By Banjo Tucker and Ted Schief
Unforgettable performances marked Sydney’s Major Marathon debut, with Hailemaryam Kiros and Sifan Hassan crossing the finish line first in a historic race.
The prestigious Abbott world marathon majors gained a seventh member this Sunday as the Sydney marathon took over the city.
Over 35,000 participants raced around some of the city’s greatest sites, beginning in North Sydney before running across the Harbour Bridge, around Pyrmont, down to Centennial Park and finishing at the Opera house steps.
Ethiopian Hailemaryam Kiros, ranked 20th in the world, won the race in style, setting a new Australian record with a finishing time of 2:0:06, cutting the previous mark by six seconds. This victory was his first time on the podium in a World Marathon Major.
Hailemaryman Kiros crosses the line first to win the 2025 Sydney Marathon. Photo: Banjo Tucker.
Dutch 2024 Olympic gold medalist Sifan Hassan dominated the women’s category of the event, cruising home to take victory in her first marathon in Sydney.
Hassan has won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events at the Olympics, and this is her third world Marathon Major victory.
“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” she told SBS News.
“I felt so good in the first 5ks, and I think I pushed too hard. “I was like, ‘That’s not really smart’ but I feel I got away with it. I’m so grateful.”
A record-breaking 35,000 people took part in this year’s Sydney Marathon. Photo: Banjo Tucker.
On the Australian side, Victorian runner Haftu Strintzos finished in an impressive 14th place beating, fellow countrymen Thomas Do Canto and Brett Robinson who were close behind.
Running just her second ever marathon, 29-year-old long distance runner Leanne Pompeani placed 7th overall, setting a new personal best.
“I am elated, that was something special, and I am so glad I chose to do this,” Pompeani told Athletics NSW in a press release.
There were many of the elite athletes present at the race, among them being 11-time Major and two-time Olympic gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge, considered by many to be the greatest of all time.
The 40-year-old came in an impressive 9th place, falling behind the leading pack at the race’s final stages.
For Kipchoge, now in the later stage of his career, the race was less about placement and more about his own personal satisfaction and his enduring love for running.
“I have nothing left to prove to the world” he told Olympics.com.
Eliud Kipchoge celebrates with fans in Sydney, smiling at a group raising the Kenyan flag. Photo: Banjo Tucker.
As the Kenyan crossed the finish line, it was clear his illustrious career made him a fan favourite, as the crowd let out the loudest cheer of the day and he was swarmed with eager fans.
“My mission is to bring all the people together. Let us surpass 55,000 (from 35,000), actually, next year to run here,” Kipchoge told AAP.
Eliud Kipchioge with another successful marathon finish in Sydney. Photo: Ted Schief.
The race was perceived as a fan favourite with several athletes telling Central News about their experiences.
“I can really feel it in my legs,” said Pierre Leclesh, 49, with a smile.
“There were lots more people than last year. People from the very start, from the early hours, the support has been amazing”.
Travelling all the way from America to take part in his second world Marathon Major, Chris Grier notably ran the track in a Superman suit.
Chris Grier, dressed as Superman, plays to the crowd after finishing the marathon. Photo: Ted Schief.
“I was told Sydney is beautiful but but no one prepared me for how true of that statement it was being here,” he said.
“The highlights of the race for me would have to be going over the bridge right at sunrise seeing the coastal line and all the beautiful people was truly remarkable.”
The 2025 edition of the marathon is the first time it’s been classified as a “world major”, joining six other races in Berlin, London, Boston, New York, Chicago and Tokyo.
As a result there was a noticeable uptake in contestants, as much as 40 per cent more (35,000) from last year’s 25,000 entrants coming from all over the world.
Brazilian actor Nicolas Prattes brandishes his flag in elation moments after crossing the finish line. Photo: Banjo Tucker.
The World Marathon Majors plans to add a further two majors in the coming years, with Cape Town and Shanghai currently in the candidacy stage awaiting their chance to host a race.
Main image of Sifan Hassan winning the Sydney Marathon women’s category by Ted Schief.
