Addisu Gobena broke the course record to in Sydney Marathon win, running 2:04:42 at the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday.
The Ethiopian emerged from a seven-man lead group in the closing stages to take his second career marathon victory, finishing three seconds ahead of compatriot Chimdessa Debele.
Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana was third in 2:04:57 as first seven men all finished inside Hailemaryam Kiros’ previous course record of 2:06:06, per the World Athletics (WA) report.
This time, the defending champion Hailemariam finished sixth in 2:05:16.
For Addisu, it was his first marathon victory since his debut over the distance in Dubai in 2024. He won there in 2:05:01 – his PB coming into Sydney where he was runner-up last year.
Meanwhile, world champion Peres Jepchirchir won the women’s road race in 2:18:31, which, accordng to WA – is just nine seconds shy of the course record set by Sifan Hassan last year.
Three Kenyans formed the leading group that crossed the 30km mark in 1:37:48 with 46-year-old Kenyan veteran Cherono – who made an audacious early break – in front.
Jepchirchir gradually reeled in early leader Priscah Cherono before breaking away from Irine Cheptai before 35km.
And she went onto win more than three minutes ahead of Cheptai who held for second in 2:22:11.
Ethiopia’s Shure Demise came through to take third in 2:22:33. Her compatriots Haven Hailu (2:22:57) and Meseret Abebayahu (2:23:40) followed in, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Cherono was sixth in 2:23:49 (PB).
**LEADING RESULTS **
Women
1 Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:18:31
2 Irine Cheptai (KEN) 2:22:11
3 Shure Demise (ETH) 2:22:33
4 Haven Hailu (ETH) 2:22:57
5 Meseret Abebayahu (ETH) 2:23:40
6 Priscah Cherono (KEN) 2:23:49
7 Stella Chesang (UGA) 2:23:52
8 Fikrte Wereta (ETH) 2:25:18
9 Ellie Pashley (AUS) 2:28:28
10 Aberu Ayana (ETH) 2:28:30
Men
1 Addisu Gobena (ETH) 2:04:42
2 Chimdessa Debele (ETH) 2:04:46
3 Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) 2:04:57
4 Alphonce Simbu (TAN) 2:04:57
5 Jemal Mekonnen (ETH) 2:04:59
6 Hailemaryam Kiros (ETH) 2:05:16
7 Vincent Ngetich (KEN) 2:05:28
8 Dawit Wolde (ETH) 2:06:41
9 Kennedy Kimutai (KEN) 2:06:50
10 Gilbert Kibet (KEN) 2:07:13
