Eliud Kipchoge to make Sydney Marathon debut as race joins World Marathon Majors
Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has confirmed his participation in the 2025 Sydney Marathon, set for August 31. The race, now an official World Marathon Major (WMM), will be Kipchoge’s first in Oceania. His inclusion is expected to raise the event’s global profile as he seeks to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season.
Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic marathon champion, has confirmed his participation in the 2025 Sydney Marathon, scheduled for August 31. This comes just four months after he is set to compete in the 2025 London Marathon on April 27.
Kipchoge, 40, will be racing in Oceania for the first time, coinciding with the Sydney Marathon’s elevation to World Marathon Major (WMM) status. The event officially joined the ranks of Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo after meeting the required standards in assessments held during the 2023 and 2024 editions.
Expressing his excitement about the upcoming race, Kipchoge said, “Competing in Australia is a huge opportunity for me. Sydney looks like a stunning city with iconic sights. It will be a special experience.”
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Beyond the competition, Kipchoge is eager to explore the city. “I especially want to see kangaroos. I don’t want to come to Australia and miss that,” he added.
His participation has been hailed as a “dream come true” by Sydney Marathon race director Wayne Larden, who believes Kipchoge’s presence will boost the event’s prestige and international appeal.
The Sydney Marathon has undergone major transformations since its inception in 2001 as a legacy event from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. It applied for WMM recognition in 2022 and has since adjusted its routes and race structure to meet the stringent criteria.
Kenyan runner Brimin Kipkorir holds the current Sydney Marathon record (2:06:18), while Ethiopia’s Worknesh Edesa set the women’s record (2:21:41) in 2023.
Kipchoge’s legendary career includes 16 marathon victories, 11 of which were in WMM races. His wins span Berlin (5), London (4), Chicago (1), and Tokyo (1), alongside back-to-back Olympic marathon gold medals at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. He is also the second-fastest marathoner in history, with a personal best of 2:01:09 at the 2022 Berlin Marathon.
However, Kipchoge heads into the 2025 season seeking redemption after a disappointing 10th-place finish at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon and failing to complete his race at the Paris Olympic Games. His upcoming appearances in London and Sydney will be crucial in reaffirming his dominance in the marathon world.
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