Half marathons in Sydney in 2026, including dates, courses, entry fees, and which to enter, from city runs to coastal and harbour
Fitness Desk is a contributing writer covering fitness and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
Sydney has a strong running culture, with several half marathons held throughout the year. The half marathons vary in course, atmosphere, and difficulty. The following are the main half marathons in Sydney in 2026.
Sydney Half Marathon is the largest half marathon in Sydney. The race is held in August and starts at the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishes at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The course is flat and fast and is suitable for beginners and experienced runners. The entry fee is $80 for adults and $40 for children. The race attracts approximately 20,000 runners each year.
City2Surf is a 14km fun run from the CBD to Bondi Beach. The race is held in August and is one of the largest fun runs in the world. The course is challenging, with a steep climb up Heartbreak Hill in Double Bay. The entry fee is $70 for adults and $35 for children. The race attracts approximately 80,000 runners each year.
Sydney Harbour Run is a 21km half marathon around Sydney Harbour. The race is held in October and starts at the Sydney Opera House and finishes at Barangaroo. The course is flat and scenic and is suitable for beginners and experienced runners. The entry fee is $85 for adults and $45 for children. The race attracts approximately 10,000 runners each year.
Bondi to Coogee Run is a 14km run from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. The race is held in November and follows the coastal walk. The course is challenging, with several hills and stairs. The entry fee is $60 for adults and $30 for children. The race attracts approximately 5,000 runners each year.
If you are new to half marathons, you should follow a training plan to prepare for the race. The following are some training tips:
Build up your mileage gradually. Start with short runs and gradually increase the distance. A good rule of thumb is to increase your weekly mileage by no more than 10 percent.
Include speed work. Include speed work in your training, such as interval training and tempo runs. Speed work improves your running efficiency and helps you to run faster.
Include long runs. Include a long run once a week to build your endurance. The long run should be slower than your race pace and should gradually increase in distance.
Rest and recover. Rest is an important part of training. Include rest days in your training plan and listen to your body. If you feel tired or sore, take a rest day.
On race day, arrive early to collect your race bib and to warm up. Most races have a bag drop where you can store your belongings. The race usually starts with a warm-up and a briefing from the race director. The race starts with a wave start, where runners are grouped by expected finish time.
During the race, there are water stations every 2km. Some races also have energy gels and snacks available. The finish line usually has a medal, a finisher's bag, and a recovery area.
After the race, cool down with a slow walk or jog. Stretch your muscles and drink plenty of water. Most races have a post-race festival with food, drinks, and entertainment.
The entry fee for a half marathon in Sydney is typically $60 to $90. Some races offer charity places, where you can run for a charity and raise money for a good cause. Charity places usually have a minimum fundraising target of $200 to $500.
If you cannot afford the entry fee, you can volunteer at the race. Most races offer free entry for volunteers. Volunteering is a good way to experience the race without running.
More information about half marathons in Sydney is available at Running Calendar and Parkrun.
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