International marathons in Colombo and Sydney gain global recognition

The Colombo Marathon 2026 has achieved international competitive status after being validated by World Athletics. The event is now registered on the World Athletics Global Calendar as a World Rankings Competition, meaning performances will be eligible to contribute to official world rankings. Scheduled for September 13, the race expects over 4,000 participants across four categories, including a full marathon and a 10 km road race.

In Australia, the 2026 Sydney Marathon is preparing for its second running as a World Marathon Major. The elite field features prominent international athletes, including Tanzanian champion Simbu, Ethiopian runner Hagos Gebrhiwet, and Kenyan athletes such as Jepchirchir and Vivian Cheruiyot. Organizers aim for a field of more than 40,000 runners from over 140 countries following a significant increase in applications.