Sydney Marathon Sees Record-Breaking Performances and Debut in World Majors Series

Ethiopian athlete Hailemaryam Kiros Kebedew achieved a significant victory at the Sydney Marathon, setting a new course record for the 42.2-kilometer race in Australia. His impressive time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 6 seconds surpassed the previous record by 12 seconds, which was set the previous year.

The women's race saw Dutch middle-distance runner Sifan Hassan break the course record, finishing in 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 15 seconds. The event drew an estimated 35,000 participants, and this year's marathon marked Sydney's inaugural event as part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series.

The race commenced at 6:30 am under clear skies, with thousands of runners navigating the 42-kilometer course. The route stretched from Miller Street in North Sydney to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Wheelchair athletes were the first to cross the finish line.

The first female athlete to complete the race was US Paralympian Susannah Scaroni. Thousands of spectators gathered at the Opera House to witness the runners cross the finish line. The event also featured prominent athletes, including Kenyan runner and Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, alongside a host of elite competitors from Australia and around the world.

The Sydney Marathon race director, Wayne Larden, highlighted the high caliber of athletes participating. In November 2024, the Sydney Marathon was added to the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, becoming the seventh city to join the prestigious circuit. Sydney is the first city in the southern hemisphere to be included. The marathon has raised over $25 million since its inception in 2000.