Sydney Marathon 2027: Entry Options After the Ballot Results

The organisers of the Sydney Marathon 2027 have sent out the ballot results for race places. The marathon will take place on Sunday, 29 August 2027. Missing out in the ballot does not close the door on running in Sydney, because part of the field is filled through separate routes. Below is a summary of the results, the fees and the alternatives.

Ballot results and fees

Results were sent to applicants on 3 November 2026, both to those accepted and to those who missed out. For successful applicants, the registration fee was charged to their bank card on the same day, followed by a confirmation email. If the email has not arrived, check your junk or spam folder first and only then contact the organiser.

The registration fee is AUD 285 for residents of Australia and New Zealand and AUD 340 for international entrants. A mandatory carbon levy is added, and donations are optional.

What to do if you missed out in the ballot

The organiser points mainly to the travel and charity programs. If you agreed to share your details when applying, the program operators will contact you directly.

Travel Program

Clients of official International Travel Partners (ITPs) must register by 23:59 AEST on 30 June 2027. A travel agency cannot register on a participant’s behalf. A participant can be swapped for another person until 16:00 AEST on 31 July 2027. After that date the entry cannot be transferred, even if the reason is a visa rejection, an injury or a change of plans.

Charity Program

Fundraising and registration must be completed by 23:59 AEST on 15 July 2027. After the deadline the place may be forfeited or, if the organiser allows a late registration, moved to the final start group. Registering before reaching the fundraising target gives the organiser the right to cancel the entry. An unfinished entry cannot be deferred to a later year.

Candidacy Club

Anyone who finished the Sydney Marathon in the candidacy years of 2022, 2023 or 2024 is guaranteed entry to one of the next three events: 2025, 2026 or 2027. Results for those who nominated 2027 are expected soon.

High Performance Program

Applications to the program for high-performing athletes are closed, with a decision expected in early November. Anyone who submitted such an application should not also apply for the ballot. Unsuccessful applications will be entered into the ballot automatically.

Deferrals

Participants with a deferred entry who nominated 2027, or who have not yet chosen a year, will receive instructions after the November ballot on how to claim their place for the 2027 edition.

Abbott World Marathon Majors Ballot

A separate pool is planned for runners with at least three stars for completed races in the series. The ballot is scheduled for 2027, usually in April. The organiser will publish details closer to the date.

Pacers

Applications to lead pace groups will open in 2027. The rules have not been published yet.

Entry options at a glance

Which route to choose?

For most runners from outside Australia, two routes are realistic: the Travel Program and the Charity Program. The others require a previous start in Sydney, a high-level result or the right number of stars. The choice comes down to what suits you better: a ready-made package with flights and accommodation, or fundraising for a chosen organisation.

The organiser has not published prices for travel packages or a minimum fundraising amount, so it is worth comparing offers from several agencies and checking the terms with a specific charity. Time is also needed for flights and submitting details, all within fixed deadlines.

Source: Sydney Marathon