Credited from: REUTERS
Ethiopia's Addisu Gobena achieved a stunning victory at the Sydney Marathon, breaking the course record with a time of two hours, four minutes, and 42 seconds. His performance eclipsed the former record of 2:06:06, demonstrating notable improvement from his runner-up finish last year. “I am very happy,” Gobena remarked after his win, expressing pride in his preparation that led to this remarkable feat. He outpaced compatriot Chimdessa Debele Gudeta in the final sprint, contributing to a highly competitive race, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Al Jazeera.
In the women's division, Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir showcased her prowess, securing the title with a time of 2:18:31. This victory marked a significant addition to her already impressive repertoire, which includes wins in prestigious marathons such as Boston, New York, and London. Jepchirchir expressed her delight, commenting, “I was prepared, but I was not sure when I came here if I would win.” She completed the race nearly four minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Irine Cheptai, indicating a dominant performance, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Al Jazeera.
This year's Sydney Marathon saw a record participation of approximately 40,000 runners, highlighting the event's growing popularity and status as the seventh World Marathon Major. From its scenic route across the Harbour Bridge to the iconic finish line at the Opera House, the race has established itself as a premier fixture in the global marathon calendar. The elevation of the race to a World Marathon Major last year underscores its significance in the elite running community, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Al Jazeera.