Ethiopian star ‘learns from mistakes’ to smash Sydney Marathon record
Updated . First published at
Ethiopian Addisu Gobena has smashed the course record en route to victory in the Sydney Marathon on Sunday morning.
The 21-year-old – who until 2023 was a javelin thrower before a family member suggested he switch to distance running – slashed nearly 90 seconds off the old record when he crossed in 2:04:42.
Addisu Gobena smashed the course record to win the Sydney Marathon. Getty Images
He was followed home by countryman Chimdessa Debele Gudeta, who finished only four seconds behind. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana was third, only 15 seconds behind Gobena.
Gobena finished second last year behind Hailemaryam Kiros, who was a part of a seven-man breakaway that formed around the 30km mark.
It remained largely intact until the top-three finished lifted on the final stretch down the Macquarie Street hill and into the Opera House forecourt.
The top seven finishers, including Kiros, were all inside Kiros’ record time of 2:06:06 set in last year’s race.
“I am very happy. Last year I came second, I learnt 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.
Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir claimed the women’s title in 2:18:34, only nine seconds off the record set by Sidan Hassan last year.
Jepchirchir finished an incredible 3:40 ahead of compatriot Irene Cheptai.
“The course was tough, but I came good, I managed to win,” Jepchirchir said.
“I was not expecting to win…I was prepared, but I was not sure when I came here if I would win, but I’m so glad and I’m so happy.”
The victory adds to her wins in Boston, New York and London.
Andrew Buchanan and Ellie Pashley were the first Aussie man and woman home, crossing the line in 2:10:14 and 2:28:28 respectively.
American Daniel Romanchuk also took 30 seconds off the record on his way to victory in the wheelchair race. He had the honour of being the first of any competitor home.
Switzerland’s Manuela Schar won the women’s event.
Peres Jepchirchir was the first woman home. Getty Images
More than 40,000 runners from more than 140 countries hit the streets of Sydney on Sunday morning. The race started in North Sydney -- the same start line used at the 2000 Olympics marathon.
The route took competitors across the Harbour Bridge and then past some of the most iconic landmarks in Sydney, including Darling Harbour, Centennial Park, before finishing on the forecourt of the Opera House.
This was the Sydney Marathon’s second year as a major, a list of elite events that includes New York, London, Berlin, Boston, Tokyo and Chicago.
