{"id":82577,"date":"2026-08-29T01:39:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T01:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/82577\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T01:39:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T01:39:27","slug":"truth-about-wild-5am-scene-ahead-of-sydney-marathon-seeing-it-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/82577\/","title":{"rendered":"Truth about wild 5am scene ahead of Sydney Marathon: ‘Seeing it more’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia’s obsession with running<\/a> reaches its pinnacle this weekend as 40,000 people \u2014 from elite endurance athletes to those who have barely trained \u2014 brave the Sydney Marathon.<\/a><\/p>\n

But after the starting gun goes off and the last runners filter over the start line<\/a> to embark on their 42km pilgrimage, many rip off their layers and leave them behind. Clothing is often piled over railings or lying on the ground.<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s prompted event organisers to beg participants to avoid doing this one thing.<\/p>\n

“Please don’t throw items on the ground,” Sydney Marathon has said on its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The request comes as charity workers brace for an incredible 70,000 items of clothing abandoned by competitors who shed their warm layers to start running.<\/p>\n

The scene may look alarming, seeing so much clothing abandoned, but there is good news. All items collected are expected to be donated to charity.<\/p>\n

It’s not just the world majors where this happens; similar scenes were seen just weeks ago at the City2Suf, with thousands of jumpers left discarded at the start line as runners ripped off the clothing used to keep them warm.<\/p>\n

Tara Meakins, who co-founded the popular Coogee Run Club in May 2022, told Yahoo News that she’s seen people doing it for as long as she can remember.<\/p>\n

“I’ve always seen it done at start lines. In saying that, running has grown in popularity with the expansion of run clubs, and that has led to more people entering races,” she explained.<\/p>\n

\"Runners<\/p>\n

40,000 runners are set to hit the pavement on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

(Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

“So we’re seeing more people looking for ways to keep warm while they’re in their start corrals, so I’m definitely seeing a lot of gear, it’s often quite impressive.”<\/p>\n

Who is picking up discarded clothing at Sydney marathon?<\/p>\n

Sydney Marathon told Yahoo News that they partner with Vinnies NSW and Red Nose to ensure that the jumpers do not go to waste.<\/p>\n

Runners are encouraged to drop their warm layers in the bins near the assembly area at the start line, and charity workers will also be in vans along the route to collect discarded warm layers.<\/p>\n

Alex Coles, Red Nose’s social enterprise director, said the team will have four vans positioned along the course to collect clothing left behind before and during the race.<\/p>\n

“We do not yet know exactly what volume to expect, but we are preparing for up to four full vans, which could amount to around four tonnes of clothing, including track pants, jumpers and tops.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

\"Runners<\/p>\n

Thousands of runners are expected to leave their layers at the start line.<\/p>\n

(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)How to support charity with clothing at Sydney marathon<\/p>\n

Tara explained that her run club encourages participants to buy an item from a charity store to leave behind, or use an item you already have and no longer want to keep.<\/p>\n

“We have to get up very early on race day. I need to be in North Sydney at 5a.m., so I’ve already bought a jacket from a local op shop, and I’ll be wearing that at the start line.<\/p>\n

“It brings me such a feeling of excitement for supporting those in need; it just adds to the excitement of running a marathon,” she said.<\/p>\n

\"Runners<\/p>\n

Running is growing in popularity across Australia.<\/p>\n

(Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)Donating clothes helps give a ‘second life’<\/p>\n

Vinnies added that by those donating the clothing rather than throwing it away, tonnes of “quality items” are diverted from landfill and given a “second life”.<\/p>\n

“The donations collected will be sold through Vinnies NSW’s network of retail shops and online via Vinnies Finds, helping to raise vital funds that support services and programs for people experiencing disadvantage across New South Wales,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

“The initiative also plays an important role in keeping assembly areas clean and respectful of the local environment.<\/p>\n

Red Nose will also sell the items, raising funds for Red Nose’s work supporting bereaved Australian families.<\/p>\n

“The marathon is also a fantastic opportunity to introduce more people across Sydney to Red Nose’s free clothing collection service and encourage runners and their families to think of Red Nose next time they have good-quality clothing they no longer need,” Coles said.<\/p>\n

Red Nose also has twelve runners participating in the marathon who have raised almost $19,000 for Red Nose.<\/p>\n

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