When I signed up for the TCS Sydney Marathon, I originally had two things in mind: earn my 7th World Marathon Major star and enjoy a good vacation with my running buddies.
It was also my first time in Sydney, and to be honest, before the trip, what I knew about the city was mostly the Sydney Opera House. When I thought of Australia, my mind usually went straight to kangaroos, wildlife, beaches, and yes, maybe a crocodile or two. 😂
But after spending time in Sydney and running the marathon, I realized that it’s actually one of the easiest international race destinations I can recommend to Filipino runners.
And if you’re already thinking about your races for next year, this might be worth putting on your list.
Quick note for 2027: The TCS Sydney Marathon will happen on August 29, 2027, and the ballot opens on September 29, 2026. The ballot closes on October 19.
Sydney surprised me
Sydney as a city was completely different from what I imagined.
It’s modern, diverse, and there’s such a good mix of people and cultures that I immediately felt comfortable. There’s no language barrier, transportation is easy to understand, and you have so many choices when it comes to food.
And the coffee? Very good.
If you’re the type of runner who enjoys exploring coffee shops before or after a run, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy.
What I also loved was how quickly the vibe can change. One moment you’re in the middle of a busy international city, then a short trip later you’re at Bondi enjoying a completely different beach and surf atmosphere.
That combination of city + beach + running + food + coffee is one of the reasons Sydney works so well as a racecation.
The marathon was a breakthrough race for me
Going into the marathon, I already knew Sydney had a reputation for being a harder course.
There are rolling hills, and compared with some of the other World Majors I’ve run, it’s definitely not the easiest route.
But instead of being afraid of that, I used it as extra motivation during training.
My goal was to get to the starting line properly prepared so that instead of simply surviving the hills, I could actually enjoy the race.
And that’s exactly what happened.
I surprisingly enjoyed the rolling course. The race takes you through some beautiful parts of Sydney, including running across the iconic Harbour Bridge before eventually making your way toward the Opera House finish.
The crowds were also fantastic.
I remember passing an entire group singing while people cheered throughout the course. That’s one of the things I love about Major Marathons. The race becomes more than just an event for runners. You can really feel that the city itself is involved.
And somehow, despite Sydney being a tougher course, I managed to shave around 1 minute and 30 seconds off my previous marathon PR.
For me, this was a breakthrough race.
Crossing the finish line feeling strong and happy, knowing that weeks of training had paid off, then getting to check off my seventh Major star made the experience even more special.
Why Sydney makes sense for Filipino runners
If someone asked me which race I’d recommend for their first international marathon, Sydney would be high on my list.
One big reason is simply how accessible it feels from the Philippines.
There are direct flights, and the time difference is only around two hours. That means very little adjustment compared with flying to Europe or the US.
During my race, we also had great running weather, around 10°C to 17°C, which made racing much more comfortable. Of course, weather changes every year, so that’s not a guarantee for 2027, but late-winter Sydney gave us some beautiful race conditions.
There’s also no language barrier. You can easily explore, order food, use public transport, and get around without worrying too much about communication.
For race morning, getting to the starting area was actually one of the easiest experiences I’ve had among the Majors. For our race, trains were free for runners and getting to the start was straightforward.
Just prepare for the cold if you’re in an early wave. Bring an old jacket or throwaway layer while waiting for the start.
Once more runners arrive, though, that’s when you really begin to feel the Major Marathon energy.
Don’t just run. Make it a real racecation.
This is probably my biggest advice.
Don’t fly to Sydney, run 42K, then immediately go home.
One of my favorite experiences was spending time around Bondi, doing the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, enjoying the beach, checking out Bondi Icebergs, visiting coffee shops, and, of course, browsing the specialty running stores.
My usual routine for an international marathon is to arrive on Thursday before the race. That gives me a few days to settle in and collect my race kit on Thursday or Friday.
For Sydney, I’d recommend staying another five to seven days after the marathon if your schedule allows.
Use those days to recover, explore, shop, eat, and actually experience Sydney life.
One thing I’d personally do differently next time is plan the post-race holiday earlier. I was so focused on the marathon that I only started discovering some of the places I wanted to visit after I was already there.
So research ahead and book any tours or experiences you really want to do.
A few practical tips
For the race expo, try to collect your kit on Thursday if you can.
We went on Friday and the lines were already long, with part of the queue outside the expo. If you’re going later in the week, bring an umbrella just in case.
Accommodation can also fit different budgets.
You can stay in one of Sydney’s great hotels if you want to splurge, but on our trip, four of us shared an apartment-style hotel, which helped bring the cost down considerably.
Sydney also has a large Filipino community, so some runners may have friends or relatives they can stay with.
The trip can be as premium or as practical as your budget allows.
About the 2027 Sydney Marathon ballot
The 2027 TCS Sydney Marathon ballot opens September 29, 2026 and closes October 19.
The ballot operates through a random draw, which means there is no advantage to entering on the first day.
Successful applicants will be notified on November 3, 2026, when their cards will be charged.
You’ll need a credit card when registering for the ballot, but you won’t be charged unless you’re selected.
Runners Receive:
- Finisher T-Shirt
- Finisher Medal
- 12 months of ASICS RunKeeper Go
- Access to Marathon State of Mind, a sports psychology and AI-powered mental training platform
If you’re unsuccessful in the ballot, information on other entry options, including official international tour operators and charity programs, will also be provided when ballot results are announced.
So, would I run Sydney again?
Given the chance, yes.
This time I won’t be chasing another Sydney star. I’d probably come back to see if I can beat my time on those rolling hills.
Running a marathon abroad is already a very different experience. Running one that’s part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors takes it to another level.
Of course, earning the star is special.
But more than the star, I think experiencing a race like this is something worth putting on a runner’s lifetime checklist.
And for us Filipinos, Sydney gives us a chance to experience that World Major atmosphere relatively close to home, with minimal jet lag, a beautiful city to explore, great food and coffee, beaches nearby, and plenty to do once the running shoes come off.
So if you’re already planning your 2027 racecation, this is one ballot I’d seriously consider entering.
The TCS Sydney Marathon 2027 ballot opens September 29.
Sydney is calling. Are you in?
