Sifan Hassan smashed the women’s course record by more than three minutes while Hailemaryam Kiros also improved the previous men’s record at the TCS Sydney Marathon Presented by ASICS, winning the World Athletics Platinum Label Road race in 2:18:22 and 2:06:06, respectively.
Dutch star Hassan has now won four of her six career marathons, adding victory in Sydney to her wins at last year’s Olympic Games as well as the 2023 London and Chicago marathons.
The Sydney race was making its debut as an Abbott World Marathon Majors event and Ethiopia’s Kiros claimed his first victory on the circuit, after finishing fourth in Tokyo and fifth in Berlin last year.
Running with male pacemakers, Hassan was part of a group that reached 10km in 32:12 after a fast start. She took turns with Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei to lead the six-strong pack and they reached the halfway mark in 1:10:01, joined by defending champion Workenesh Edesa.
Kosgei, the former world record-holder, edged ahead but Hassan was waiting to make her move, which she did after 35km, reached in 1:55:53.
Hassan quickly built a big advantage over Kosgei and although she looked uncomfortable as she took on a significant downhill, she continued to move away from her rival.
She reached the finish line in 2:18:22 to improve on the course record of 2:21:40 set by Edesa last year and Kosgei followed her in 2:18:56.
Edesa was third in 2:22:15 and Sichala Kumeshi finished fourth in 2:22:50.
“I pushed so hard to the finish,” Hassan explained in her finish line interview. “I started too hard and I learned my lesson. I am happy this is the first race I have finished without drama. I learn a big lesson every time.
“I am so happy to run a course record and win.”
A big group featuring the likes of two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, Kiros and 20-year-old Addisu Gobena reached halfway in the men’s race in 1:03:45.
The pacemakers stepped aside at 30km and a breakaway group of seven runners eased ahead as Kipchoge held back.
Gobena made a move at around the 36km mark, stringing out his rivals. Kiros gave chase and when he caught him, it looked as if they were working together. But Gobena was always a couple of strides ahead as Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana kept them in his sight, still in contention.
Gobena and Kiros reached 40km in 1:59:56 and some half a kilometre later, Kiros took the lead for the first time as they hit another of the many hills.
Gobena went with him but it wasn’t long before Kiros kicked again. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw no significant threat and reached the finish line clear in a course record of 2:06:06.
Gobena held on to the runner-up spot, 10 seconds back, while Ramakongoana was third in 2:06:47 and Kipchoge was ninth in 2:08:31. The Australian titles were won by Leanne Pompeani (2:24:47) and Haftu Strintzos (2:11:27).
“The competition was very tough,” said Kiros. “They are strong fields, but we worked together and now we are here.”
Asked whether he expected to run so fast, he replied: “Yes, I prepared well. The course is up and down. I am happy.”
(World Athletics)
