Kevin Morris

The Sydney Marathon’s first appearance as part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors delivered fireworks on Sunday, with both the men’s and women’s winners delivering record-breaking results.

Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros claimed the men’s crown in 2:06:06, while Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands stormed to victory in 2:18:22, lowering the women’s mark by more than three minutes.

Hassan in Command

Hassan ran with the lead pack through halfway in 1:10:01 before gradually taking control of the race, as reported by Olympics.com.

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, the former world record holder, tried to stretch the group after 30km, but Hassan bided her time and made her decisive move after 35km.

She opened a gap that only grew as she pressed toward the Sydney Opera House finish.

Kosgei crossed second in 2:18:56, followed by defending champion Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa in 2:22:15.

Hassan, who has now won four of her six career marathons—including London and Chicago in 2023 and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024—said afterward, “I pushed so hard to the finish.

I started too hard and I learned my lesson—I am so happy to run a course record and win.”

Kiros breaks away late

In the men’s race, a deep field that included 40-year-old legend Eliud Kipchoge stayed together through 30km.

Young Ethiopian Addisu Gobena then surged, stringing out the group.

Kiros stayed patient, reeling him in by 40km and then pulling clear on one of the course’s late hills.

He never looked back, crossing in 2:06:06—well under the previous course record.

Gobena followed just 10 seconds behind in 2:06:16, with Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana third in 2:06:47.

Kiros, who finished fourth in Tokyo and fifth in Berlin last year, earned his first World Marathon Majors victory.

“The competition was very tough,” he said at the finish. “They are strong fields, but we worked together and now we are here.”

Kipchoge still a fan favourite

Two-time Olympic champion Kipchoge, running his 23rd career marathon, began to fade after 33km.

He held on for ninth in 2:08:31, well outside the podium but still greeted warmly by the crowd.

Afterward, he told reporters, “It was not my day today.

Above all, I have crossed the finish line to empower the people of Australia. To make Australia a running nation.”