Overview

• About 35,000 runners are set to start on Sunday from roughly 79,000 applicants as Sydney becomes the first World Marathon Major in the southern hemisphere.
• Sifan Hassan confirmed she will forgo the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, citing recovery needs, to race the inaugural Sydney Major.
• Eliud Kipchoge, 40, said he feels "huge pressure" to win but stressed a greater goal of inspiring people to take up running after a DNF at Paris 2024 and sixth in London this year.
• Winners will earn $30,000 with a $10,000 bonus on offer for breaking Australian records, on a route that crosses the Harbour Bridge and finishes at the Opera House with a late climb at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
• Elite depth features Vincent Ngetich and Birhanu Legese in the men’s race and Brigid Kosgei and defending champion Workenesh Edesa in the women’s field, with clear skies and cool temperatures forecast after weeks of rain.