Sydney Marathon suffers from heat during first evaluation from World Marathon Majors

The Sydney Marathon took place over the weekend in unpredictably warm conditions. The region is suffering from an unexpected spring heat wave. Temperatures peaked at around 32 Celsius or 90 Fahrenheit. Not ideal marathon conditions.

Regardless, the race was run which caused 26 competitors to head to the hospital. At the end of the day, it was former Kenyan, Betsy Saina, now running for the US who won. She held off a late surge from Ethiopia’s Rahma Tusa to take it in the time of 2:26:47. Moroccan Othmane El Goumri won the men’s race in 2:08:20.

The marathon is a fragile affair. It’s a discipline perched on the precipice of testing boundaries yet respecting limits, and seldom are those who strike a greater balance than Sinead Diver.#ThisIsAthleticshttps://t.co/7LxjTzHRH5

— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) September 12, 2023

With a late surge, Laban Kipngetich Korir of Kenya took second in 2:08:43. Ethiopian Getaneh Molla Tamire took third well back at 2:11:22. The top Australian was Brett Robinson who clocked a 2:23:05 performance.

El Goumri set a new national record in March this year at 2:05:12 in Barcelona.

In the women’s race, behind Saina finishing in second place, was Rahma Tusa Chota in 2:26:53. Gladys Chesir Kiptaggelai followed for third in 2:28:41. The top Australian was 46-year-old Sinead Driver who continues to defy aging having finished in 2:31:27 taking the eighth position. Currently, she holds the Oceania record of 2:21:34 which she set last year in Valencia.

World Marathon Majors candidate

Sydney is the first marathon in Oceania to be nominated as a candidate race to join the current slate of six marathons as a Major. The current races are Tokyo, London, Chicago, Berlin, Boston and New York.
 
There is a multi-year evaluation process by the organization.
 
To become a Major, the Sydney Marathon will be required to meet strict criteria over a three-year period.

“We have always believed that the Blackmores Sydney Marathon has what it takes to be an Abbott World Marathon Major, so becoming one of only three candidate races is a tremendous honour”, said Wayne Larden, Race Director, Sydney Marathon.

“The Sydney Marathon is part of Australia’s largest running festival, the Sydney Running Festival, attracting thousands of participants to run across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and finish under the sails of the Sydney Opera House each year.

“We can now take a huge leap forward and become one of the most iconic running events in the World and achieving this status would be a tremendous boost for Sydney and Australia.  Australia is a proud sporting nation, and we want to call on all of Australia’s runners from all over the country and runners from overseas to support the Sydney Marathon achieve the criteria to become an Abbott World Marathon Major in Sydney”

The weather tested the organizers in their ability to deal with heat-related issues. Over 40 were treated for issues related to heat at the site. Two dozen went to the hospital.

Results

Men

Women