SYDNEY, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Hailemaryam Kiros and Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan each set a new course record to win the Sydney Marathon on Sunday.
Kiros won the men's race in a time of two hours, six minutes and six seconds, the fastest marathon time ever run in Australia, ahead of rookie compatriot Addisu Gobena in second and Lesotho's Tebello Ramakongoana in third.
Speaking at the finish line after running away from Gobena in the final few kilometers, Kiros said the competition was "very tough" in a strong field but that he expected to beat the course record.
In the women's event, reigning Olympic champion Hassan finished in 2:18:22, beating the previous course record by over three minutes, ahead of Kenya's Brigid Kosgei and Ethiopia's Workenesh Edesa.
"It's amazing, I'm really grateful, I'm so happy to win a course record," Hassan said. "It's history, it's the first major marathon, and I'm the first winner."
Sunday's race was the first time the Sydney Marathon has been run as a World Marathon Major event after it was added to the series in November 2024.
An estimated 35,000 people participated in the marathon, which started in northern Sydney before crossing the Harbor Bridge and finishing at the Opera House. ■