Former javelin thrower Addisu Gobena has produced a remarkable win in the men's Sydney Marathon, breaking the course record by more than a minute and a half.
Gobena switched to distance running in 2023 and has since wasted little time, notably finishing runner-up at the 2025 edition of the Sydney Marathon.
The Ethiopian went one better on Sunday in ideal conditions, mastering the hilly harbourside course in a time of two hours four minutes and 42 seconds.
Gobena's time comfortably eclipsed the mark of compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros, who set the previous Sydney Marathon record of 2:06.06 in 2025
Sunday's top seven finishers, including sixth-placed Kiros (2:05.16), all beat the previous record he set last year.
Andy Buchanan pocketed $30,000 as the top-ranked Australian, finishing 16th overall in 2:10.14 to grab the cash bonus ahead of Tim Vincent (2:13.54).
Gobena and Chimdessa Debele, who finished second in a time of 2:04.46, broke away from the lead pack of six runners inside the final two kilometres.
Gobena then surged ahead on the downhill finish to the Sydney Opera House to win by four seconds, celebrating by punching the air after crossing the finish line.
"I am very happy. Last year I came second, I learnt from my mistake," the 21-year-old said through an interpreter.
"I went back home and I worked on my mistake to perform and break the record."
Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana was third in 2:04.57.
In the women's race, Peres Jepchirchir broke the field early and raced away to win by more than three minutes while claiming her fourth marathon major.
Jepchirchir crossed the line in a time of 2:18.31, nine seconds behind Dutch multi-distance star Sidan Hassan's mark set in last year's event.
The Kenyan has now added the Sydney title to her wins in Boston, New York and London.
Compatriot Irene Cheptai was second in 2:22.11, with Shure Demise Ware of Ethiopia another 22 seconds behind in third.
Ellie Pashley's time of 2:28.28 made her the fastest Australian finisher in the women's race.
In the wheelchair races, Daniel Romanchuk of the United States (1:26.50) and Switzerland’s Manuela Schar (1:42.04) set course records to secure the respective men's and women's titles.
The Sydney Marathon attracted 40,000 competitors from around the world in what was the second year of it being upgraded to "major'' status, joining the sport's list of elite events that also includes New York, London and Tokyo.
with AP
