With laces tied and headphones in, records were broken on Sunday in a historic 2024 TCS Sydney Marathon.
Kenyan runner Brimin Misoi crossed the line at 2:06:18, breaking the record set last year by 45 seconds while in the women’s event Ethiopian champion Workenesh Gurmesa cut almost three minutes off the race record with a time of 2:21:41.
Third-placed runner Felix Kirwa from Ethiopia, who finished in a time of 2:08:18, said despite the slight difficulty in the altered course, he felt he ran well as he was just over two minutes off beating his personal best.
“[The new course] was very tough, very up and down and had some challenges,” he told Central News.
“But, I was still super happy with how I ran.”
A total of 25,000 runners (an increase from last year’s race, which was capped at 17,000) from 102 countries took to the newly developed course at 6am from the starting line in North Sydney. The route then crossed the Harbour Bridge, weaving through the CBD and down to Kingsford, before finishing in front of the Opera House.
Ethiopian runner Felix Kirwa, who finished third, was OK with the new course. Photo: San Ha.
Thousands of volunteers lined the course holding handmade banners and posters encouraging family and friends in the race.
Others held humorous placards and there were numerous demonstrators, including supporters of Palestine, who held up posters with bloody handprints.
Homemade signs, many humorous, lined the course. Photo: San Ha.
Australian Paralympic champion Madison de Rozario defended her first-place title from last year, with four-time Canadian Paralympian Josh Cassidy coming in first for the men.
Madison de Rozario wipes away tears as she crosses the finish line, the reigning women’s wheelchair champion. Photo: San Ha.
However, this year saw more than just records being broken and finish lines being crossed. It was an event with a more visible international presence.
Michael Vika travelled from Norway to support his wife Astrid, who has been running for decades and competed in the 60 to 64 age group, finishing the 42.2km stretch in 03:51:32.
“I am so excited to see her finally cross the finish line,” he said. “It took us 23 hours to get here, and it’s all worth it.”
Regular participants Carmen and Victor Donovic were instead spectating this year, as part of their training schedule to peak at next month’s Melbourne Marathon.
“We’ve got some friends running in today’s event, and we’re just here to support them,” they said.
“We know how much the crowd can affect your performance and want to give them as much of a boost as possible.”
There were some colourful characters among the many serious racers. Photo: San Ha.
This year was the final stage of candidacy for Sydney to be considered to join the Abbott World Marathon Majors. If successful in meeting the two consecutive years of strict criteria, Sydney will join the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City Marathon as one of the most prestigious foot races in the world.
This year’s race also saw the Abbott World Marathon Major (AWMM) Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) Age Group World Championships being held, with 1,800 of the best marathoners aged between 40-90 years old competing. The oldest competitor, representing Japan at 90 years old, Koichi Kitabatake, crossed the finish line at 07:23:22.
“The record-breaking performances and the incredible turnout have truly cemented this year’s event as a milestone in Australian marathon history,” said race director Wayne Larden.
Main image of winner Brimin Misoi crossing the finish line. Photos by San Ha.
