15 September 2023
By James Mullan
40,000 runners from 66 countries are set to descend on Bradfield Park this Sunday for the Sydney Marathon. The run has been held since 2000, offering four events including the 3.5KM family run, 10km, 21.1km and the 42km marathon.
Runners are expected to start gathering as early as 5:15AM with the first run starting at 5:45AM. Locals and participants should expect major road closures with sections of Alfred Street South, Olympic Drive, Fitzroy Street, Lavender Street and Broughton Street. With Milsons Point as the starting line, locals should expect massive crowds on Alfred Street South from 4am to 10am. Vehicles can continue to exit the area during this time via Lavender Street westbound under traffic control.
Every run finishes at the Opera House with the longer events passing through Darling Harbour, Pyrmont, Oxford St and Centennial Park.
There have been some concerns about air quality due to recent bushfire burn offs. Sydney Marathon race director Wayne Larden met with the Rural Fire Service and said: “Their modelling is showing the air quality will improve dramatically by Friday and Saturday, and be relatively good on Sunday. So from an air quality perspective, it is looking good.” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. On Friday the Air Quality Index for North Sydney was moderate, registering 90/200. Whereas at the peak of the smoke haze this week on Thursday the index was 174/200.
The 31 degree heat forecast for Sunday may also cause trouble for participants so organisers have included more water and medical stations along the routes.
