Running News Daily

American marathoner Ethan Shuley delivered another impressive performance on the international stage at the 2026 Sydney Marathon, clocking 2:08:34 to finish 13th overall and emerge as the top American in the men's race.

Competing against a deep international field, Shuley faced the demanding 42.195km Sydney course and produced a determined performance from start to finish. His official result placed him 13th among the elite men and confirmed him as the highest-finishing American in the race.

After crossing the finish line, Shuley was candid about the challenge presented by the course, saying: “This is probably the hardest course I’ve done.” His reaction reflected the physical toll of a route known for its rolling terrain and demanding climbs.

Although the race did not produce a new personal best, Shuley once again demonstrated his ability to compete strongly at the highest level. Earlier this year, he made a major breakthrough by running 2:07:14 at the Osaka Marathon, establishing himself among the leading American marathoners.

His 2:08:34 performance in Sydney adds another important result to an already impressive 2026 campaign. Delivering such a strong time on a challenging course against world-class opposition further highlighted both his resilience and growing consistency over the marathon distance.

For Shuley, the result was about more than simply finishing as the top American. It was another statement that his rise in the marathon is continuing. With his breakthrough performances now being followed by consistent results on the global stage, Ethan Shuley is increasingly establishing himself as one of the American marathoners to watch in the years ahead.

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir has added another prestigious chapter to her remarkable marathon career, claiming victory at the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS in an impressive 2:18:31.

The reigning world champion and former Olympic champion produced a commanding performance on the streets of Sydney, securing another major victory and further strengthening her reputation as one of the most accomplished marathoners of her generation.

Jepchirchir’s winning time was just nine seconds shy of Sifan Hassan’s Sydney course record of 2:18:22, set at the 2025 edition. Although the record remained intact, the Kenyan once again demonstrated her ability to perform with precision and confidence on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

She won the race with a performance defined by patience, poise and remarkable composure. Rather than being drawn into unnecessary battles in the early stages, Jepchirchir appeared to run with confidence, gradually asserting her authority as the kilometres passed. Her rhythm remained smooth and controlled, her focus unwavering, and when the decisive moments arrived, she had the strength and composure to take command. It was a victory crafted with intelligence, executed with elegance and finished with the unmistakable authority of a true champion.

More significantly, the triumph marks Jepchirchir’s fourth Abbott World Marathon Majors victory. She had previously conquered New York, Boston and London, and her Sydney success now adds another prestigious Major title to an already extraordinary résumé.

Behind the champion, compatriot Irine Cheptai completed an impressive Kenyan one-two, crossing the finish line in 2:22:11. Ethiopia's Shure Demise secured the final place on the podium with a strong run of 2:22:32, as Kenya and Ethiopia once again demonstrated their extraordinary depth in elite women's marathon running.

Ethiopia's Haven Hailu finished fourth in 2:22:56, followed by compatriot Meseret Abebayehu in fifth with 2:23:40. Kenya's Priscah Cherono took sixth place in 2:23:49, narrowly ahead of Uganda's Stella Chesang, who clocked 2:23:51 for seventh.

The race also featured a notable performance from home favourite Ellie Pashley, who battled her way into the top 10. The Australian finished ninth in 2:28:27, giving the home crowd a strong athlete to celebrate in an elite field dominated by East African runners.

2026 Sydney Marathon – Top 10 Women's Results

  1. Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) – 2:18:31

  2. Irine Cheptai (Kenya) – 2:22:11

  3. Shure Demise (Ethiopia) – 2:22:32

  4. Haven Hailu (Ethiopia) – 2:22:56

  5. Meseret Abebayehu (Ethiopia) – 2:23:40

  6. Priscah Cherono (Kenya) – 2:23:49

  7. Stella Chesang (Uganda) – 2:23:51

  8. Fikrte Wereta (Ethiopia) – 2:25:18

  9. Ellie Pashley (Australia) – 2:28:27

  10. Aberu Ayana (Ethiopia) – 2:28:29

For Jepchirchir, Sydney represents far more than another race victory. It is another demonstration of the consistency, resilience and championship mentality that have defined her career. From Olympic glory to world championship success and now another Major triumph, she continues to strengthen her place among the most accomplished marathoners of her era.

The Sydney Marathon has rapidly established itself as one of the most significant races on the global marathon calendar, and Jepchirchir’s victory adds another memorable chapter to its growing history.

As the champion crossed the finish line beneath Sydney’s iconic skyline, she celebrated another remarkable achievement in a career that continues to evolve with every major challenge.

From Olympic champion to world champion, from New York and Boston to London and now Sydney, Peres Jepchirchir continues to turn the world’s greatest marathons into stages for her brilliance. Sydney has a new champion, and another extraordinary chapter has been added to the story of one of marathon running’s finest competitors. 

Four Abbott World Marathon Majors conquered. One extraordinary legacy still being written.

From Jepchirchir's dominant victory to another fiercely competitive East African showdown and Pashley's determined top-10 finish on home soil, the 2026 Sydney Marathon delivered a memorable showcase of world-class women's distance running. And at the centre of it all stood Peres Jepchirchir—once again wearing the crown.

Addisu Gobena has completed a remarkable transformation from javelin thrower to marathon champion, returning to Sydney one year after finishing runner-up and this time producing a spectacular victory in a new course-record time of 2:04:42.

The 21-year-old Ethiopian delivered a performance to remember at the 2026 Sydney Marathon, breaking away from a fiercely competitive field and crossing the finish line in 2:04:42 to claim the men's title.

