The TCS Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS, has achieved a historic milestone by being recognized as an Abbott World Marathon Major (AWMM). This prestigious status places Sydney alongside iconic marathon cities like Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo. With this addition, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) now sponsors five of the seven World Marathon Majors, underscoring its influence and leadership in the global marathon space.
Wayne Larden, CEO of Pont3 and Race Director for the TCS Sydney Marathon, expressed his excitement, noting, “We set out to create history together and take the TCS Sydney Marathon to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and now we have achieved this incredible milestone through an enormous amount of work by the Pont3 team and our partners.” Larden highlighted the transformative impact of the event’s new status, including increased participation from both international and interstate runners, which is expected to enhance Sydney’s economic impact through tourism and community engagement. Additionally, he pointed out that the elevation to Major status will enable increased charitable contributions, helping the marathon to support a range of important causes.
The TCS Sydney Marathon’s inclusion among the Abbott World Marathon Majors not only offers participants the chance to compete in one of the world’s most elite running series but also brings global recognition and credibility to the event. Abhinav Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer at TCS, emphasized the significance of this achievement, calling it “a historic moment not just for the TCS Sydney Marathon, and Australia, but for the global running community at large.” He noted that this is only the second time since 2006, when the majors were founded, that a race has been elevated to this status, with Tokyo being the last addition in 2013. TCS was a key supporter of Sydney’s candidacy for the Major title, and its commitment to the event as the title partner has helped turn this dream into reality.
As part of its long-standing commitment to the running community, TCS’s portfolio of marathon sponsorships spans 14 global events across four continents, reaching over 600,000 participants each year. In addition to the TCS Sydney Marathon, TCS sponsors other major marathons such as the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon, and plays a partnership role in the Boston and Chicago marathons. TCS has been instrumental in enhancing the runner experience through technology-driven solutions, engaging spectators and runners alike, and facilitating over $130 million in charitable contributions worldwide.
With more than 35 years of presence in Australia, TCS serves as a digital partner to numerous ASX-listed companies, further supporting its commitment to the region. The TCS Sydney Marathon’s new status will not only enhance Sydney’s reputation as a premier marathon destination but also promote community health, wellness, and tourism, creating lasting impacts on both the local and global running community.
