SYDNEY, Australia — Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and Hailemaryam Kiros shattered course records on Sunday in a historic Sydney Marathon, the first to be held as one of the elite World Marathon Majors.
Hassan’s Unstoppable Performance
Dutch multi-distance superstar Sifan Hassan was utterly dominant in the women’s race, clocking a blistering 2:18:22 to not only win but also obliterate the previous course record by more than three minutes. Kenya’s former world record holder Brigid Kosgei finished second in a time of 2:18:56, while last year’s winner, Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa, came in third.
Hassan, who chose to prioritize Sydney over the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, admitted she almost misjudged her race. The women’s race narrowed to five leaders before Hassan opened a commanding 40-second gap after the 35km mark.
Kiros Sets a New Men’s Mark
Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros mirrored Hassan’s feat, also producing a new course record time of 2:06:06 in the men’s race. He crossed the finish line at the Sydney Opera House 10 seconds clear of his fellow Ethiopian, Addisu Gobena, a rising star aged just 20. Kiros’s time shaved more than 10 seconds off the previous record set by Kenya’s Brimin Misoi.
Kipchoge Finishes Off the Pace
Arguably the greatest men’s marathon runner of all time, Eliud Kipchoge, failed in his bid to clinch a 12th marathon major, finishing a distant ninth. The 40-year-old was with the large lead group at halfway but was dropped as the runners approached the 32km mark. Despite being off the pace, Kipchoge received the biggest cheer when he crossed the finish line.
The men’s and women’s wheelchair races were won by Switzerland’s Marcel Hug and American Susannah Scaroni, respectively. A record 35,000 runners competed on the picturesque 42.19 kilometer course, which was elevated this year to join the ranks of the world’s most prestigious marathons.
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