Choosing between Soweto Marathon and Sydney Marathon? This page puts the essentials side by side — next race date, elevation, typical weather, field size, and entry difficulty — with a short overview of each course below.
The headline differences between both races. Follow each marathon link for the full route map, elevation chart, and entry details.
| Detail | Soweto Marathon | Sydney Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 6:00 am | Sunday, 30 August 2026 at 6:30 am |
| Elevation | Rolling with gentle hills - approx. 1,767m above sea level. ↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m | Moderate hills including Harbour Bridge - approx. 58m above sea level. ↑ 262 m · ↓ 345 m · net −83 m |
| Typical weather | Mild spring | Mild winter |
| Typical participants | Approximately 35k finishers | Approximately 35k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Moderate | Very competitive |
The Soweto Marathon is one of Africa's largest marathons, drawing about 35,000 finishers each November through Johannesburg's historic Soweto township. The course passes the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Vilakazi Street (home of Mandela and Tutu), and FNB Stadium. November summer weather and powerful historical symbolism make it South Africa's most significant mass-participation marathon.
The Sydney Marathon offers one of the most scenic marathon courses in the world, crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with views of the Opera House and harbour. As the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, Sydney combines iconic landmarks with a challenging but rewarding course through Australia's largest city.
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