Sydney Marathon’s announced its field of elites and it’s the best this county’s ever seen

Australian marathon history is set to be made this September.

The organising team has announced a star-studded Sydney Marathon elites field — the fastest pack ever assembled for a marathon down under.

The list of star runners certainly won’t hurt the race’s on-going efforts to become an Abbott World Marathon Major.

Here’s more on the athletes that have committed to the feature event on September 17.

Who are the Sydney Marathon elites?

Headlined by the champion of the 2022 Men’s World Marathon Tamirat Tola, records down under will be under ‘Major’ threat, as the event eyes off elite status. Along with Ethiopia’s top-ranked male, Kenyan star Judith Jeptum Korir will set a searing pace in the Women’s division.

The gun runners that headline the Sydney Marathon elites field will certainly get the running community talking. Here it is.

MEN’S ELITE FIELD

WOMEN’S ELITE FIELD

Australia’s record-breaking runners Brett Robinson and Sinead Diver also add serious juice to the field of Sydney Marathon elites. The pair both clocked new national records last year and the home-grown pair will ensure the competing Sydney Marathon elites are kept honest across the 42.195 course.

32-year-old Robinson broke Rob de Castella’s 36-year Australian record in Fukuoka, clocking a 2:07:31 on December 4.

Then in a freakish coincidence, 46-year-old Diver made the women’s Australian record her own on literally the same day – December 4, 2022 – competing in the Valencia Marathon. Diver crossed the line in 2:21:34, besting Benita Willis’ 16-year-old time.

The mother of two young kids is an inspiration to the Sydney Marathon elites ranks, taking up running at just 33 years of age. She continues to juggle her professional running commitments with a full-time IT consultant position.

More on Robinson and Diver’s record-shattering runs by Athletics Australia.

This news comes after Aussie hero Nedd Brockman was announced as an entrant last month; the event is generating serious headlines.

Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, who finished 2nd at the 2023 Boston Marathon, brings the best PB of any name that makes up the Sydney Marathon elites field. He previously clocked a 2:03:00. Geay and Tola will be out to dethrone Moses Kibet; the Kenyan will be defending his crown after crossing first last year with a time of 2:07:02.

Times are expected to be faster this year, with a sharper field and also course variations. To have the 3rd-ranked runners in both the men’s and women’s Sydney Marathon elites lineups is huge.

“We are thrilled to have assembled such a high calibre field for this year’s Sydney Marathon, as we head into our second year as a Candidate Race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors,” said Wayne Larden, Race Director, Sydney Marathon.

“The presence of these exceptional runners is a testament to the event’s status as a world-class marathon for elite athletes, running enthusiasts and recreational runners alike, and we are confident that this year’s event will be nothing short of extraordinary.”

Sydney Marathon hype continues to build

This will be the biggest long distance running event we’ve ever seen down under — the Sydney Marathon elites field spearheads record entry numbers.

Supported by the NSW Government and Destination NSW, the marathon continues its candidacy for the Abbott World Marathon Majors series; the annual event appears committed to encompassing both your everyday Australian, plus the elite of the elite.

The Sydney Marathon is the sole remaining participant legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and is the first event in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve the highly prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label, as announced by World Athletics.

Interested runners can register now to secure early bird prices and your place on the start line at sydneymarathon.com