January 19th, 2024. I was at my desk, caught in the mundane rhythm of a typical winter’s day, longing for the warmer training months to arrive. Like many, the January blues had settled in, but I was deep in my work when a mobile notification interrupted. An email. From Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Thinking it was something about my upcoming London Marathon, I didn’t expect much, but curiosity got the better of me. Little did I know that this email would change everything.
I opened it up, and there it was—Abbott World Marathon Majors – Age Group World Championships, Sydney 2024. A bold header stared back at me, and underneath was an image of the iconic Sydney Opera House. The subject line read:
“Hi Leigh, Sydney awaits!”
I read on, still not fully grasping what was unfolding. Congratulations! Your performance at the 2023 Yorkshire Marathon has secured you an invite to the 2024 Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships within the 2024 Sydney Marathon.
I sat there for a moment, completely floored. Was this real? Could it be? I immediately messaged coach, Mark (Mr Nettleton), with a screenshot, asking if he knew anything about it. He didn’t. But slowly, it sank in—this was legit.
By January 31st, the official entry link landed in my inbox, giving me just 14 days to fully accept and commit. Well, it didn’t take me long. When you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this, you don’t hesitate. I was all in.
Preparing for Sydney: A Whole New Challenge
Once the excitement settled and the London Marathon prep was behind me (complete with a rollercoaster of illness and a nagging calf injury), I turned my focus to Sydney. I was no stranger to marathon training, but the Sydney Marathon would be a different beast. I dove into researching: climate, time zones, travel logistics, and—of course—the course profile.
Sydney in mid-September? Thankfully, it looked like similar temperatures to the UK, so no need to worry about heat acclimation. The time difference though—9 hours ahead—meant I’d need to arrive several days before to shake off the jetlag. And the course? That was going to be a challenge: three times the elevation gain of any marathon I’d done before! Not to mention that it takes you over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, through the heart of the city, and finishes in front of the Sydney Opera House. This was going to be epic, but it also meant I had to adapt my usual training block to prepare for those climbs.
I crafted a 12-week training block to prepare for the elevation while maintaining as much of my marathon pace as possible. As the weeks flew by, it was finally time to jet off to Australia.
Race Week: From Sightseeing to Parkrun Tourism
After arriving in Sydney and settling in, Thursday brought the marathon expo. It was my first experience as an Age Group World Championship competitor, and that came with its perks—an express queue for bib collection, two bibs (one for the front and a rear bib with my age group, surname, and Union Jack flag), and a name wall featuring all the age group competitors. Seeing my name up there with “GBR” next to it was surreal. A moment of pride, mixed with the weight of representing not just myself, but my country.
Friday was for sightseeing, and come Saturday, I found myself itching for a bit of Parkrun tourism. Centennial Park seemed to be the go-to choice, and sure enough, at 7 a.m., it was packed with runners, many of whom were clearly also here for the marathon. I ran a relaxed first mile, picked up the pace for mile two, and then let loose for the final mile. I overheard some parkrun volunteers asking where “Barton Athletics Club” was—“UK mate, come join us!” I chuckled to myself, knowing the big race was just a day away.
Race Day: Sydney Marathon 2024 – The Big One
Race morning started early—3:15 a.m. to be exact. Coffee in hand and nerves on edge, I made my way to the elite and age groupers’ bag drop at North Sydney Oval. The pre-dawn cold felt similar to the London Marathon morning I’d spent shivering before the race earlier in the year, so I was eager to get my warm-up routine going to shake off the chills.
By 5:30 a.m., we were escorted to our dedicated corral right behind the elites. Barton vest on display, heart racing, it was showtime.
6:00 a.m.—the gun went off. The Sydney Marathon had begun! The first 800 meters plunged downhill before we hit a long, gradual climb up to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. My quads were already talking to me, but I reminded myself—this was just the start.
The course then wove through the city, offering incredible views of Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, and the towering spires of St. Mary’s Cathedral. The atmosphere was electric—the streets lined with supporters, the city bathed in a golden sunrise. But soon, the first of the challenging climbs loomed ahead: Oxford Street, snaking its way into Surry Hills. The climb was tough, spanning nearly two miles, but the views and the energy of the crowd kept me going.
By now, the headwinds had picked up—gusts of up to 40mph, just as forecasted. As I entered Centennial Park, the course’s crown jewel, the scenery was breath-taking, but my pace was starting to take a hit. I pushed through, knowing the toughest sections were behind me.
The final 10k was a mental battle—rolling hills, tight turns, and the notorious climb out of Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair. My left hamstring cramped, but I was so close to the finish that sheer determination took over. Cresting the final hill, I caught a glimpse of the Sydney Opera House. The finish line was in sight. The crowd’s roar grew louder as I made the final push down the hill, and with a burst of energy, I sprinted past some of my fellow age groupers to the finish line.
I had done it. After 26.2 miles of sweat, hills, and headwinds, I crossed the finish line of the Sydney Marathon, representing Barton AC and GBR in the Age Group World Championships. Two medals hung around my neck—one for the marathon, and one for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships. Plus of course a provisional World Marathon Majors star.
My Six Star journey continues!
