HASSAN -KIROS- HONOR : SYDNEY MARATHON

UNTOUCHABLE Olympic champion Sifan Hassan shattered the course record Sunday to surge home first in an historic Sydney Marathon, with Hailemaryam Kiros matching her feat in the men's race.  

Run for the first time as one of the elite World Marathon Majors, Hassan was utterly dominant, clocking a blistering 2hrs 18min 22sec ahead of Kenya’s former world record holder Brigid Kosgei (2:18.56).

Ethiopia’s Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa, who came third, won the race last year in a then-record time, but Dutch multi-distance superstar Hassan obliterated it by more than three minutes.

Hassan, who will skip September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after opting to prioritise Sydney, admitted she almost misjudged her race.

'' I pushed too hard and I learnt a lesson,'' said the Ethiopian-born 32-year-old who has also won majors at London and Chicago. '' I was so done that last 10K.

Kiros also produced a new record time, crossing the finishing line at the Sydney Opera House in 2:06:06, 10 seconds clear of fellow Ethiopian Addisu Gobena, a star of the future aged just 20.

Asked if he expected to break the course record, Kiros said:  

'' Yes, because I prepared well.''

The World Students Society thanks AFP.