says, "It was the memories of my prematurely born son, his time in the NICU 16 years ago, and the incredible generosity of friends who donated to my fundraiser for Running for Premature Babies that turned not just the race, but the training too, into something far more meaningful than I ever could have imagined.”
“'This marathon was so much more than a finishing time. What started off as a bit of a pipe dream to a run marathon, became an unexpected, serendipitous opportunity to do something really special.”
Melanie ended up raising over $12,000 towards the team’s $500,000 fundraising total, providing urgently needed neonatal equipment to hospitals in need and helping saving the lives of sick and premature babies.
Melanie adds, “I truly believe, that in life, when you can make a positive difference, give back, or give other’s hope – you go for it! No matter how challenging it might be, you grab that opportunity, work hard and give it your all because something truly special can happen when you run with that intention”.
Born prematurely in 2004, weighing just 1.4kg, Alexi Cross faced immense odds from the very start. At only a few days old, she was diagnosed with Necrotizing Enterocolitis - a life-threatening condition common in preterm infants - and underwent emergency surgery at just three weeks old to remove part of her bowel. Now a medical student at James Cook University with dreams of becoming a neonatal surgeon, Alexi’s story has come full circle.
In 2025, she completed her first marathon in Sydney, a powerful achievement that proves that anything is possible.
“As a premmie baby myself, I feel so honoured to stand up and prove that little things really can do great things,” says Alexi. “Even more special was having my amazing twin, Lucy, also born prematurely, by my side at the start and finish line. It was the thought of my supporters and the incredible work of Running for Premature Babies that pushed me through those last tough kilometres.”
Wearing the charity’s signature purple and raising over $3,500, Alexi ran with purpose and pride.
“This marathon meant so much more to me than just time or distance,” she adds. “It was about giving hope - hope that those tiny babies out there will get the care they need to grow strong, capable, and happy.”
Case studies
Running for Premature Babies
Together, we’ll make a life-saving impact.
Join the Running for Premature Babies team in this milestone year, marking 20 years since the premature birth of triplets Henry, Jasper and Evan Smith, and the beginning of Running for Premature Babies.
Run with us and your marathon will help us achieve our $1 million goal in their legacy and ensure access to life-saving neonatal equipment for the 26,000 premature babies born in Australia each year, no matter where in the county they are born.
The 2026 Ballot Results Are Out!
Congratulations to those who were successful, we can’t wait to see you on the start line!
For those who were unsuccessful, you can still secure your entry by our Travel and Charity Program. Ensure you sign up to our Seven Rewards to access exclusive entries from our partners.
Relive all the 2025 action via our YouTube!
It was an incredible day for running in Sydney on Sunday, August 31 - and our content team captured it all! Relive all the best moments, lead-up content and our exclusive extended broadcast via our TCS Sydney Marathon YouTube channel, and make sure to subscribe for the latest video content from us!
2025 TCS Sydney Marathon Course Flyover
Check out in detail the 42.195km course that all the running world is talking about - from the start line at North Sydney, to crossing Harbour Bridge, and finishing at the Sydney Opera House. Enjoy an in-depth look at marathon day from a bird's-eye view of the course, powered by TCS.
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