Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros triumphed in the Sydney Marathon, setting new course records as the event debuted on the World Marathon Majors circuit.
Hassan, showcasing her remarkable prowess, completed the race at Sydney’s iconic Opera House in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 22 seconds. She finished comfortably ahead of Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, a former world record holder, with last year’s winner, Workenesh Edesa, coming in third.
In the men’s competition, Kiros made a decisive move at the 30-kilometer mark, breaking away from the pack with fellow Ethiopian Addisu Gobena. Kiros sprinted to victory with a time of 2:06:06, leaving Gobena in second place, while Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana rounded out the podium.
Celebrated marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, who turned 40 last year, could not keep up with the leading duo and concluded the race in ninth place with a time of 2:08:31.
The marathon unfolded under Sydney’s clear skies and cool weather, aligning the city with the likes of New York, London, and Tokyo as part of the prestigious elite marathon series. Ramakongoana initially led the runners across the famous Harbour Bridge but soon joined a closely packed group of contenders.
Speaking after his victory, Kiros reflected on the intense competition. “The competition was very tough, this was a strong field,” he said. “But we worked together as partners and now we’re here.”
Hassan shared her experience of the race, acknowledging the challenge of pacing herself. “In the last 10 kilometers I was thinking ‘Oh God, please I don’t want any drama, I just want a normal finish’,” she admitted. “I pushed too hard at the start and learned my lesson.”
Her achievement marked her fourth marathon win in six attempts, including a victory at the Paris Olympics the previous year. The Sydney Marathon’s new layout allowed both Hassan and Kiros to set records, surpassing the previous winning times of 2:21:41 and 2:06:18, respectively, from the 2024 event.
Kipchoge, a legend with two Olympic gold medals and 11 major marathon victories, noted the significance of his participation. “It was not my day today,” he said. “Above all, I have crossed the finish line to empower the people of Australia. To make Australia a running nation.”
