Gobena breaks Sydney Marathon men's record, Jepchirchir wins

Ethiopia's Addisu Gobena surged to a record-breaking victory in the men's race at the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, while Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir claimed the women's crown. The event, which attracted 40,000 competitors from around the world, was held in perfect conditions on the hilly harbourside course.

Gobena, a 21-year-old who was a javelin thrower until 2023, won the hotly contested men's race in two hours, four minutes, and 42 seconds. This time was more than a minute and a half quicker than the previous course record of 2:06:06 set by his compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros in the 2025 event. Gobena broke away with fellow Ethiopian Chimdessa Debele Gudeta from a lead pack of six runners inside the final two kilometres and then surged ahead on the downhill finish to the Sydney Opera House to win by four seconds. Gobena, who finished second behind Kiros last year, celebrated by punching the air after crossing the finish line.

"I am very happy. Last year I came second, I learned from my mistake, and I went back home and I worked on my mistake to perform and break the record today," Gobena said through an interpreter. Lesotho's Tebello Ramakongoana was third in 2:04:57. The top seven...