SYDNEY — Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena and Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir delivered standout performances at the 2026 Sydney Marathon, with Gobena rewriting the men’s course record while Jepchirchir powered to victory in the women’s race.
Gobena crossed the finish line at the Sydney Opera House in 2:04:42, becoming the first man to break the 2:06 barrier on the Sydney course and improving dramatically on his runner-up finish from last year.
His victory also marked his first World Marathon Major title.
The 21-year-old Ethiopian edged compatriot Chimdessa Debele Gudeta, who finished just four seconds behind in 2:04:46. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana completed the men’s podium in 2:04:57.
Gobena’s winning time shattered the previous Sydney Marathon record of 2:06:06, set by fellow Ethiopian Hailemaryam Kiros when he won the 2025 edition.
That result was particularly significant because the Sydney Marathon had only recently entered the Abbott World Marathon Majors series, putting it alongside the sport’s most prestigious city marathons.
Jepchirchir Adds Sydney to Her Major-Major Resume
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir produced a commanding performance to win in 2:18:31.
The reigning world champion and 2021 Olympic marathon champion finished more than three minutes ahead of compatriot Irine Cheptai, who clocked 2:22:11. Ethiopia’s Shure Demise was third in 2:22:33.
Jepchirchir’s victory adds another major title to an already impressive marathon résumé. Her previous World Marathon Major victories came in New York, Boston and London, making Sydney her fourth major win.
She came remarkably close to the Sydney women’s course record. Her 2:18:31 was only nine seconds slower than the 2:18:22 mark set by Dutch star Sifan Hassan in 2025.
A Record-Breaking Sydney Marathon
The 2026 edition was another major milestone for Sydney as the event continues to establish itself among the world’s elite marathons.
Around 40,000 runners took part in this year’s race, adding to the event’s rapid growth since Sydney joined the World Marathon Majors.
The race also featured a deep international elite field, with reigning world champions and leading marathoners competing on Sydney’s challenging course.
For Gobena, however, the biggest statement came after last year’s disappointment.
He had finished second in Sydney in 2025. One year later, he returned and not only won the race — he obliterated the course record.
For Jepchirchir, the victory further strengthened her position among the most successful marathon runners of her generation.
What This Means
The Sydney Marathon is quickly becoming more than a newcomer on the World Marathon Majors calendar.
Gobena’s record-breaking performance shows that the men’s course is capable of producing world-class times, while Jepchirchir’s victory demonstrates the growing depth of the women’s field.
And with both champions delivering major statements in Sydney, the 2026 race could prove to be another important chapter in the event’s rapid rise on the global marathon stage.
KEY RESULTS
Men
- 🥇 Addisu Gobena — Ethiopia — 2:04:42
- 🥈 Chimdessa Debele Gudeta — Ethiopia — 2:04:46
- 🥉 Tebello Ramakongoana — Lesotho — 2:04:57
Women
- 🥇 Peres Jepchirchir — Kenya — 2:18:31
- 🥈 Irine Cheptai — Kenya — 2:22:11
- 🥉 Shure Demise — Ethiopia — 2:22:33
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