Korir and Kipchoge lead the NN Running Team challenge in Sydney

The NN Running Team secured two top ten placings at the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon, the first ever Abbott World Marathon Major to take place in the Southern Hemisphere.

Laban Korir, the runner-up at the 2023 race, was the pick of the NN Running Team athletes placing seventh in 2:08:06 with marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge settling for ninth in 2:08:31.

The race was won by Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros Kebedew in a course record and Australian all-comers record time of 2:06:06.

On a historic morning in Sydney the athletes set off in perfect temperatures of 8°C with the incomparable marathon maestro Kipchoge pursuing a record-extending 12th Abbott World Marathon Majors title.

Kipchoge, Korir and a third NN Running Team athlete Birhanu Legese all featured in a 15-strong lead pack during the first half of the race – which was reached in 1:03:44.

At little after 30km through Centennial Park, Korir stepped on the gas and strung out the field. Unfortunately for Kipchoge, he could not keep pace and quickly dropped off the back as the lead group which now contained seven athletes.

The race was to unravel around 35km as Kiros, the eventual race winner and his countryman Addisu Gobena Aga, quickly burst to the front and split the lead group wide open. Unfortunately, the hugely experienced Korir could not respond.

Korir, who made his marathon debut way back in 2011, finished seventh with Kipchoge – the only man in history to run a sub-two-hour marathon – back in ninth.

Post-race Kipchoge said: “It wasn’t my day today but Australia is on the right foot as far as far marathon running is concerned. I’m thankful to have played a part in the mission.”

The women’s race was secured by Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, who set a course record and Australian all-comers record of 2:18:22. Brigid Kosgei of Kenyan finished second in 2:18:56 with 2024 champion Workenesh Edesa third (2:22:15).