Overview
You don't rock up as a spectator to the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS to simply watch your mate or relative run past you briefly and then meet them at the finish line for a pat on the back. There's actually stacks of stuff to do along the entire route, from watching live music and DJ sets (think Young Franco, Tigerlily, The Potbelleez and Nina Las Vegas) to feasting at local bars and restaurants, and catching street-side drag queen performances.
Think of the TCS Sydney Marathon as an epic free festival that spans the entire 42-kilometre course – running from the North Shore, along Sydney Harbour Bridge and down to the finish line at the Sydney Opera House. To get the most out of it all, pick a few of the eight entertainment hubs to visit on Sunday, August 30, cheering on the runners while also dancing to electronic tunes and enjoying Sydney's world-famous views. Rooftop after-parties also abound for those wanting to celebrate well into the night.
Read on to find out how you can best take advantage of all that's on offer, making sure you also download the TCS Sydney Marathon app before the day arrives. With this in hand, you won't miss a thing.
Barangaroo House.
The Launchpad Party Zone (10km mark)
If you want to see the runners looking their finest – at only 10 kilometres into the race – be sure to pull up a pew at the Launchpad Party Zone at Barangaroo.
Grab a coffee and pastry from a Barangaroo café, find an ideal spot to cheer on the runners, and slowly ease into your big day in the city. Here, you'll find DJs, big screens showing runners across the course and an MC who'll keep you up to date with what's going on around you.
The Rocks Party Zone (11.9km mark)
On the corner of George Street and Alfred Street, you'll find The Rocks hub. It will be booming all day long thanks to the raised viewing platform that puts you right above the action, with brilliant views of the runners streaming past on the course below.
Wander the streets through the morning and early afternoon with a DJ spinning rock classics all day and an MC driving the crowd to the main attractions. You can also escape the crowds by grabbing a seat up at the Glenmore Hotel's rooftop dining area or The Oriana's Quayside bar and restaurant.
ASICS Party Zone (14km and 40.8km mark)
The official ASICS Party Zone is set up so spectators can see marathoners twice, without having to move around the course at all. That makes it ideal for those of you who want to do as little moving around as possible – leaving the running around for the racers themselves.
Expect to find a proper stadium atmosphere at the top end of Macquarie Street, plus an MC, DJs, big screen, grandstand and spectator services tent.
Pride Party (15.4km and 36.2km mark)
Girls, gays and theys are specially catered for at the colourful Pride Party hub, which takes over Taylor Square South for the entire day. Leading the party is resident drag king DJ Sexy Galaxi, with five drag queens sharing the mic across the day, serving nothing but queer anthems from start to finish.
Add grandstands and viewing platforms into the mix, and it's one of the best spots on the course. It's also a double-pass site, so you can cheer your runners on twice without ever leaving the queer party space. Once you're done with marathon watching and ready for a few drinks, you're spoilt for choice with nearby bars and local dining spots.
SCG Block Party (29km and 34.8km mark)
This is one of the marathon's primary party hubs, and hands-down the place to be if you love your live music and a big atmosphere. Set trackside on Driver Avenue in the shadow of the historic SCG, this is where a full-scale festival meets one of the best vantage points on the course, and every kind of spectator is welcome.
A festival stage built right into the SCG pumps the energy out to runners flying past in both directions, and to the crowd going off across Driver Avenue. Tigerlily, The Potbelleez, Nina Las Vegas, Set Mo and DJ James Mac are all taking to the decks, so the party doesn't let up all day. Plus, there's a bar with food and bevs to keep you going, and free cowbells to ring the runners home. Whether you're here for the beats, the runners or just the best atmosphere on the course, the Block Party is a must-stop spot.
Party in the Park (33.3km mark)
The 33-kilometre mark – known to marathon runners as 'The Wall' – is the part of the race where runners truly need the most motivation, and where spectators can make the biggest impact. So, if your mum, mate or partner is running the TCS Sydney Marathon, this is likely the place they'd most love to see your face and signs.
Harbour Party (39.2km mark)
No matter what you're doing on the day, you will need to visit the Harbour Party down at Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Right on the stunning harbourside headland, Anna Lunoe, Daft Punk tribute Discovery, Mashd N Kutcher and Northern Beaches local Alex Hayes will be playing sets right before Bag Raiders return to close out the marathon and push the runners to the finish line.
Grab some drinks from the licensed bar and spend a big day here with your mates – cheering on the runners or simply just revelling in the festival atmosphere with Harbour views all around you.
TCS Sydney Marathon After Party (Customs House in Circular Quay)
The TCS Sydney Marathon celebrations will end on a mighty big note (and more electronic tunes) thanks to local artist Young Franco, who will be headlining Motion Festival over at Customs House in Circular Quay. This free live gig should be on everyone's agenda for race day, with folks making sure all roads lead to Franco.
Want to keep the party going late into the night? Jackson's on George, Jimmy's Rooftop and Melbas are all hosting their own rooftop after parties for the TCS Sydney Marathon. Drop by for drinks specials, giveaways and live tunes late into the evening.
Tips for Getting Around on Race Day
With roads closed across the city on race day, planning your route between hubs can be part of the fun. The TCS Sydney Marathon app has spectators sorted with smart map technology that shows you exactly where each entertainment hub is, which spots are easiest to reach and how to move between them without missing a beat.
Map out your day in advance, from your first coffee stop to the last live set of the afternoon, so you can spend less time working out where to go and more time soaking up the atmosphere.
Download the official TCS Sydney Marathon App for all of your event day needs – making sure you get the most out of this free city-wide festival.
Images: Supplied