The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Marathon Tours & Travels (MTT) Age Group World Championships breaks new ground this weekend when it takes place within TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS on Sunday, September 15.
Sydney will be the first city outside the Six AbbottWMM Races to host the championship as it goes in search of its second successful evaluation in its bid to join the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
Now in their fourth edition, the Championships have become a highlight of the global road running calendar for athletes aged 40 and above. This year’s event will feature almost 1,800 of the world's top age group runners, who qualified through over 350 races across six continents during the 2023 season.
Divided into nine age categories, from 40 to 90 years old, these athletes represent the pinnacle of age group marathon racing.
“This is the first time we have awarded the AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships to a race outside the Majors, and we have been blown away by the investment of time and resources from the Sydney team to deliver an incredible experience for our qualifiers,” said Dawna Stone, CEO of Abbott World Marathon Majors.
“Every detail has been thought through, our two teams have worked seamlessly together in the planning and we are excited to see the best age group athletes in the world run to become world champions in this incredible city on Sunday.”
"Notably, 2024 marks the first time that women outnumber men in the AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships, with a gender split of 53.4% women and 46.5% men."
This year’s race features seasoned runners from across the globe, including the three most senior competitors, 90-year–old Koichi Kitabatake and 85-year-old Yoshitaka Kamata from Japan, as well as the oldest female competitor Elizabeth Borrett from Canada.
Notably, 2024 marks the first time that women outnumber men in the AbbottWMM MTT Age Group World Championships, with a gender split of 53.4% women and 46.5% men.
The host nation also has 126 Australian athletes participating in this year’s Championships. Among them is reigning 55-59 Age Group Champion, Jill Wilkie from Bendigo in Victoria.
Wilkie secured her title by running the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in an impressive 2:57:16. She now returns to the global stage, aiming to defend
her crown and further establish her dominance in the 55-59 category.
Read an interview with Jill here.
"Being the first city outside of the Six Abbott World Marathon Majors to host the Marathon Tours & Travels Age Group World Championships is a testament to Sydney’s growing global recognition,” said Wayne Larden, Race Director, TCS Sydney Marathon.
“As we enter our final year of candidacy to become the seventh Major, we’re excited to welcome the world’s best age group athletes and showcase our iconic marathon course.”
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