2025 marks the first year the highly anticipated Sydney Marathon was recognised as one of the seven World Majors.  On August 31, a whopping 32,959 runners triumphantly crossed the finish line at the Sydney Marathon. 

If you spent your Sunday sleeping in like a normal person, here’s what you missed. 

What was it like to run the Sydney Marathon?

It has the highest elevation gain of the seven World Major Marathons, totalling 313 metres of climb, making the gruelling 42.195km distance even more challenging. However, runners were treated to a glorious journey across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for kilometres 2 and 3, soaking in the national landmark on fresh legs before circling down to Pyrmont, Barangaroo, and The Rocks. For the overseas runners from over 150 countries, I can imagine this being pretty surreal. 

At the end of conquering the marathon, runners were rewarded for their suffering with a beautiful finish at the Sydney Opera House forecourt, where they reunited with their loved ones at the Botanic Gardens. Arguably, not the worst place to experience the painful relief of accomplishing such a challenging achievement.

If you're struggling to wrap your head around the distance, immerse yourself in a virtual course preview here. 

Melissa Woodley from Time Out spoke about the sense of privilege that comes with being part of the global community of runners, from all walks of life, uniting to experience the marathon as a collective. Mark Dredge from The Running Channel testifies to the great atmosphere, with the starting area enlivened with good music and entertainment, and loud supportive cheer zones throughout the course.  

I was a part of Zone B on Anzac Parade, the challenging out-and-back section at the halfway mark. Cheering the runners on sent a contagious current of electric energy through the air, almost like a secondary runner’s high, as we fiercely shouted and cheered encouragement.  

Who were the fastest runners at the Sydney Marathon this year? 

There's no doubt this year’s race was one for the books, being named the fastest race ever held in Australia. 

You may have already heard the name Sifan Hassan in previous races or caught a glimpse in breaking headlines. The Dutch multi-distance phenomenon claimed the title of fastest woman to ever finish a marathon in Australia, with an outstanding time of 2 hours, 18 minutes and 22 seconds.  

Sifan has had a generational run, pun intended. The Dutch superstar is a reigning Olympic marathon champion, having also claimed gold in the 5000m and 10000m races, making her the only woman to win this triad at a single Games.

And if your jaw is not already on the floor, let me remind you that Hassan also won the 2023 London Marathon, and her talents are not limited to long-distance running. Hassan has set world records in the mile and won gold medals for 1500m races at the 2019 World Athletics Championships and the 2016 World Indoor Championships. 

Hailemaryam Kiros from Ethiopia achieved the fastest marathon ever run in Australia, winning the men’s event in 2 hours and 6 minutes, beating last year’s record by 12 seconds.

Therefore, it’s safe to say that the global elites have definitely made their mark in the land down under. 

Closer to home, Canberra’s Leanne Pompeani placed first out of the Australian women’s race, finishing seventh overall in 2 hours 24 minutes and 47 seconds, with Olympians Jess Stenson and Lisa Weightman finishing eighth and ninth respectively. 

Our fastest Aussie male, Haftu Strintzos from Melbourne, finished in 14th place with a time of 2 hours 11 minutes and 27 seconds. 

Where did Eliud Kipchoge place?

Even those who haven’t caught the running bug are familiar with the name Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan legend whose legacy will be remembered in history books as one of the greatest of all time. Kipchoge is a two-time Olympic marathon gold medallist, winning 11 major marathons, with the second-fastest official time.

Kipchoge placed ninth, finishing in 2 hours 8 minutes and 31 seconds.

To even be graced by his presence was monumental for spectators and runners alike. As a UNSW student, I will never be able to look at Anzac Parade the same way when I get off the light rail after witnessing Kipchoge effortlessly powering past the lower campus.

What other major records were broken?

All four course records were broken.  

The men’s wheelchair race saw Marcel Hug from Switzerland annihilate the long-standing course and Australian all-comers record of 1 hour 36 minutes, 38 seconds set in 2011 by Kurt Fearnley. Not only did Hug rewrite this historical milestone with a time of 1 hour 27 minutes and 15 seconds, but he also became the first athlete, able-bodied or wheelchair to claim victory in all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Susannah Scaroni from America claimed victory in the women’s wheelchair race by setting a new all-comers record with a time of 1 hour 44 minutes and 52 seconds, shattering the previous time of 1 hour 54 minutes and 10 seconds.

What do the runners get for winning?

Fortunately, the runners earn more than just a medal and infinite bragging rights, as this year the Australian Elite Athlete Program introduced a record-breaking prize pool of $135,000 AUD. This is the largest-ever domestic prize offering for a marathon event in Australia. Australian Athletics guarantees top-performing male and female athletes $30,000 for first place, and second through fifth places earn $20,000, $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500, respectively. Breaking current Australian marathon records by Andy Buchanan and Sinead Diver will also earn athletes a bonus $10,000.  

By investing in homegrown runners, Australian Athletics aims to establish its presence on the global elite marathon stage. Although still in the distant future, the President of Australian Athletics, Jane Flemming, assures that motivating Aussie athletes sets them up for greatness for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. 

