Kiros and Hassan smash records at Sydney Marathon

SYDNEY: Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands have surged to record-breaking victories in the men’s and women’s races at the debut of the Sydney Marathon as a world major on Sunday.
Kiros won a thrilling men’s race in two hours six minutes and six seconds to run the fastest marathon ever in Australia, more than a minute quicker than the previous record on the hilly harborside course which attracted 35,000 competitors from around the world.
The 28-year-old Ethiopian finished 10 seconds clear of compatriot Addisu Gobena with Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana third.
Kiros was part of a lead pack of seven runners and then surged off the front with Gobena to make it a duel for the remaining five kilometers. Kiros then handled better the downhill gradient to the finish line at the Sydney Opera House to claim an impressive victory on a brisk winter’s morning.
It was the Sydney Marathon’s first year as a major, joining a list of elite events that includes New York, London, Berlin, Boston, Tokyo and Chicago.

Hassan overcomes pain barrier
Dutch multi-distance star Hassan was also in record-breaking form as she dominated the women’s race to win in 2:18:22, almost three minutes quicker than Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa record time set last year.
Kenyan runner Brigid Kosgei with Edesa third in 2:22:05.
“The last five kilometers, I’m dead,” Hassan said. “I felt so good in the first 5Ks and I think I pushed too hard. I pushed really hard the last 10Ks. I was like, ‘That’s not really smart. I’m going to pay the price’, but I feel I got away with it. I’m so grateful.”
“It’s the first major marathon in Australia, in Sydney, and I’m the first one to win, so it’s big history for me.
Kenyan star finishes ninth but