Reigning world marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir was in a class of her own at the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, producing a polished display to storm to the title on her debut over the Australian course.
Jepchirchir breasted the tape in 2:18:31, narrowly missing the women’s course record of 2:18:22 set by Dutch star Sifan Hassan last year by just nine seconds.
The Kenyan spearheaded a memorable Kenyan 1-2 finish, with 2017 world cross-country champion Irine Cheptai claiming second place in 2:22:11, while Ethiopia’s Shure Demise completed the podium in 2:22:33.
Veteran Priscah Cherono narrowly missed out on the podium, battling bravely to finish sixth in 2:23:49.
The Sydney triumph marked her first appearance on the roads since December 2025 and an emphatic return to marathon competition.
Jepchirchir raced just twice over the classic distance last season, but both outings were unforgettable.
She first captured the World Marathon title in Tokyo in September, clocking 2:24:43 to edge Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (2:24:45), while Uruguay’s Julia Paternain took bronze in 2:27:43.
She then wrapped up her campaign with a runner-up finish at the Valencia Marathon, timing 2:14:43 behind compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei, who won in 2:14:00, as Belgium’s Chloe Herbiet finished third in 2:20:38.
Meanwhile, the men’s race belonged to Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena, who obliterated the course record with a blistering 2:04:42. Compatriot Chimdessa Debele finished second in 2:04:46, while Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana completed the podium in 2:04:57.
It proved a difficult morning for the Kenyan men, with Vincent Ngetich placing seventh in 2:05:28, Kennedy Kimutai finishing ninth in 2:06:50, and Gilbert Kibet rounding out the top 10 in 2:07:13.