Kastor: Women's race in Sydney is wide open

Two-time Abbott World Marathon Major winner Deena Kastor says anyone could triumph in Sydney next month.

The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS recently announced their women’s field, which will be fronted by 2023 AWMM Elite Series Champion Sifan Hassan and five-time Major winner Brigid Kosgei.

But Kastor told Marathon Talk that the winner could come from outside the headline act.

“I think it’s a really well-matched race for Sydney’s first year as an Abbott World Marathon Major,” said the podcast co-host.

“It could be anyone’s. All of these women know how to win a Major."

“We are seeing there are so many rising stars. There’s going to be names in the mix; people that we haven’t heard of or people who have podiumed or just missed out on the podium at some of the World Marathon Majors that could be up there.”

Kastor, who won Chicago in 2005 and London a year later, will be lining up in Sydney, the first time she will be back in the Australian city since the 2000 Olympics.

The former Olympic bronze medallist in Athens in 2004 is currently clocking up the miles alongside the other 35,000 runners preparing for Sydney.

“It’s bound to be a really exciting race on a really challenging course. As long as their training goes well this is going to be a really well-matched contest.”

Watch: Deena and Martin preview Sydney plus who won our end of season quiz?

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