The 2023 Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS, took place over the weekend. This year’s race attracted over 40,000 runners. Out of these 17,000 were taking part in the full marathon. This was a record turnout for the event and making Sydney 2023 the largest marathon event to be held in Australia.

High temperatures 

I was one of the full marathon runners. While I am a seasoned marathoner and I have run multiple full marathons, this year is the first time that I was taking on the Sydney Marathon. Unseasonably hot temperatures in Sydney the days leading up to the race meant that it would be a difficult and challenging race if the temperatures did not dissipate.

On race morning, the temperature was already 15 degrees C at around 6am. I walked out of my hotel wearing just my running singlet and shorts as it wasn’t cold at all. Usually when I run in cooler temperatures, I will need a poncho to stay warm at the start line. 

Taking the ferry to the start 

I took the ferry from Circular Quay to Milsons Point, where the race would flag off at. It was a short three to five minute ride. While the ferry was the more scenic option and I enjoyed the view, most runners had opted to take a train down as this was the easiest and fastest method.

Milsons Point was quite crowded when I reached at about 6:20am. The start area was just under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I joined the snaking toilet queue and ended up waiting about 30 minutes to use the toilet. 

I made it into my start pen at about 7am. The full marathon was scheduled to flag off at 7.10am. I was in the front pen and I started running just after 7.10am.

Enjoying it at the beginning 

I really enjoyed the beginning of the race. In the first couple kilometres, we ran on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The backdrop was beautiful and scenic and this was easily the best part of the race. Trying to make the most of this unique opportunity, I went selfie-happy.

After crossing the bridge, we were taken on a tour of beautiful Sydney, passing landmarks such as the rocks and Darling Harbour as we ran first towards Pyrmont and then down Anzac Parade towards Centennial Park. The finish line was at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Scenic route 

The route was scenic and this is easily one of the most picturesque and beautiful marathons that I have ever run. There were several out and back portions throughout the route. 

I bumped into a few familiar faces along the way and said hello to all of them. It was so nice to see fellow runners whom I recognised.

Running through Sydney also brings back some memories for me, because I used to live in Sydney years back when I was a tertiary student.  

Challenging and undulating terrain

In terms of the terrain, it was challenging and undulating with rolling hills throughout the whole course. You definitely should train on hills if you are taking on the Sydney Marathon. For myself, I did several of my long runs on hilly roads, so I guess that helped me.

Hot, hot and hot 

As well, if running a marathon was not difficult enough, the sun had other ideas. The start time of 7:10am was quite late, with the temperatures soaring into the 20s C less than half an hour into the run.

The temperatures reached the late 20s C about halfway through the run and peaking at 30 C close to noon. This searing heat made the marathon exceptionally challenging. I felt as though I was being cooked alive.

For me personally, the first 20km went by without any major hiccups. My legs were feeling good and I was running along and enjoying myself.

Hydration and aid stations 

The hydration stations along the route were serving either plain water only, or both water and isotonic beverage. It would have helped more, if a larger quantity of the stations had the isotonic rather than only the water.

Some of the stations were also serving energy gel (GU brand). I’m not a fan of GU so I was glad that I had brought my own gels along.

To cope with the searing heat, cups of ice were given out and runners were sprayed with jets of water on a couple of occasions. Prior to the race, runners had also been advised by the race organisers to take measures to deal with the heat, such as wearing a cap or running more conservatively at a slower pace.

I later heard on the news that 26 people had been taken to hospital and 40 were treated for heat-related injuries during the Sydney Marathon. So the heat issues were definitely quite serious. 

I thought that the hydration tables could be longer. I found the length of the tables to be quite short. With the large crowds of runners moving in to grab the beverage, there were some occasions where I wound up bumping into another runner trying to grab the same cup as me, or I found myself high and dry having to wait for the volunteer to pour out the next cup.

I also heard from friends who finished towards the back of the pack (5 hours plus timing) that there were issues with regards to supply and demand at the hydration aid stations.

