Kipchoge 9th as Hassan and Kiros smash course records to win Sydney Marathon

Netherlands's Sifan Hassan crosses the finish line first in the 2025 Sydney Marathon, crossing the iconic Harbour Bridge on August 31, 2025. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Olympic champion Sifan Hassan produced a record-breaking performance on Sunday to win the inaugural Sydney Marathon as a World Marathon Major, while Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros matched her feat with victory in the men’s race.

The Dutch superstar, who was born in Ethiopia, dominated the women’s field with a blistering 2:18:22, smashing the course record by more than three minutes. Kenya’s former world record holder Brigid Kosgei finished second in 2:18:56, with last year’s winner Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa of Ethiopia taking third.

Hassan, 32, admitted she nearly misjudged her race:

“I pushed too hard and I learnt a lesson. I was so done the last 10k,” she said. “It’s amazing, I’m really grateful. I’m so happy to win with a course record. It’s history — the first Sydney major marathon and I’m the first winner.”

The women’s contest had narrowed to five leaders early before Hassan opened a decisive 40-second gap at 35km and held on for a powerful sprint finish.

In the men’s race, Kiros clocked 2:06:06, also a new course record, edging compatriot Addisu Gobena by 10 seconds. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana completed the podium in third.

“I expected to break the record because I prepared well,” Kiros said after shaving more than 10 seconds off the previous mark set by Kenya’s Brimin Misoi last year.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge — chasing a 12th major win — could not keep pace with the leaders and faded to ninth, though the Kenyan still received the loudest cheers at the Opera House finish line.

In the wheelchair races, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug took the men’s title while American Susannah Scaroni claimed the women’s crown.

This year’s Sydney Marathon drew a record 35,000 runners across the 42.19km course, starting in North Sydney, crossing the Harbour Bridge, and finishing on the forecourt of the iconic Opera House. Its elevation to the seventh World Marathon Major places it alongside London, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and New York in the elite global series.