Kenyan trio confirmed for 2023 Sydney Marathon

Three Kenyans - Judith Korir, Angela Tanui and Moses Kibet - have been named on the official list of elite runners set to feature in the 2023 Sydney Marathon set for Sunday 17 September 2023.

The trio were some of the standout names named by the race organizers and director on Tuesday, in an event that also announced the participation of the defending men’s world champion Tamirat Tola, dubbing the entire field as ‘the fastest and most decorated elite field in the Sydney Marathon’s history.’

In its second year as a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a new route will be used, one that will see the participants take in some of the most historic landmarks in Australia's biggest city, including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

The race will start at Bradfield Park in Milsons Point and finish at the Opera House forecourt.

Defending champion Moses Kibet, the current record holder for the fastest marathon time ever run in Australia, will face stiff competition in Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay - the man with the fastest personal best time (2:03:00) - and who placed 2nd at the 2023 Boston Marathon.

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The obvious headline will be the aforementioned Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia), who has a personal best time of 2:03:39.

In the women’s side, 2021 Amsterdam marathon champion Angela Tanui (2:17: 57) will be the fastest of the field that will see her compatriot Judith Korir - a World Athletics Championships silver medalist - make her debut in the Australian streets, coming her personal best time of 2:18:20.

The women’s field will also feature a number of runners who have recorded times under 2:23:00 including; Nazret Weldu of Eritrea and Haven Hailu of Ethiopia.

“We are thrilled to have assembled such a high caliber field for this year’s Sydney Marathon, as we head into our second year as a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors,” race director Wayne Larden said in a statement.

“The presence of these exceptional runners is a testament to the event’s status as a world-class marathon for elite athletes, running enthusiasts and recreational runners alike."

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The Sydney Marathon is a participation legacy project from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, when the marathon course started in North Sydney, and passed some of the city's landmarks before finishing at the Olympic Park.

The Opera House was also the backdrop for the Olympic triathlon events in 2000.