Kenyan world champion Peres Jepchirchir has delivered another win for Kenyan athletes after winning the women’s race at the 2026 Sydney Marathon.
Jepchirchir’s win adds a fourth major title to her record and helps lead a Kenyan one-two finish.
Jepchirchir crossed the finish line in 2:18:31, finishing more than three minutes ahead of compatriot Irine Cheptai, who clocked 2:22:11.
During the race, Jepchirchir missed the Sydney course record, finishing just nine seconds behind the 2:18:22 mark set by Ethiopia’s Sifan Hassan in 2025.
Ethiopia’s Shure Demise was third in the race, finishing at 2:22:33.
Following the victory, Jepchirchir earned approximately KSh12.9 million as the first-place finisher in the marathon.
Kenyan athlete Irine Cheptai received a reward of approximately KSh7.7 million, and the Kenyan athlete took home about KSh20.6 million for finishing in the top two positions in the women’s elite race.
Speaking in a finish-line interview, Peres Jepchirchir said the course was tough in the first half because of its hills and acknowledged that all participants were well prepared.
“All the ladies were prepared; I was prepared. But I was not sure I was going to come and win. But I’m so glad, and I’m so happy,” Peres Jepchirchir noted.
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About Peres Jepchirchir
Jepchirchir previously won the New York City Marathon in 2021, the Boston Marathon in 2022, and the London Marathon in 2024 before winning the Sydney Marathon.
In Sydney, Jepchirchir had to overcome an early challenge from fellow Kenyan Priscah Cherono before pulling away from Cheptai after the 30-kilometer mark.
The 32-year-old is also the reigning world marathon champion and won Olympic gold in the women’s marathon at the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her victory in Sydney came after a difficult period that saw her withdraw from the 2026 London Marathon because of a stress fracture.
Her marathon personal best is 2:14:43, recorded in Valencia in December 2025.
Irine Cheptai,
Cheptai, meanwhile, delivered an outstanding performance as she continued her transition from track and cross-country competition to the marathon.
The 34-year-old is a former World Cross Country champion, having won the senior women’s title in 2017.
She also won silver in the 10,000 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and represented Kenya at the Tokyo Olympics.
Cheptai moved into marathon running in 2024, winning the Hamburg Marathon on her debut before later recording a personal best of 2:17:51 when she finished third at the Chicago Marathon.
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Notable Athletes in the 2026 Sydney Marathon
The Kenyan women’s contingent had entered Sydney with several athletes, including Jepchirchir, Cheptai, Vivian Cheruiyot, Stella Chesang, Sharon Chelimo, Joyce Tele, Jackline Cherono, and Priscah Cherono.
Kenyan athlete Priscah Cherono finished sixth in 2:23:49, recording a personal best after challenging the first placeholder Jepchirchir in the race.
In the men’s race, Kenyan athlete Vincent Ngetich finished seventh in 2:05:28, followed by Kennedy Kimutai in ninth in 2:06:50 and Gilbert Kibet in 10th in 2:07:13.
Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena claimed the title after running 2:04:42, breaking the Sydney Marathon course record.
The 21-year-old finished three seconds ahead of compatriot Chimdessa Debele, who recorded 2:04:46, while Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana finished third in 2:04:57.
Gobena’s victory also came with a KSh16.1 million reward, which included a prize for winning the race and an additional course-record bonus.
Addisu Gobena also won the 2024 Dubai Marathon and finished second at the 2025 Sydney Marathon before returning this year to claim the title and break the course record.
2026 Sydney Marathon
The 2026 Sydney Marathon was the event’s second year as an Abbott World Marathon Major, following its elevation to the prestigious series in 2025.
According to the marathon officials, more than 40,000 runners registered for t the 2026 race.
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