Sydney Marathon: Addisu Gobena and Peres Jepchirchir claim victory as 36,295 finishers cross the line

The field set off from North Sydney Oval for a 42.195-kilometre course taking in the city’s main landmarks. Crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge was one of the defining moments of the route, followed by a series of sections through areas including Moore Park and Centennial Park. The finish near the Sydney Opera House once again provided a spectacular backdrop for one of the season’s major road races.

Addisu Gobena breaks the Sydney Marathon record

Runner-up in the event in 2025, Addisu Gobena went one better this time. The Ethiopian produced a particularly strong finish to take the win in 2:04:42. His performance also saw him break the previous course record, set last year by compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros in 2:06:06. Addisu Gobena lowered the Sydney record by 1 minute and 24 seconds.

Five men break 2:05

The battle for the men’s win was exceptionally close. Addisu Gobena ultimately finished just four seconds ahead of Chimdessa Debele, with the Ethiopian taking second in 2:04:46. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana completed the podium in 2:04:57, the same time as Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu. Jemal Mekonnen finished fifth in 2:04:59. The depth of the field was one of the defining features of this edition: all seven of the first finishers came home inside the former Sydney record.

World champion Peres Jepchirchir proves untouchable

The women’s race gradually swung in favour of Peres Jepchirchir. The Kenyan initially stayed in the lead pack led by compatriot Priscah Cherono, before stepping up the pace in the second half of the course.

The reigning world champion in Tokyo then opened a gap on Irine Cheptai and controlled the final kilometres without ever looking seriously threatened. The 2021 Olympic champion won in 2:18:31, finishing more than three minutes clear of her nearest challenger. The victory gives Peres Jepchirchir a fourth Abbott World Marathon Majors title. The Kenyan had already won the New York Marathon in 2021, Boston in 2022 and London in 2024.

Her Sydney time nevertheless fell just short of the course record. Set in 2025, the mark belongs to Dutch runner Sifan Hassan, who ran 2:18:22. Peres Jepchirchir therefore missed the record by just nine seconds. Irine Cheptai held on to second in 2:22:11. Ethiopia’s Shure Demise, winner of the 2026 Paris Marathon in 2:18:34, completed the podium in 2:22:33. After spending much of the race at the front, Priscah Cherono eventually had to settle for sixth in 2:23:49.

With world-class times and exceptional depth in both elite races, the TCS Sydney Marathon has confirmed its arrival in a new era. The Australian event now appears to have fully secured its place among the world’s leading marathons.

A German touch at the Australian marathon

The marathon in the harbour city stood out not only for its sporting performances, but also for those of its organisers. Participants were handed a decidedly unusual medal. Intended to highlight course landmarks such as the Opera House and the bridge in Australia’s largest city, the medal featured Munich’s Allianz Arena instead of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. The Australian press had fun with the mistake, including the Sydney Morning Herald, which ran the headline: “The medal that will put Sydney on the map. The wrong map”.