$30k pay day up for grabs as Sydney Marathon star spills on mind games
Tickled pink by the thought of scoring $30,000 in the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, Andy Buchanan has been chirping at his two chief rivals.
“I’ve been getting in Tim and Liam’s heads, just saying how good I’m feeling and saying how hilly it is,” the Australian marathon star, referring to Tim Vincent and Liam Boudin, says with a grin.
Andy Buchanan. Supplied
“They live in Brisbane, which is pretty flat, so I’m like, ‘What are you guys doing here?’”
Some 40,000 people are expected to tackle the Sydney Marathon just after 6am on Sunday, in the event’s second year as a world marathon major.
It’s unlikely an Australian will be the first man or woman across the Opera House finish line. After all, both reigning world champions – Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania and Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya – will be hitting the streets of the harbour city, among a swarm of other blisteringly fast Africans.
But there is a hefty stash of prize money set aside exclusively for Australians.
For the second year running, Sydney Marathon organisers have come up with a record domestic prize money pool of $135,000.
The first Australian man and woman across the finish line will pocket $30,000, with second picking up $20,000, third $10,000, fourth $5000 and fifth $2500.
In the highly improbable event of the men’s or women’s national marathon records being broken on the hilliest course of the world majors circuit – the men’s is 2:06:20 and the women’s 2:21:24 – a $10,000 bonus will be handed out.
It makes for a race within the race.
And given the financial struggles that face all bar a minuscule percentage of elite distance runners, it’s a race that carries plenty of weight.
“One-hundred per cent,” Buchanan says.
“Running is a tough sport, and we don’t get the financial support that a lot of other sports get.
“To be able to run a major in your own country is awesome, but to also financially benefit from it is so good.”
The overall breakdown of Sydney Marathon prize money is not disclosed publicly, but according to sources of nine.com.au, the first man and woman get $139,000 each ($US100,000).
Andy Buchanan running the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Second gets $83,000, third earns $56,000, and fourth through to 10th are guaranteed sums of prize money ranging from $35,000 to $2800.
If the men’s or women’s course records are broken – they are 2:06:06 and 2:18:22 – a $35,000 bonus is awarded.
And in the event of an Australian winning both overall and domestically, they reap the rewards of both prize money structures.
The man behind the raging success of the Sydney Marathon, which has gone from the brink of collapse in the 2000s to being one of eight world majors, is Wayne Larden.
“I think, especially for Aussies, it’s important that they are able to win a decent amount of money,” he tells nine.com.au.
“It’s a tough life for elite distance runners; only the really great marathon runners are actually earning an income.
“The Aussies and other athletes spend their life savings and all of their time trying to be elite.”
Buchanan hails from Bendigo. The 35-year-old is a part owner of a shop in the country Victoria town called Verve Running.
Until recently, he was a high school teacher.
The Sydney Marathon is one of eight world marathon majors. Daniel Train/Sydney Marathon
Through his running shop, several sponsors, and a bit of prize money and race appearance fees sprinkled in, he funds his running dreams.
He ran the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics and is a former national marathon record holder.
He only lost the record in July, when Haftu Strintzos clocked 2:06:20 in the Gold Coast Marathon to break Buchanan’s mark by a mere two seconds.
As for his potential $30,000 pay day, Buchanan already has a plan in mind.
“I’ve got a pretty big home loan, so I’d like to take a chunk off that,” he smiles.
“But I’ve also had my eye on a camera. I’m into photography a little bit, so that’d be the first fun thing I buy.”
It ought to be noted, though, that Buchanan is hardly driven by money. If he was, he wouldn’t be running for a living.
“It’s really just trying to be as good as I can be,” he says.
“How fast can I run? How high up can I finish in a major? That’s what it’s all about – purely pushing to reach my potential.”