The kilometre markings were displayed prominently and present at every kilometre. As well, while some may have appeared to be 100 to 500m off compared to my Garmin watch, this was most probably due to errors with regards to GPS signals, as we were running through city areas where the GPS may play up.

Around the halfway mark of the marathon, I experienced some stomach difficulties. This could have been due to overeating and taking in too much meat the day before. Fortunately for me though, there was a hydration station about 200m or so ahead of me. So I stopped for a short while and drank a cup of isotonic. Thankfully the stomach cramps went away and didn’t cause trouble for the rest of the run. Otherwise there could have been real problems with regards to me being able to complete the Sydney Marathon.

Crowd support

With regards to the crowd and spectator support, there were pockets where spectators lined the route, but there were also portions of the route where it was quiet and devoid of crowd support. 

In terms of Australian marathons, I had thought the crowd support along the course at the Gold Coast Marathon was more robust and enthusiastic than what I had experienced in Sydney.

As the sun continued to rear its ugly head, the second half of the marathon felt like a death march as we ran down Anzac Parade and into Centennial Park.

Pace check 

The heat was so hot and I began to experience difficulties with regards to staying on pace for a sub 4 hour marathon. I was constantly checking my pace to make sure I hung on. It was worse by the fact that the sky was clear and cloudless and there was not much shade at all along the route.

The long out and back Centennial Park segment was especially tough and the searing, burning heat together with the constant rolling hills were doing no favours at all. It took a lot of mental willpower to not give up and simply walk my way to the finish. I was still on pace to go under 4 hours and I told myself I was going to see it through. By this point, I was suffering and I just wanted to finish. 

Respect the marathon 

My mind was completely blanked out. I didn’t know where I was anymore. I was no longer focusing on what or who was around me any longer. I was seriously beginning to question my poor decision making and why I was choosing to torture myself in such a manner. 

Respect the distance. Never underestimate the marathon and what it will throw at you.

The final stretch

It was a relief to leave Centennial Park. The final stretch of the run was down and back Macquarie Street en route to finishing at the Sydney Opera House. My legs were so overworked at this point and my whole body was protesting but when I saw the sign saying 400m to go, I tried my best to push my body on for that final sprint.

The Sydney Opera House was looming. The finish line was right up ahead. Throngs of spectators lined the final stretch of the race and they egged and cheered me on. It was so motivating. I mustered up all the energy that I could for that perfect finishing photo.

Sub 4

Then the finish line was there, right up ahead. 

3 hours 58 minutes 40 seconds.

Sub 4. 

I’d had no idea if I could pull it off in such burning heat. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that I had.

Finish area

The finish area was beautiful and scenic and the backdrop was amazing. The photo opportunities for Instagram would be lovely. I also thought the finishing medal was lovely and well-designed. It is definitely among the best medals that I have received.

With regards to the finisher shirt, it would help if the organisers had separate male and female cutting, rather than just a “unisex” cutting. “Unisex” is generally always male cutting, from my experience and it never hugs my body well.

Water, isotonic drink and non-alcoholic beer was available for runners to help themselves after the run. As well, there was a race carnival with food and drink available. However it was way too hot to soak up the atmosphere and I was too exhausted to enjoy anything. The sun was burning straight through my bones. I just wanted to find shade and sit around and simply do nothing. I was completely and utterly shagged.

Overall comments

As a whole, I would say that the Sydney Marathon location is indeed iconic and world famous, and that alone is a major selling point. The race has the potential to be a beautiful and scenic run, but unfortunately the weather is out of everyone’s control.

Based on what I experienced today, does the Sydney Marathon currently have what it takes to be inducted into the elite and esteemed club of World Marathon Majors? I don’t know. Let’s wait and see what happens in the next couple of years. It has some major plus points, but there are also kinks that can be improved on. 

Are you inspired? Do you want to take on this beautiful and iconic race yourself?

The Sydney Marathon 2024 will be open for registrations soon. This event will also play host to the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Championships in 2024. So stay tuned to Sydney Marathon Facebook page and look out for it, if you want to be a part of this iconic running event next year. 

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