However, if, like most of us, you don’t see yourself taking home gold in a marathon, don’t expect to leave empty-handed. Every race finisher received a 2025 finisher’s medal, described as one of the best marathon finish medals.

What were the most memorable moments from the Sydney Marathon?

Charlie Maher became the first Indigenous man to complete all seven major marathons in the world after completing the Sydney Marathon, as part of the Indigenous Marathon Project. This particularly significant milestone was an achievement against all odds as Maher battled a calf strain that stifled his training for four weeks in the lead up to the race.

Some inventive runners also seized the chance to claim their moment in the spotlight in imaginative ways. 

The Guardian reports Daniel Byrnes broke the Guinness World Record for wearing the most pairs of underpants (53, to be exact) whilst running a marathon to raise money for Bowel Cancer Australia. Byrnes completed the marathon in an impressive time of 4 hours, 33 minutes and 20 seconds, with the extra 5kg of underpants weight

Masakazu Konno from Japan was the fastest person to complete a marathon dressed as a Star Wars character, with a time of 3 hours, 3 minutes and 20 seconds. The pharmaceutical employee does not shy away from dressing up, also holding the record for fastest marathon dressed as a ninja and fastest marathon wearing a suit and dress shoes. 

Bondi Rescue’s Andrew Reid broke the record for the fastest marathon dressed as a surfer with 3 hours 17 minutes and 37 seconds with thongs and a surfboard.

The oldest person to complete the race was Nelson Rafael Lara Garcia, and the grand age of 87, finishing in 6 hours 46 minutes and 56 seconds. 

Aside from Guinness World Records, Tim O’Brien was the event’s top fundraiser. O’Brien raised over $50,000 for Running for Premature Babies to honour his premature twins, an emotional tribute of healing and charity.

Was anyone injured during the Sydney Marathon?

According to The Guardian, 22 people were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for conditions including hyperthermia and leg injuries. 

Why is it important that the Sydney Marathon is now a World Major? 

On November 3 2024, the Sydney Marathon was officially recognised as a World Marathon Major alongside Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City and Tokyo amongst the original six marathon majors. It’s the first major in the southern hemisphere. But what does this even mean, and what difference does it make? 

According to Runner's World, the race was evaluated across three years on over 100 criteria such as runner experience, drink stations and finisher total.  

In 2022, the marathon had 5,000 entrants and last year the finisher total was just over 20,000. This year, the marathon attracted a whopping 35,000, thanks to the fancy new title. 

This newly recognised embellishment will also see the World Marathon Majors award a new medal for those who complete all seven majors. However, the six-star medal will still be awarded to those who complete the original six. 

AbbottWMM has also introduced a commemorative coin, unique to Sydney, which can be purchased to showcase a runner’s achievements from two races to all seven.  

Rumour has it a Nine Star medal could be the next big achievement, with marathons in Cape Town and Shanghai set to claim international recognition. 

Why has the Marathon (and running in general) become so popular? 

The marathon pushes the human body and mind to its absolute breaking point, with runners describing unheard degrees of pain and suffering from missing toenails, bleeding nipples, and cramps in muscles that you didn’t even know existed. And you can’t forget a marathoner’s inability to walk or sit for weeks after the race. These are just some of the commonly reported experiences for those who live to tell the tale. 

It is also an endurance test of the mind as well as the body. As a spectator, supporter, or runner of the race, do not be surprised to witness the floodgates open as runners cry tears of relief, empowerment, pain, joy, or an intense combination of all the above as the kilometres of mental willpower rise to the surface. 

This arguably nightmarish experience really makes you wonder why on earth everyone has decided to put themselves through such torture. Has everyone gone mad? 

Well, considering it spiked during the pandemic era… kind of. 

Being trapped indoors with the impending doom of being wiped out by a deadly flu sweeping the globe led to us trying to find socially distanced, healthy and beneficial outlets to release the stress, misery and boredom of the COVID-19 lockdown.

In the years that followed, everyone who didn’t jump on the bandwagon got swept up in what I call the ‘Instagram-ification’ of running. That is, fitness influencers convince us that it is enjoyable, addictive, and fun. Now, it has become one of the most popular social activities, with run clubs popping up in every postcode, for every individual, whether you're looking to date, make friends, finish your runs with a sweet treat, or simply get outside and move your body with like-minded people. 

And, as a volunteer at the Sydney Marathon this year, the energy and support were electric. While handing out water to the focused, exhausted, and determined stampede, you could feel the runner’s high in the air. It was exhilarating to be part of such a strong collective and bear witness to so many people pushing their bodies to their limits and achieving such a momentous goal. I’d be lying if I didn’t contract a slight case of FOMO.

How can I join next year’s Marathon?  

If you're like me and don’t want to miss out next year, the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon ballot entries are open from September 24th 2025, at 10 am until October 17th 11:59 pm. You can sign up to the mailing list on the TCS Sydney Marathon website for more in-depth information and tips on how best to enter.  

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Amelia Akonnah is a second-year student studying a dual degree in Media and Social Sciences at UNSW, majoring in Politics and International Relations and Journalism, with a passion for writing and film.

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