The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS has today unveiled the most competitive men’s elite field ever assembled on Australian soil, with 15 athletes holding personal bests equal or faster than the current course record, promising a thrilling showdown on race day. Leading the charge is Eliud Kipchoge (KEN), widely regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time. Kipchoge is the only human in history to run a marathon in under two hours, clocking 1:59:40 at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in 2019. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020) and an 11-time Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) champion, including victories at the TCS London Marathon (4x), BMW Berlin Marathon (5x), Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and Tokyo Marathon.
The former world-record holder is the second-fastest marathoner in history, with an official personal best of 2:01:09 set at the 2022 BMW Berlin Marathon. Joining Kipchoge on the start line is fellow Kenyan Vincent Ngetich (KEN), one of the most exciting young athletes in global distance running. At just 26 years of age, Ngetich is currently ranked No. 9 in the world and has never finished lower than fourth in an AbbottWMM. He burst onto the scene with a blistering 2:03:13 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, the third-fastest debut marathon in history, and has since backed it up with consecutive podium finishes in Tokyo, placing third in both the 2024 and 2025 editions of the race. With raw speed, proven consistency, and youth on his side, Ngetich looms as a serious contender for the top step of the podium in Sydney.
Another frontrunner is Dawit Wolde (ETH), who holds a personal best of 2:03:48 and recently claimed victory at the 2025 Xiamen Marathon, setting a new course record with a time of 2:06:06. An Olympian and World Championship finalist on the track, Wolde has successfully transitioned to the marathon and is now regarded as one of Ethiopia’s top long-distance prospects.
The depth of the elite male field is further bolstered by Birhanu Legese (ETH), a two-time Tokyo Marathon champion (2019, 2020) and member of the esteemed NN Running Team alongside Kipchoge. Legese holds the ninth fastest marathon time in history, 2:02:48 set at the Berlin Marathon in 2019. Also drawing attention is Edward Cheserek (KEN), a 17-time NCAA champion for the University of Oregon and now a rising force on the roads. In 2023 he made his marathon debut at the TCS New York City Marathon, finishing 8th in a time of 2:11:07, going on to clock an impressive 2:05:24 at the Valencia marathon in 2024.
Yuki Kawauchi (JPN), one of the most compelling and unconventional figures in marathon history, is heading to Sydney chasing an impressive seventh star. Known as the “Citizen Runner,” Kawauchi rose to fame as a full-time high school administrator who trained solo and raced marathons on weekends, famously refusing sponsorships to remain eligible as a civil servant. He stunned the world by winning the 2018 Boston Marathon in brutal conditions and now holds the Guinness World Record for most sub-2:20 marathons, having achieved the feat over 100 times. With a personal best of 2:07:27 and a reputation for consistency, grit and humility, Kawauchi continues to inspire runners globally and will no doubt be a fan favourite on the streets of Sydney.
TCS Sydney Marathon Race Director Wayne Larden said that the level of athletes descending on Australian shores was momentous: “When you look at the depth of this year’s men’s field, it’s not just star-studded and fast, it’s exceptionally deep.
“We have multiple athletes capable of running under the course record, rising stars on the brink of global breakthrough, and of course, Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner of all time. We’ve also focussed on Australian elites and it’s exciting to see so many top Aussies lining up alongside world-class internationals in our first year as an Abbott World Marathon Major.
“For Australian fans and athletes alike, this is a rare opportunity to witness the very edge of human performance unfold on home soil.”
Also joining the race are a strong cohort of Australian contenders, led by former national record holder Brett Robinson (AUS), 2:07:31, Olympian Liam Adams (AUS), 2:08:39 and rising talent Haftu Strintzos (AUS), who will make his TCS Sydney Marathon debut after an impressive NCAA career in the United States.
He will be joined by Tasmanian debutant Samuel Clifford (AUS), who is in outstanding form after breaking the Australian 10km road record in a time of 27:34 in Japan, followed by a Tasmanian Half Marathon record of 1:01:49 at the 2025 Gold Coast Half. Two-time national marathon champion Thomas Do Canto (AUS) and 2023 Melbourne Marathon winner Reece Edwards (AUS) complete the strong contingent of home-grown elites.
Jane Flemming OAM, President of Australian Athletics, said: “To have a field of this calibre competing in Sydney is extraordinary, not just for the sport, but for thousands of Australians including a formidable lineup of Australia’s top marathoners sharing the course with the best in the world.
These athletes’ performances shape the future of marathon running, and for many participants and spectators, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to race against and witness greatness up close; notably, the world’s greatest ever marathoner: a titan of sport, Eliud Kipchoge.
The TCS Sydney Marathon 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.
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