Sydney Marathon results 2026: Ethiopiaâs Addisu Gobena delivered the biggest performance of the day in Sydney, winning the menâs race in a course-record 2:04:42 as Kenyaâs Peres Jepchirchir claimed the womenâs title in 2:18:31.
Gobenaâs win was decided by just four seconds, but the broader result was even more striking: the first seven men all finished faster than the previous Sydney Marathon record of 2:06:06, underlining the speed and depth of this yearâs elite field.
Gobena smashes Sydney Marathon record
The 21-year-old Ethiopian broke away late with compatriot Chimdessa Debele after the leading pack began to thin inside the final kilometres.
Gobena then surged clear on the run toward the Sydney Opera House finish, stopping the clock at 2:04:42. Debele crossed four seconds later in 2:04:46, while Lesothoâs Tebello Ramakongoana finished third in 2:04:57.
The victory completed a rapid rise for Gobena, who was competing as a javelin thrower before switching to distance running in 2023. He finished second in Sydney in 2025 before returning a year later to win and take 1 minute 24 seconds off the previous course record.
Sydney Marathon 2026 menâs top results
- 1. Addisu Gobena, Ethiopia â 2:04:42
- 2. Chimdessa Debele, Ethiopia â 2:04:46
- 3. Tebello Ramakongoana, Lesotho â 2:04:57
Hailemaryam Kiros, who set the previous 2:06:06 record in 2025, finished sixth in 2:05:16. All seven leading finishers went under his old mark.
Australiaâs Andy Buchanan was the top home finisher, placing 16th overall in 2:10:14. He also earned a reported $30,000 bonus as the highest-ranked Australian, ahead of Tim Vincent in 2:13:54.
Peres Jepchirchir wins womenâs title
There was less late drama in the womenâs race, where Kenyaâs Peres Jepchirchir broke the field and built a decisive lead.
She finished in 2:18:31, more than three minutes ahead of second-placed Irene Cheptai and only nine seconds outside the Sydney womenâs course record of 2:18:22.
Cheptai finished second in 2:22:11, with Ethiopiaâs Shure Demise Ware third in 2:22:33.
The victory added Sydney to Jepchirchirâs major marathon wins in Boston, New York and London.
Sydney Marathon 2026 womenâs top results
- 1. Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya â 2:18:31
- 2. Irene Cheptai, Kenya â 2:22:11
- 3. Shure Demise Ware, Ethiopia â 2:22:33
Ellie Pashley was the fastest Australian woman, completing the race in 2:28:28.
Wheelchair course records also fall
The record-breaking morning extended to the wheelchair races.
American Daniel Romanchuk won the menâs event in a course-record 1:26:50. Britainâs David Weir finished second in 1:31:33, with Chinaâs Luo Xingchuan third two seconds later.
Switzerlandâs Manuela Schär won the womenâs wheelchair race in another course record, finishing in 1:42:04. Eden Rainbow-Cooper was second and Tatyana McFadden finished third.
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Ash Barty and Emma McKeon finish the race
The mass-participation field also included two of Australiaâs best-known former elite athletes.
Three-time Grand Slam singles champion Ash Barty finished the marathon in 4:16:40, while six-time Olympic swimming gold medallist Emma McKeon crossed the line in 4:41:30.
McKeon said the closing stages took her into unfamiliar territory because 28km had been the longest distance she covered during training.
Why the 2026 Sydney Marathon matters
Around 40,000 competitors took part in the event, which was staged for the second year with Abbott World Marathon Major status.
The route sends runners through Sydney before a landmark finish near the Opera House. Those looking back at the race-day schedule can see the Sydney Marathon 2026 start time, route and live tracking details.
The eventâs growing international profile places it alongside established major marathons in Boston, London, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago and New York. Official event information is available on the TCS Sydney Marathon website.
The weekend also carried broader sporting interest in Australia, with football fans following the Tottenham vs Newcastle match and kick-off details.
For Gobena, however, the headline is simple: a year after finishing second in Sydney, he returned to win, beat the old record by 84 seconds and set a new benchmark of 2:04:42.
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