Addisu Gobena won the men's Sydney Marathon on August 30, recording a course record time of 2:04:42, shaving about 90 seconds off the previous record set last year by Hailemaryam Kiros at 2:06:06 [1, 2, 3]. Gobena and compatriot Chimdessa Debele Gudeta broke away from the lead pack in the final two kilometers, with Gobena finishing four seconds ahead [1, 2, 3]. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana took third place with approximately 2:04:57 [1, 2, 3]. The top seven male finishers all posted times faster than last year's record, while defending champion Kiros fell off the pace [1, 3].
Gobena, a former javelin thrower who transitioned to long-distance running in 2023, earned wide attention after winning the 2024 Dubai Marathon [1, 2, 3]. "Last year I came second, I learnt from my mistake and I went back home and I worked on my mistake to perform and break the record today," Gobena said after the race [1, 2, 3].
In the women's race, Peres Jepchirchir claimed victory in 2:18:31, marking her fourth World Marathon Major title [1, 2, 3]. She won by more than three minutes over runner-up Kenyans Irene Chepet Cheptai [1, 3]. "I was prepared, but I was not sure when I came here if I would win, so I’m so glad and I’m so happy," Jepchirchir said, noting the hilly course challenged runners especially in the first half [3].
The Sydney Marathon held its second year as a World Marathon Major, joining the ranks of New York, London, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo, and Chicago [1]. About 40,000 runners participated across events [1]. In the men's wheelchair race, Daniel Romanchuk of the USA set a course record of 1:26:50 [1].
A medal design error marred the event as the medals mistakenly depicted Munich’s Allianz Arena instead of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium [1].
The next Sydney Marathon is scheduled for 2027, continuing its status among the major international marathons.
