Sydney Marathon introduces guaranteed entry for veteran runners

The Sydney Marathon has announced a new guaranteed entry policy for the 2027 race to reward its most loyal participants. Under the new rules, local runners who have completed at least 10 previous Sydney Marathons will be granted a spot in the event.

This decision follows a massive surge in the race's popularity after it was granted world major status. While the event previously saw only a few thousand participants, the current general ballot sees over 123,000 applicants competing for 40,000 places, drawing runners from 139 different countries.

The new policy specifically benefits members of the Sydney Marathon Bridge Club, a group of fewer than 100 athletes who have each completed at least 10 races. Previously, these members faced the risk of missing out on entry due to the high volume of applicants. The guaranteed spots for the Bridge Club follow a long-standing tradition of honoring elite groups like the Blue Line Legends, who have participated in every race since 2001.