TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS

Sustainability

Sustainability at the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS

At the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, we’re driving change by making our event greener, cleaner, and more impactful.

In 2024, we began our reporting journey under the World Athletics, Athletics for a Better World Standard, while also calculating the event’s carbon footprint for the first time. This provided a critical benchmark to guide future reductions and shape our pathway toward carbon neutrality by 2030.

To support our sustainability journey, we’re working with Clima to set yearly targets and implement reduction strategies. Together, we’ll work to minimise emissions where possible and explore offsetting strategies - working to balance the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced with the amount removed from the atmosphere.

While we focus on reducing impacts where we can, an equally important priority is influencing behaviour change. By combining operational improvements with education and engagement, we aim to inspire positive change across the running community - not just on race day, but in everyday habits.

Sustainability is an important focus for marathons around the world, as organisers plan responsibly for the environments and communities that host these events. At the TCS Sydney Marathon, we see this as an opportunity to encourage positive behaviours across the running community and ensure the event leaves a lasting, positive legacy.

Recognition of our sustainability efforts

In 2025, the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS achieved Gold Status under the World Athletics, Athletics for a Better World Standard. This marks a significant improvement from 2024, where the event achieved Silver Status.

This recognition reflects the continued progress and collective efforts made across our teams, partners and community as we work to reduce environmental impacts and inspire positive change across the running community.

Find out more

Climate Action Week Sydney 2026

As part of Climate Action Week Sydney 2026, the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS hosted two community events bringing runners, partners and sustainability leaders together to explore the role sport can play in climate action. These events combined panel discussions and a community run to spark conversations around environmental responsibility and the power of grassroots behaviour change.

During the week we also launched the Pledge for the Planet 21-Day Our Kickstart Mission, encouraging runners to build simple sustainable habits during training and beyond - reinforcing the idea that small actions across a community can drive meaningful impact.

Year-round sustainability actions

Sustainability doesn’t stop when the race ends.

At the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, we believe lasting impact comes from consistent, everyday action. That’s why our sustainability initiatives run year-round -inspiring behaviour change, building community, and driving meaningful environmental outcomes long after race day.

Pledge for the Planet
At the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, sustainability goes beyond race day. Through our partnership with Pledge for the Planet, an environmental charity on a mission to get people moving to protect the places we play, we’re supporting runners to build simple, sustainable habits into their training and everyday lives, turning individual actions into measurable collective impact.

Run The Talk: Our Kickstart Mission

A 21-day sport and sustainability challenge bringing together run clubs and the wider community to take simple actions and contribute to live activity and impact leaderboards, showing the power of collective action in real time.

Find out more

Planet PB

A 20-week sustainability training plan alongside the marathon program, helping runners prepare for race day sustainably through practical tips, habit-building challenges, and rewards for consistent action.
Find out more

What we're doing in 2026

Waste management

Alongside our waste management team, Clean Vibes, we continue to strengthen waste separation and recycling across the event. In 2025, a centralised Recycling Hub was introduced in the Recovery Village, featuring 11 waste streams for items such as bibs, bags, bottles, bottle lids and gel wrappers. Managed by our volunteer team of Waste Warriors, the hub helped participants correctly sort materials and reduce waste sent to landfill.

In 2026, this system will expand further with an additional Recycling Hub in the Recovery Village and the introduction of recycling hubs within each start line assembly group.

Clear signage, dedicated recycling streams and the support of volunteers help ensure runners and spectators can dispose of waste correctly while keeping the course clean for participants.

Pre-loved running shoes?

Bring your pre-loved runners to pre-event run clubs or the sustainability booth at the Expo. Dedicated collection boxes will be available to help give quality footwear a second life, supporting communities in need while keeping usable shoes out of landfill.

Start line clothing collection

Don’t want to carry your warm layers during the race? Place them in the clothing collection bins located in your assembly area or along the start line chute. We’ll gather all pre-loved clothing and donate to the Salvation Army, helping those in need while keeping usable clothing out of landfill. All we ask is that you place your clothing in the bins provided and help keep the course clear - please don’t throw items on the ground.

Drink stations

The TCS Sydney Marathon is working closely with Clean Vibes and our volunteer teams to ensure that we keep the course - and your city clean - but we need you to do your bit to help us achieve this. If everyone helps put their rubbish in the correct place, this will help contain the waste and make for a quicker clean-up for everyone

Paper cups go into bale bags.