In the process, Gobena obliterated the previous course record of 2:06:06, improving it by 1 minute and 24 seconds. The result represents another extraordinary step in the rapid rise of an athlete whose path to marathon success is anything but conventional.

Gobena was still competing as a javelin thrower until 2023 before turning his attention fully towards distance running. What followed has been an astonishing transformation. Within a remarkably short period, the young Ethiopian progressed from the field-event sector to the highest level of road racing, developing into a formidable marathoner.

His breakthrough came at the 2024 Dubai Marathon, where he won on his marathon debut in 2:05:01. He then continued to establish himself among Ethiopia's promising young distance runners, eventually returning to Sydney in 2025, where he finished second behind compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros.

That runner-up finish clearly left unfinished business.

One year later, Gobena returned to the streets of Sydney with a different objective — and this time, he finished the job. His 2:04:42 not only secured the victory but also rewrote the course record in emphatic fashion.

The battle behind him was equally extraordinary.

Fellow Ethiopian Chimdessa Debele Gudeta produced a phenomenal run to finish second in 2:04:46, just four seconds behind Gobena. Behind them, Tebello Ramakongoana of Lesotho delivered another outstanding performance, taking third place in 2:04:57 and setting a new national record. His achievement was particularly remarkable as he finished on the same time as fourth-placed Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania, underlining just how extraordinary the battle for the podium had become.

The depth of the elite field was evident throughout the race, with the top five athletes all breaking 2:05. Ethiopia's Jemal Mekonnen took fifth in 2:04:59, while compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros followed in sixth with 2:05:16.

Kenya's Vincent Ngetich produced a strong performance to finish seventh in 2:05:27, while Ethiopia continued its impressive presence in the leading positions. Kenyan athletes Kennedy Kimutai and Gilbert Kibet also finished inside the top 10.

Australian hopes were led by Andrew Buchanan, who delivered a commendable home performance to finish 16th in 2:10:14.

2026 Sydney Marathon – Top 10 Men's Results

 1. Addisu Gobena (Ethiopia) – 2:04:42 – Event Record

 2. Chimdessa Debele Gudeta (Ethiopia) – 2:04:45

 3. Tebello Ramakongoana (Lesotho) – 2:04:57 – National Record

 4. Alphonce Simbu (Tanzania) – 2:04:57

 5. Jemal Mekonnen (Ethiopia) – 2:04:59

 6. Hailemaryam Kiros (Ethiopia) – 2:05:16

 7. Vincent Ngetich (Kenya) – 2:05:27

 8. Dawit Wolde (Ethiopia) – 2:06:41

 9. Kennedy Kimutai (Kenya) – 2:06:50

 10. Gilbert Kibet (Kenya) – 2:07:13

For Gobena, the significance of the victory goes far beyond a medal and a course record. Just a few years ago, his athletic ambitions were centred on throwing the javelin. Today, he stands at the top of one of the world's major marathon stages, having produced a performance that places his name firmly among the sport's emerging stars.

His Sydney story has also come full circle. Last year, he had to settle for second. This time, he returned stronger, faster and determined to seize the moment.

From the javelin runway to 42.195 kilometres of marathon glory, Addisu Gobena has written one of the most remarkable chapters of his young career — and at only 21, his best may still be ahead of him. 

Sydney witnessed marathon racing of the very highest quality, with records falling, national pride soaring and the podium decided by the narrowest of margins. Gobena ultimately claimed the biggest prize, but the 2026 Sydney Marathon will be remembered for the extraordinary depth and intensity of a race that delivered one of the most thrilling finishes in the event's history.

Kenyan distance-running icon Vivian Cheruiyot is set to add another exciting chapter to her glittering career after confirming her participation in the 2026 Sydney Marathon, scheduled for August 30 in Australia.

The 42-year-old marathon star, who owns a personal best of 2:18:31, will line up against one of the strongest women's marathon fields ever assembled in Australia. Awaiting her is a mouthwatering showdown with fellow Kenyan and Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, promising fans a battle between two of the sport's finest competitors.

Cheruiyot arrives in Sydney with one of the most decorated résumés in the history of distance running. Across four Olympic Games, she has amassed an extraordinary collection of medals, winning Olympic gold in the 5,000m and silver in the 10,000m at the 2016 Rio Games, where she also set a new Olympic record in the 5,000m. She previously claimed silver in the 5,000m and bronze in the 10,000m at the 2012 London Olympics, cementing her place among Kenya's greatest track athletes.

Her success extends well beyond the Olympic stage. Cheruiyot is a multiple-time world champion, capturing the 5,000m world title in 2009 and 2011, while also completing a memorable long-distance double by winning the 10,000m world crown in 2011 before reclaiming the event's global title in 2015. She also earned silver in the 5,000m at the 2007 World Championships and has enjoyed success indoors with a silver medal in the 3,000m at the 2010 World Indoor Championships.

In addition to her global championship triumphs, Cheruiyot dominated the 2010 season by securing the Commonwealth Games, African Championships, Continental Cup, and Diamond League titles over 5,000 metres, further highlighting her remarkable consistency and versatility.

Although now competing in the marathon, Cheruiyot continues to prove that class and determination know no age. Her experience, tactical brilliance, and championship pedigree make her one of the standout names in an elite field packed with world-class talent.

With the Sydney Marathon continuing to establish itself as one of the world's premier road races, all eyes will be on Vivian Cheruiyot as the legendary Kenyan seeks to produce another memorable performance on Australian soil.