Eliud Kipchoge © Abbott WMMajors
Eliud Kipchoge © Abbott WMMajors

Sydney Marathon: Kiros sets race record as Kipchoge misses podium

Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 31.08.25. | 09:11

In the men’s race, Kiros delivered the fastest marathon ever run on Australian soil, clocking 2:06:06 to edge compatriot Addisu Gobena by just 10 seconds

Marathon great Eliud Kipchoge endured a rare off day as Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros and Dutch star Sifan Hassan claimed victory in the Sydney Marathon, in the first edition to join the World Marathon Majors Series.

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Hassan, the Dutch multi-distance sensation, shattered the women’s course record with a commanding 2:18:22, slashing more than three minutes off the previous mark.

In the men’s race, Kiros delivered the fastest marathon ever run on Australian soil, clocking 2:06:06 to edge compatriot Addisu Gobena by just 10 seconds.

His performance erased the previous course best set last year by Kenya’s Brimin Kipkorir, who is currently provisionally suspended after a positive doping test.

Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana completed the podium, while Kipchoge faded to ninth in 2:08:31.

The last five kilometers, I’m dead,” Hassan admitted after her victory.

It’s the first major marathon in Australia, in Sydney, and I’m the first one to win, so it’s big history for me. I felt so good in the first 5Ks, and I think I pushed too hard. I pushed really hard the last 10Ks. I was like, ‘That’s not really smart. I’m going to pay the price,’ but I feel I got away with it. I’m so grateful.”

Hassan’s relentless pace dismantled a world-class women’s field.

Kenyan Brigid Kosgei, the former world record holder, finished second, 34 seconds behind, while last year’s champion, Workenesh Edesa of Ethiopia, settled for third in 2:22:05, her course record of 2:21:40 now obliterated.

Among the Australians, Leanne Pompeani impressed with a personal-best 2:24:47 for seventh, while Olympians Jess Stenson and Lisa Weightman followed in eighth and ninth.

For Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time, it was a day of resilience rather than supremacy.

The 40-year-old dropped from the leading pack after the 31-kilometer mark and never recovered.

“I’m happy to go across the finish line. I have nothing to prove,” Kipchoge said. “My mission is to bring all the people together. Let us surpass 55,000 [from 35,000] next year to run here. It’s a beautiful course. It’s a course whereby there is no other in this world.

Australia’s top male finisher was Melburnian Haftu Strintzos, who placed 14th in 2:11:27, ahead of Thomas Do Canto (16th) and former national record holder Brett Robinson (17th, 2:15:00).


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