Don't knock over full cups – be mindful, stay hydrated, and help reduce water waste.

Gel wrappers go into purple bins. Whilst located at all drink stations, in 2026 we are increasing the number of bins to make disposal even easier for runners.

Missed the gel bin? Hold onto your empty wrapper and put it in the next bin or at the Recycling Hub in the Recovery Village

Plogging team

Our plogging team helps keep the course clean by collecting any gel wrappers that may have missed the bins during the race. In 2026, we’re doubling the fleet to 64 ploggers, forming part of the wider event-day course clean-up operation.

Ploggers are there to pick up wrappers that may have missed the bins - but the goal is always to bin it right the first time. Pledgends bin it. Tossers don’t!

Stakeholder engagement and responsible materials

Delivering a more sustainable event requires collaboration across our entire supply chain. We continue to work closely with partners, suppliers and exhibitors to strengthen our accepted materials framework, ensuring packaging, merchandise and event infrastructure align with our sustainability standards.

Our approach focuses on eliminating avoidable single-use plastics, reusing materials where possible, and selecting recyclable or circular alternatives. Through ongoing supplier engagement, clearer event guidelines and improved waste management systems, we aim to reduce non-recyclable materials, minimise unnecessary packaging and support more circular solutions across the event.

Circularity in action

Ever wondered what happens to race-day materials once they reach the bin? At the TCS Sydney Marathon, we’re working to ensure they don’t go to waste.

In 2025, baggage and finisher bags were produced with Better Packaging Co. using recycled ocean-bound plastic, removing 13,000kg of plastic and saving approximately 1,900kg CO₂e compared to virgin plastic. Bags could be returned to the Recycling Hub to be collected and reprocessed as part of a circular system - an initiative that will continue in 2026.

Finisher bottles are made from 100% recycled PET and collected through the Return & Earn scheme. For every bottle collected, $0.10 donated to TriMob, a Mob-led organisation dedicated to powering the Mob through swim, bike, run.

In 2025, plastic lids were collected separately and have been upcycled into a new event structure for 2026… stay tuned to see it unveiled.

We continue exploring upcycling opportunities for unavoidable waste streams, such as gel wrappers, as part of our ongoing circularity efforts.

Reusable serving ware

In 2025, reusable servingware was introduced across the food and beverage area in the Recovery Village, helping reduce single-use packaging generated through event catering. This initiative forms part of our broader effort to minimise waste across event operations, with plans to expand the use of reusable servingware across additional vendors and areas in 2026.

Renewable Energy

In 2025, the marathon deployed 11 solar-powered generators (up from 6 in 2024) across key locations including start venues, live sites and entertainment zones. In 2026, we’re planning to expand this further as part of our long-term plan to phase out diesel/petrol generators.

Sustainable travel

Getting to the start line shouldn’t cost the planet.

Whether you're flying in or hopping on the metro, every travel decision matters - and we’ve made it easier than ever to choose sustainably.

Smarter flights to greener meals, hotel choices and reusable gear – we’ve created a guide to help you make every travel choice count. Free public transport is provided to all registered participants and volunteers travelling to the running show and on race day, with TfNSW.

Elite athletes and course operations are supported by all-electric Porsche vehicles.

Digital Transformation
By moving from print to digital event guides, we're reducing paper waste and lowering our overall environmental impact.

Community engagement

The TCS Sydney Marathon continues to support local communities through a range of programs and partnerships.

In 2025, the event contributed to the City of Sydney Donate a Tree program, planting a narrow-leaved scribbly gum tree in Giba Park as a lasting environmental legacy for the city.

Run Clubs

The TCS Sydney Marathon Run Club is central to our community engagement, providing an inclusive space for runners of all levels to train, connect and prepare for race day.

Our program includes the monthly TCS Sydney Marathon Run Club at Barangaroo, welcoming up to 400 runners each session, alongside a growing Western Sydney series to broaden access across the city. In 2026, the program will expand further with a new Track Night series, delivered in partnership with NSW Athletics and the NSW Office of Sport, offering a safe and welcoming training environment led by our Head Coaches.

Following the 2025 event, the community also came together for five post-event plogging runs, helping keep our running routes clean while collecting litter along the course.

2026 will continue to build on this momentum, creating more opportunities for the community to connect in the lead-up to race day and beyond.

