TCS Sydney Marathon Sees 35,000 As Hassan and Kiros Break Australian Records

Sydney has stamped itself firmly on the global running map, with Sunday’s marathon drawing a record 35,000 participants and producing the fastest times ever seen on Australian soil.

The event marked Sydney’s debut as the world’s seventh major marathon, joining the likes of New York, London and more major cities.

Sydney marks a historic first for Australia as 35,000 runners take over

Runners from across the globe converged on the city, vying for a place in a race that saw 79,000 applications for only 35,000 spots.

For context, only 5000 people lined up as recently as 2021.

Anticipation was high heading into race day, with Olympic legends Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan among the headline names.

Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros and Workenesh Edesa were tipped to defend previous records, while Australians Brett Robinson, Tom Do Canto, Sam Clifford, Jessica Stenson, Lisa Weightman and Leanne Pompeani led the local charge.

By the end, the Sydney Marathon delivered on every promise, and then some.

Kiros and Hassan claim record-breaking wins in Sydney Marathon

Hailemaryam Kiros crossed the finish line at the Opera House in 2:06:06, setting a new national record all-comer record.

He beat his compatriot Addisu Gobena by just 10 seconds, shaving more than a minute off the previous mark set last year.

Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana took third.

In the women’s race, Dutch superstar Sifan Hassan reinforced her reputation as one of the world’s greatest distance runners.

She blitzed the field in 2:18:22, smashing the Australian all-comers record by more than three minutes.

Sydney’s course, with its Harbour Bridge start and punishing uphill stretch to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, is regarded as one of the toughest among the majors.

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei finished second, while Workenesh Edesa, last year’s champion, took third.

Hassan admitted she felt the course’s toughness late in the race. “The last five kilometres, I’m dead,” she said. “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.”

Kipchoge, now 40, could not keep up with the leaders and finished ninth in 2:08:31, but was upbeat. “I have nothing to prove,” he said. “My mission is to bring people together. Let us surpass 55,000 next year to run here. It’s a beautiful course—like no other in the world.”

Leanne Pompeani from Canberra set a personal best to place seventh in 2:24:47, with compatriots Jess Stenson and Lisa Weightman also cracking the women’s top 10.

In the men’s field, Melburnian Haftu Strintzos was the best local, finishing 14th in 2:11:27.

Records also tumbled in the wheelchair divisions.

Swiss Paralympian Marcel Hug obliterated Kurt Fearnley’s long-standing record, winning in 1:27:15, 10 minutes faster than the previous record.

As for the women’s category, America’s Susannah Scaroni dominated in 1:45:52, past Madison De Rozario’s 2024 mark by nine minutes.

Beyond the elites, tens of thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors laced up for a landmark-filled course, from the Harbour Bridge to the Opera House, and truly tested runners.

The marathon also brought much of the city to a standstill, with closures from North Sydney through Moore Park until late afternoon, while the Cross City Tunnel currently remains toll-free.