Sifan Hassan claimed her third AbbottWMM victory as she stormed to a course record to mark the TCS Sydney Marathon’s Majors debut.
The Dutch star added the Australian city to wins in London and Chicago plus her Olympic title, having chosen to run on this historic day over traveling to the Athletics World Championships.
Hassan crossed the line in 2:18:22 after a composed and controlled performance that was without a hint of the dramas that have punctuated some of her previous marathon successes.
The 32-year-old has been on sparkling form all week, making front- and back-page news as she charmed the Australian public with her rapid-fire one-liners and mega-watt smile.
And she shone again on race day, remaining patient until the 35-40km segment to make the decisive move, shaking off the challenge of former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei to beat the Kenyan by 34 seconds.
2024 Sydney champion Workenesh Edesa claimed third.
Hassan’s fellow headliner Eliud Kipchoge was reduced to fighting for a top 10 spot as the 40-year-old dropped off the leading pack as they entered the final 10km.
The men’s race unfolded into a thrilling duel between the Ethiopian pair Hailemaryam Kiros and Addisu Gobena, and it was Kiros who proved the stronger in the final two kilometers to claim another course record in 2:06:06.
Gobena was 10 seconds back while Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana took third spot in 2:06:47.
