Addisu Gobena and Peres Jepchirchir Claim Historic Victories at the Sydney Marathon

Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena and Kenyan world champion Peres Jepchirchir secured commanding victories in the men’s and women’s races at the Sydney Marathon. For the 21-year-old Gobena, who finished second last year, this marked his first victory in a World Marathon Major. Meanwhile, Jepchirchir added another triumph in Australia to her previous prestigious wins in Boston, New York, and London.

Gobena made his decisive move in the final kilometer, powering across the finish line four seconds clear of compatriot Chimdessa Debele Gudeta with a time of 2:04:42. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana claimed third place. This dominant performance shattered the course record by nearly a minute and a half, leaving last year’s winner Hailemaryam Kiros trailing in the closing stages. Expressing his joy, Gobena, a former javelin thrower who transitioned to long-distance running, noted that he learned from his mistakes after placing second last year.

In the women’s division, the unstoppable Jepchirchir was in a league of her own, crossing the finish line in front of the Sydney Opera House in 2:18:31. She finished nearly four minutes ahead of fellow Kenyan Irine Cheptai and Ethiopia’s Shure Demise Ware. Jepchirchir acknowledged the tough and hilly nature of the course, particularly the challenging first half.

Tactical battles defined both races before the decisive breaks. In the men’s event, a leading pack of 15 runners at the halfway mark was gradually whittled down to seven with six kilometers remaining. Attacks by Dawit Wolde, Vincent Ngetich, and Gobena kept the pace high before Gobena and Gudeta pulled away.

Among the women, Kenya’s Priscah Cherono initially built a strong lead, but she was eventually caught by chasing contenders Jepchirchir and Cheptai before the 30km mark. Jepchirchir eventually broke away from Cheptai, finishing just nine seconds shy of the course record set by Sifan Hassan in 2025.

In the wheelchair divisions, American Daniel Romanchuk won the men’s race, while Switzerland’s Manuela Schar triumphed in the women’s event. A record 40,000 runners participated in the picturesque 42.19km course, which journeyed from North Sydney, across the Harbour Bridge, and concluded on the forecourt of the Opera House. The event continues to solidify its status as the seventh World Marathon Major, joining an elite global series alongside London, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and New York.