11 Jul 2023
Fastest marathon field assembled in Australian history for Sydney Marathon
The Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS has today announced the fastest and most decorated elite field for the 2023 Sydney Marathon, to be run on Sunday, 17 September. The field’s experience in World Championship and World Marathon Majors racing will make it the fastest marathon pack assembled in Australian history, with homegrown and international talent battling it out on the event’s new marathon course.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said the Sydney Marathon was a world-class event with one of the most spectacular marathon courses anywhere in the world.
“Sydney leads the pack when it comes to venues to host a marathon. No city on earth has a better combination of natural beauty, a famous love of sport and iconic landmarks and it is an honour to host this elite field of international runners who will test themselves here in Sydney.
“The NSW Government is proud to support the push for Sydney Marathon to become a World Marathon Major. It is a great example of a high-participation community event that brings global attention and tourism benefits for the city and NSW.”
The 2022 Men’s World Marathon Champion Tamirat Tola (ETH), will headline the men’s field; competing in Australia for the first time with a personal best of 2:03:39. Formidable contender Gabriel Geay (TAN), who placed 2nd at the 2023 Boston Marathon has the fastest personal best of the field at 2:03:00. They will line up alongside Moses Kibet (KEN), Sydney Marathon’s defending champion and the current record holder for the fastest marathon time ever run in Australia.
Australia’s fastest ever marathoner, Brett Robinson (VIC), who broke Rob de Castella’s long-standing Australian Record in Fukuoka last year with a time of 2:07:31 will lead the homegrown elite field.
The 2022 World Marathon Championship runner-up and 2022 Paris Marathon Champion, Judith Jeptum Korir (KEN) will make her Australian debut at the Sydney Marathon, with a personal best of 2:18:20. She will be chased by an impressive line-up of competitors who have recorded times under 2:23:00 including Nazret Weldu (ERI), Haven Hailu (ETH) and Angela Tanui (KEN) who has a blistering personal best time of 2:17:57.
Australian Marathon record holder, Sinead Diver (VIC), who broke the Australian marathon record last year in Valencia with a time of 2:21:34 will lead the local elite field, making her Sydney Marathon debut for the first time in 2023.
"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.”
The Sydney Marathon and its candidacy for the Abbott World Marathon Majors series is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
Register now to secure early bird prices and your place on the start line on Sunday 17 September 2023 at sydneymarathon.com.
MEN’S ELITE FIELD
NAME PERSONAL BEST COUNTRY WORLD RANKING
Tamirat Tola 2:03:39 Ethiopia #3
Gabriel Geay 2:03:00 Tanzania #9
Amdemework Walelegn 2:05:27 Ethiopia #22
Moses Kibet 2:05:20 Kenya #33
Brett Robinson 2:07:31 Australia #104
WOMEN’S ELITE FIELD
NAME PERSONAL BEST COUNTRY WORLD RANKING
Judith Jeptum Korir 2:18:04 Kenya #3
Angela Tanui 2:17:57 Kenya #15
Nazret Weldu 2:20:29 Eritrea #16
Haven Hailu 2:20:19 Ethiopia #18
Sinead Diver 2:21:34 Australia #143
-ENDS-
EVENT IMAGES - here
ATHLETE IMAGES - here
B-ROLL - here
MAP – here
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ABOUT SYDNEY MARATHON
Australia’s largest running event, the Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS, returns with its spectacular courses on Sunday,17 September 2023. Thousands of participants of all fitness levels will take the opportunity to walk, run and wheel across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge traffic-free.
The only running event in Australia to be broadcast live each year, the Sydney Marathon boasts four unforgettable races with participation from over 66 countries and has raised over $25 million dollars for charitable organisations since its inception.
The Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is set to become Australia’s largest marathon and is the sole remaining participant legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is the first event in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve the highly prestigious World Athletics Platinum Label, as announced by World Athletics. As a World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race, the Sydney Marathon was ranked eighth in the world in 2022, becoming one of the leading global road races.
Sydney Marathon and its candidacy for Abbott World Marathon Majors is supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The event is owned by Athletics Australia and managed by Pont3.
ABOUT ABBOTT WORLD MARATHON MAJORS
The Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.
Encompassing an annual series for elite runners and elite wheelchair athletes, AbbottWMM also applauds the achievements and passion of everyday champions from around the world. The AbbottWMM Six Star System is an online results hub that celebrates every runner who has completed from one to six of the races in the series and encourages them to 'Reach for the Stars'.
Media contacts:
Karri Graf Sophie Walton
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