The largest marathon ever to take place in Australia occurred over the heat-filled weekend and saw Australia’s own Madison de Rozario win the Sydney Marathon women’s wheelchair title on her first attempt.
The multiple Paralympic and Commonwealth champion crossed the line outside of the Sydney Opera House in a speedy time of one hour 59 minutes and 41 seconds.
“We’re thrilled by the tremendous response to the Sydney Marathon today, where Australian champion Madison de Rozario claimed the title in her Sydney Marathon debut,” said Wayne Larden, Sydney Marathon Race Director.
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest athletes, de Rozario’s Sydney Marathon debut comes after having previously won the TCS London Marathon (2018 and 2023) and TCS New York City Marathon (2021).
Following behind de Rozario, in a distant second place finish, was Japan’s Tsubasa Kina in a time of 2:11:41. Michelle Wheeler from the US came in third place with a time of 2:25:07.
Other wins for Australia came from the elite able-bodied events. The national record holder Sinead Diver crossed the finish line in 8th place (2:31:27), and Australia’s fastest male marathon runner Brett Robinson came in 8th as well (2:23:05).
This is the second year of a three-year candidacy for the Sydney Marathon to become the seventh World Marathon Major– a title claimed by races in New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Tokyo and Berlin. It’s an opportunity for the Sydney event to become a major annual tourism event.
Despite the unseasonably hot weather over the weekend, this year’s Sydney Marathon saw 17,000 take to the streets, making it the largest marathon in Australia ever.
Larden said: “Achieving the record of Australia’s largest marathon is a testament to the passion and dedication of runners from all over the world, coming to Sydney to support our bid to become the next Abbott World Marathon Major.”