Sydney Marathon record smashed by Addisu Gobena as Andy Buchanan and Ellie Pashley win Aussie titles
Former javelin thrower Addisu Gobena has produced a remarkable win in the men’s Sydney Marathon, breaking the course record by more than a minute and a half.
Gobena switched to distance running in 2023 and has since wasted little time, notably finishing runner-up at the 2025 edition of the Sydney Marathon.
The Ethiopian went one better on Sunday in ideal conditions, mastering the hilly harbourside course in a time of two hours four minutes and 42 seconds.
Gobena’s time comfortably eclipsed the mark of compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros, who set the previous Sydney Marathon record of 2:06.06 in 2025
Sunday’s top seven finishers, including sixth-placed Kiros (2:05.16), all beat the previous record he set last year.
Andy Buchanan pocketed $30,000 as the top-ranked Australian, finishing 16th overall in 2:10.14 to grab the cash bonus ahead of Tim Vincent (2:13.54).
Ellie Pashley ran 2:28.28 to win the Australian women’s title, also pocketing $30,000, and she gave it all to do so, vomiting immediately after the finish line.
Tim Vincent (2:13:54) and Amelia Clark (2:29:47) pocketed $20,000 as the Australian runners-up.
In the men’s race, Gobena and Chimdessa Debele, who finished second in a time of 2:04.46, broke away from the lead pack of six runners inside the final two kilometres.
Gobena then surged ahead on the downhill finish to the Sydney Opera House to win by four seconds, celebrating by punching the air after crossing the finish line.
“I am very happy. Last year I came second, I learnt from my mistake,” the 21-year-old said through an interpreter.
“I went back home and I worked on my mistake to perform and break the record.”
In the women’s race, Peres Jepchirchir broke the field early and raced away to win by more than three minutes while claiming her fourth marathon major.
Jepchirchir crossed the line in a time of 2:18.31, nine seconds behind Dutch multi-distance star Sidan Hassan’s mark set in last year’s event.
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on 7news.com.au — the content belongs to 7NEWS Australia.
