Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena storms to a Sydney Marathon record

SYDNEY: Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena surged to a record-breaking victory in the men’s race at the Sydney Marathon on Sunday.
In perfect conditions, Gobena won the hotly contested men’s race in two hours four minutes and 42 seconds more than a minute and a half quicker than the previous record on the hilly harborside course which attracted 40,000 competitors from around the world.
The 21-year-old Ethiopian, who was a javelin thrower until 2023, broke away with compatriot Chimdessa Debele Gudeta from the lead pack of six runners inside the final two kilometers and then surged ahead on the downhill finish to the Sydney Opera House to win by four seconds.
Gobena, who finished second behind Hailemaryam Kiros last year, celebrated by punching the air after crossing the finish line.
“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,” said Gobena through an interpreter.

Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana was third in 2:04:57.
The top seven finishers, including Kiros, were all inside Kiros’ record time of 2:06:06 set in last year’s race.
It 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.
Jepchirchir wins fourth major
Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya broke the women’s field early and raced away to win by more than three minutes as she claimed her fourth marathon major.
Jepchirchir crossed the line in a time of 2:18:31, nine seconds behind Dutch multi-distance star Sidan Hassan’s mark set in last year’s event.

The Kenyan has now added the Sydney title to her wins in Boston, New York and London.
Compatriot Irene Cheptai was second in 2:22:11, with