Sydney Marathon is the 7th Abbott World Marathon Major | Abbott Newsroom

Stone was alluding to the Six Star Medal, that highly coveted prize in the world of marathoning. Only runners who finish the first six AWMM races receive that prize — a tradition that will continue even with the addition of Sydney.

At the same time, Australia opens up an exciting new frontier for ambitious distance runners. It represents the start of a journey to a Nine Star Medal.

Two other marathons — in Cape Town, South Africa, and Shanghai, China — are candidates to become Abbott World Marathon Majors races. That could happen as early as 2026 and 2027 if they pass the formal two-year assessment, as Sydney just did.

Next year’s Sydney Marathon will count as a star for runners who complete it, so the path to Nine is ready and waiting. The new collectible range of coins that celebrate each race, along with frames to proudly display them, are available to runners to mark every star, from one to seven.

The bottom line is that, starting next year in the Land Down Under, runners will have “more milestones to celebrate down the road,” said Chris Miller, Divisional Vice President of Brand Strategy and Innovation at Abbott.

All in the name of running their best races and living their healthiest lives.