Ethiopian runner Addisu Gobena and Kenyan world champion Peres Jepchirchir secured commanding victories at the Sydney Marathon on August 30, according to Agence France-Presse. The event drew a record field of approximately 40,000 runners competing across the 42.19-kilometre course.
Addisu Gobena Smashes Men’s Course Record
Addisu Gobena claimed his first World Marathon Major title in the men’s race, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 42 seconds, as reported by Agence France-Presse. The 21-year-old made his decisive move in the final kilometre to finish four seconds ahead of compatriot Chimdessa Debele Gudeta, while Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana placed third. According to Agence France-Presse, the winning time shattered the previous course record by nearly 90 seconds. Gobena stated that he learned from mistakes made during the 2025 race, where he finished in second place.
Peres Jepchirchir Dominates Women’s Field
In the women’s division, Peres Jepchirchir finished in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 31 seconds—a time Agence France-Presse noted was just nine seconds off the course record set by Sifan Hassan in 2025. Jepchirchir crossed the finish line in front of the Sydney Opera House nearly four minutes ahead of runner-up Irine Cheptai of Kenya and third-place finisher Shure Demise Ware of Ethiopia. Jepchirchir told Agence France-Presse that the course presented significant challenges, describing the first half as very tough and hilly before conditions improved.
Course History and Elite Field Dynamics
The Sydney Marathon achieved official status as the seventh World Marathon Major in 2025, joining established races in London, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. The men’s leading pack remained dense through the halfway mark with 15 runners before successive breakaways whittled the group down to seven athletes with six kilometres remaining. In the women’s race, fellow Kenyan Priscah Cherono built an early lead of 30 seconds by the halfway point before Jepchirchir and Cheptai reeled her in just before the 30-kilometre mark. In the wheelchair divisions, American Daniel Romanchuk won the men’s race, and Switzerland’s Manuela Schar secured victory in the women’s event, according to Agence France-Presse.
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