Access and Inclusion

Committed to inclusivity, the TCS Sydney Marathon offers a range of Access & Inclusion policies to ensure that everyone can participate. Our Duo Policy allows individuals with mobility impairments to race alongside a partner, while our Pregnancy and Postpartum policy provides options for deferrals. We connect low vision and blind athletes with guides through our Assisted Participant policy, and welcome wheelchair users across all distances, including race wheelchairs for elite athletes.
As a participant, what can you do to make a positive impact? Follow these simple five steps to get started.

Plan your trip!

Use your free public transport pass, walk, bike or choose low-emission travel options when getting to and from the event.

Bin it right!

Help keep the course clean by placing cups in bale bags and gel wrappers in the purple bins along the course. Pledgends bin it. Tosser’s don’t!

Recycle correctly

Use the recycling hubs located within the start line assembly areas and in the Recovery Village. If you’re unsure where something goes, our Waste Warriors will be there to help.

Close the loop
Return your baggage and finisher bags to the Recycling Hub so they can be collected and reprocessed. Recycle your plastic finisher bottles through the Return & Earn bins, and place reusable serving ware back into the dedicated collection bins so it can be washed and reused.

Give items a second life

Bring pre-loved running shoes to pre-event run clubs and the sustainability booth.

Donate your start-line clothing so they can be passed on to those in need.
Gold certification awarded under World Athletics, Athletics for a Better World Standard

Baggage and finisher bags were produced with Better Packaging Co. using recycled ocean-bound plastic, removing 13,000kg of plastic and saving approximately 1,900kg CO₂e compared to virgin plastic. This was featured on event day broadcast.

Introduced a centralised recycling hub in the Recovery Village, featuring 11 waste streams. Supported by our waste warrior volunteers to help participants correctly sort materials.

The event increased its use of renewable energy with 11 solar generators deployed across the course and venues (up from 6 in 2024), avoiding nearly 400 KgCo2

Partnered with Pledge for the Planet to launch our Run the talk campaign, with 552 pledges made – set to reduce nearly 125,000 KgCO2e and 34,000 waste pieces

Tree planted through City of Sydney’s Donate a Tree Program, creating a lasting environmental legacy for the city

4,000+ volunteers across event week

Finisher bottles were collected through the Return & Earn scheme, raising $3,156.60 for TriMob, a Mob-led organisation supporting participation in swim, bike and run.

A dedicated plogging team of 32 runners, along with five post-event plogging runs, helped keep the course and surrounding areas clean.

750+ finisher bags were donated to Food Bank Australia

64,000 items of clothing were collected at the start line and donated to Salvation Army – giving clothes a second life to support those in need

15 pairs of shoes were collected and donated to Shoes for Planet Earth

7 X all-electric Porsche vehicles were used across event week

Water refill stations at the start venue and throughout the RBG for runners to fill up water bottles

Introduced a post-event survey, with analysis showing:

92% of participants knew their race bib gave them free public transport on event day

81% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the sustainability efforts at our event

83% of participants said they noticed the sustainability initiatives at the event

87% of participants said they’re more likely to take part in an event that takes sustainability seriously

74% of participants noticed gel wrapper bins and signage across drink stations

99% of participants said the TCS Sydney Marathon is a good community investment
Our sustainability journey is more than a set of initiatives - it’s a collective effort involving participants, volunteers, spectators, partners and stakeholders. By making small changes together, we can create meaningful impact and help ensure the TCS Sydney Marathon continues to evolve as a greener and cleaner event.

From our post-event sustainability survey, we know that the running community is ready to be part of this journey. 87% of participants said they are more likely to take part in events that take sustainability seriously, reinforcing that we have both the platform and the audience to encourage and influence positive behaviour change.

Through education, engagement and practical initiatives, we aim to empower our community to become champions of sustainability - not just on race day, but in everyday habits.

As the event continues to grow, we will keep strengthening our sustainability strategy, exploring new solutions and working with our community to drive meaningful change.

Together, we grow. When we win today, Sydney wins on race day - and our planet wins every day.

Secure your 2026 entry through our Official Travel Partners

Travel with one of our Official Travel Partners to guarantee your entry through specially curated travel packages. These packages are ideal for runners and friends and family, providing a seamless marathon weekend experience. Select a Travel Partner that supports your region.

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