Olympic gold medalist Sifan Hassan and Hailemaryam Kiros shatter previous standards, clinching victory at the Sydney Marathon

Sydney Marathon Elevated to World Marathon Majors, Sifan Hassan Sets New Course Record

The Sydney Marathon made history this year as it was included as one of the elite World Marathon Majors for the first time, joining the ranks of London, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and New York in the elite global series.

The event attracted a record 35,000 runners, with the men's race seeing a thrilling battle between Hailemaryam Kiros and Addisu Gobena. Kiros led a seven-man breakaway in the race and made a move within one kilometre of the finish line to set a new course record, shaving more than 10 seconds off the previous record set last year by Kenya's Brimin Misoi. Kiros finished the race with a time of 2:06.06, setting a new record in the men's Sydney Marathon. Gobena finished second with a time of 2:06.13.

The women's race was equally competitive, with Sifan Hassan setting a new course record with a time of 2hrs 18min 22sec. Hassan admitted she almost misjudged her race but managed to pull through and secure the win. Brigid Kosgei finished second with a time of 2:18.56.

American Susannah Scaroni won the women's wheelchair race, while Switzerland's Marcel Hug took the men's wheelchair race. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, a renowned marathon runner, failed to clinch a 12th marathon major and finished ninth. Despite being off the pace, Kipchoge received the biggest cheer when he crossed the finish line.

Tebello Ramakongoana and Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa finished third in the men's and women's Sydney Marathon, respectively. The next marathon Sifan Hassan will participate in after winning in Sydney is not explicitly stated in the provided search results.

Early on in the race, the women's Sydney Marathon narrowed down to just five leaders, while at halfway, Kipchoge was with the lead group setting a fast pace, but was dropped around the 32km mark.

The Sydney Marathon, now a World Marathon Major, is set to attract even more elite runners in the years to come.

Olympic gold medalist Sifan Hassan and Hailemaryam Kiros shatter previous standards, clinching victory at the Sydney Marathon