The organisers of the Sydney Marathon have acknowledged that the runners taking part in the event next week will receive a medal that features a football stadium in Germany.

The Marathon bosses, in a social media post, admitted the "unfortunate error" in the medal before laughing it off, saying, "we are not going to run from it".

The two-sided medal is engraved with a Sydney skyline, which shows landmarks such as the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and wild card entry - the Allianz Arena in Munich.

It displays the German arena’s distinctive shape and diamond-patterned exterior, rather than the flatter architectural features of Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

The organisers, in a statement on Sunday, said: "You may also be aware that a little too much international flavour has found its way onto the back of the finishers' medal, with an incorrect depiction of the stadium."

"We're not going to run from it, it was an unfortunate error, though it's certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humour."

The finishers will receive the same medal, which, according to the organisers, was "now a little more unique".

The Allianz Arena also joked at the mistake, writing: "Oh wow, we didn't have that on our bingo card!"

"Perhaps they tried to find something else they had in common: Allianz Arena -- Sydney Opera -- Unique Architecture -- Both are worth a visit," the post on Instagram read.

The medal’s front side carries an indigo-and-gold design by First Nations artist Ambrose Killian. It represents the distance covered and symbolising the eight global major marathons. Mr Killian revealed that he was not involved in the creation of the Sydney skyline.

"My artwork and creative contribution to this year's medal was specifically for the lanyard and the front side of the medal only," he said.

"I had no involvement in the design or production of the reverse side of the medal, including the incorrect inclusion of Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, rather than Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

"I take my work very seriously and would like to reiterate that my artwork story, importance and originality remains," he added.

Marathon organisers estimate that a record of more than 40,000 people will participate and receive the medal as a "badge of honour" for completing the 42.2km marathon.

"Behind every one of these medals is months of early mornings, long runs and quiet determination, and having it placed around your neck at the Sydney Opera House is a moment our participants will never forget," the organisers said.