Kenyans in Sydney Cheer Jepchirchir to Marathon Victory

Peres Jepchirchir won the Sydney Marathon in 2:18:31, leading a Kenyan one-two after defeating Irine Cheptai by almost four minutes.

The Olympic and world champion took control of the women’s race after the 30km mark and maintained her lead to the finish near the Sydney Opera House. Her time was only nine seconds outside the course record set by Sifan Hassan last year.

Jepchirchir had initially allowed veteran Kenyan runner Priscah Cherono to make an early move before gradually closing the gap. Once she moved into the lead beyond 30km, she pulled clear and was not challenged again.

Cheptai finished second, giving Kenya the top two positions. Ethiopia’s Shure Demise was third in 2:22:33. The victory was particularly significant for Kenyans living in Australia, with diaspora communities gathering to support the athletes. The Kenyan one-two provided a moment of celebration for the communities watching the race in Sydney.

The race marked Jepchirchir’s return to marathon competition after an injury disrupted her season. She withdrew from the London Marathon earlier this year after suffering a stress fracture.

Before the injury, Jepchirchir had recorded a personal best of 2:14:43 in Valencia in 2024, placing her among the fastest women marathon runners in history. Her Sydney victory also gave her a fourth World Marathon Major title. She has now won major marathon races in New York, Boston, London and Sydney, becoming one of the few athletes to achieve victories across all four cities.

Jepchirchir, 32, also has Olympic gold from Tokyo 2020 and a world championship title among her major achievements. Despite her success in Sydney, she said before and after the race that she had not been certain she would win.

“I was not sure I was going to come and win. But I’m so glad, and I’m so happy,” she said.

The men’s race was won by Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena in a course-record 2:04:42. His compatriot Chimdessa Debele finished second, while Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana was third. More than 40,000 runners took part in the Sydney Marathon, which has continued to grow in prominence on the international marathon calendar.