Published April 14, 2026
NYU Student Runners Take on the Sydney Marathon
Training for a race is a fantastic way to get to know a new city while studying away. Running by iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten-path destinations makes you feel like a local in no time. Just ask students Amber Chu, Henry Gonyea, and Olivia Baker, who were quick to hit the pavement upon arriving at NYU Sydney. One month into their stay, Amber and Henry ran the Sydney Marathon, while Olivia managed a personal record during the 10K.
Training in Sydney
After crossing the finish line at the 2024 New York City Marathon, Amber was ready for her next challenge. The Nutrition and Food Studies major also knew she wanted to spend her senior year studying away. “While deciding where to go, I saw that 2025 would be the first year the Sydney Marathon would become a World Major Marathon,” she says. “On a whim, I entered the lottery — fully assuming I wouldn’t get in. So when I opened the email saying I got a spot, I took it as a sign. It couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.”
For Olivia, a Chemistry major, the Sydney 10K was a chance to improve her time after a recent half-marathon. Plus, she says, “I thought it would be a great way to connect with the city and community here.”
Although training in Sydney started off on the rainy side, the city’s famous sunshine soon arrived. “Sydney became a runner’s playground, and my training runs started to feel like mini city tours,” says Amber. Runs featured sights like the iconic Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour, and the Royal Botanic Garden. “It’s an amazing city to run in. The ocean views along the beaches are pretty much unbeatable.”
Ready, Set, Race!
Race day dawned bright on the University of Sydney campus, where NYU Sydney students live. Training complete, Amber, Henry, and Olivia headed to the starting line. “The whole atmosphere was electric—the kind of energy you can feel buzzing in your chest,” says Amber. While running, she saw something completely unexpected: Eliud Kipchoge, the fastest man on Earth, gliding by. “It felt surreal to be sharing the same course with legendary athletes,” she says.
The marathon route took Amber and Henry over the Sydney Harbour Bridge before winding through areas including The Rocks, Centennial Park, and Hyde Park. They passed landmarks like the Sydney Football Stadium, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, and the Museum of Contemporary Art before finishing—26.2 miles later or about 42.2 kilometers—at the Sydney Opera House.
“I treated the marathon as a city tour on foot,” Amber says. “Every neighborhood felt new, and every kilometer felt like a little discovery.”
The NYU Sydney Community Shows Their Support
The NYU Sydney community went all-out to cheer on their new friends. Site staff organized a sign-making event, where students made signs with funny puns and words of encouragement to hold on the sidelines. “The NYU community was so supportive,” Olivia shares. “It was great to run by and see people supporting me.”
Amber agrees. “Seeing my NYU friends on race day, holding signs with my name on them, meant so much more than I expected,” she shares. “It was one of those moments where you really feel how far community support can carry you.”
After the race, the NYU Sydney cohort enjoyed food, drinks, and dessert while chatting and bonding at a barbecue to celebrate the runners. “It was my first time celebrating a race surrounded by so many friends,” says Amber. “It made the whole experience feel even more special.”
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