Sydney Marathon

Introduced in 2001, the Sydney Marathon followed the same course as the marathon during the 2000 Summer Olympics the previous year.[5] During that first year, the women's race was won by Krishna Stanton, who had never run a marathon before, and was doing the event as a result of a challenge from a friend.[5]

In 2014 the marathon was awarded a Silver Label Road Race by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), then in December 2014 the race was awarded a Gold Label Road Race [6] in time for the 2015 race.

The 2020 in-person edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all entries automatically transferred to 2021, and all registrants given the option of also running the race virtually for free.[lower-alpha 1][8][9]

The marathon course initially followed the same course that was used in the 2000 Summer Olympics.[5]

In 2010 the marathon course was changed to flatten it out which, according to the organisers, makes it "a faster, more scenic and spectator friendly course."[10]

The marathon runs on a point-to-point course that begins in Bradfield Park, Milsons Point, crosses over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and ends in front of the Sydney Opera House.[11]

To date, eight runners have competed in every Sydney Marathon, and have been dubbed "Blue Line Legends".[12]

In addition, runners who have completed at least 10 marathons are eligible to be inducted into the Bridge Club.[13][lower-alpha 2]

In addition to the marathon, a half marathon, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) "Bridge Run", and a 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) "Family Fun Run" are also held under the banner of the Sydney Running Festival.[14]

The Bridge Run was added in 2002, initially as a 10 km event, before being reduced to 9 km in 2005. The Bridge Run has since returned to being an AIMS certified 10 km distance.

All the races finish at the Sydney Opera House, except for the fun run, which ends at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music less than a kilometre from the Opera House.[4]

Key:    Course record

Year	Athlete	Nationality	Time[lower-alpha 3]	Athlete	Nationality	Time[lower-alpha 3]
	Male			Female
2020	cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic[8]
2019	Filex Kiprotich	Kenya	2:09:49	Stella Barsosio	Kenya	2:24:33
2018	Elijah Kemboi	Kenya	2:13:37	Mercy Kibarus	Kenya	2:31:24
2017	Shota Hattori	Japan	2:15:16	Makda Harun	Ethiopia	2:28:02
2016	Tomohiro Tanigawa	Japan	2:12:11	Makda Harun	Ethiopia	2:32:22
2015	Hisanori Kitajima	Japan	2:12:44	Meriem Wangari	Kenya	2:34:38
2014	Gebo Burka	Ethiopia	2:11:18	Biruktayit Degefa	Ethiopia	2:29:42
2013	Willy Koitile	Kenya	2:13:48	Biruktayit Degefa	Ethiopia	2:32:46
2012	Yuki Kawauchi	Japan	2:11:52	Mitsuko Hirose	Japan	2:48:49
2011	Joel Kemboi	Kenya	2:17:31	Letay Negash	Ethiopia	2:43:22
2010	Issac Serem	Kenya	2:25:17	Helen Stanton	Australia	2:49:58
2009	Julius Seurei	Kenya	2:17:07	Naoko Tsuchiya	Japan	2:52:46
2008	Julius Maritim	Kenya	2:19:01	Lisa Flint	Australia	2:47:43
2007	Julius Maritim	Kenya	2:14:38	Naoko Tsuchiya	Japan	2:43:10
2006	Julius Maritim	Kenya	2:19:51	Naoko Tsuchiya	Japan	2:48:44
2005	Julius Maritim	Kenya	2:21:47	Ruth Kingston	New Zealand	2:53:56
2004	Oswald Revelian	Tanzania	2:21:13	Rina Hill	Australia	2:39:46
2003	Oswald Revelian	Tanzania	2:26:01	Tausi Juma	Ethiopia	2:46:23
2002	Stephen Bwiret	Kenya	2:17:30	Heather Turland	Australia	2:51:06
2001	Damon Harris	New Zealand	2:25:49	Krishna Stanton	Australia	2:38:11

Source (up to 2018): "Previous Winners". Sydney Running Festival.

Multiple wins

Men's Athlete Wins Years  Julius Maritim (KEN) 4 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008  Oswald Revelian (TAN) 2 2003, 2004

Women's Athlete Wins Years  Naoko Tsuchiya (JPN) 3 2006, 2007, 2009  Biruktayit Degefa (ETH) 2 2013, 2014  Makda Harun (ETH) 2 2016, 2017

By country

Country	Total	Men's	Women's
Kenya	14	11	3
Japan	8	4	4
Ethiopia	7	1	6
Australia	5	0	5
New Zealand	2	1	1
Tanzania	2	2	0