Back in 2000, marathoners ran into Olympic history under Sydney’s crisp spring sky. Twenty-five years later, they’re back with the Sydney Marathon. Now, the stakes are higher, the field is deeper, and the spotlight is global. What started as a scenic city run is now the newest World Marathon Major, drawing legends like Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan. Prize money’s grown, the course is faster, and cameras are rolling worldwide. Sydney’s not chasing the big leagues anymore—it’s joined them. So, let’s study it more deeply.

What Is the Prize Money for the Sydney Marathon 2025?

The 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon isn’t just making history, it’s backing Aussie runners like never before. For the first time, there’s a record $135,000 AUD prize pool set aside exclusively for Australian athletes. It’s the biggest domestic marathon prize ever in the country, and it’s all about raising the bar for homegrown talent.

Here’s how it breaks down.

The top Aussie man and woman each take home $30,000 for first place. Meanwhile, second place receives $20,000, third earns $10,000, fourth gets $5,000, and fifth picks up $2,500. That’s the full split, and there are no extended top-10 prizes or separate age group awards. Just clean, focused rewards for elite performance.

But there’s a little extra motivation on the table, too. If someone breaks the current Australian marathon record, Andy Buchanan’s 2:06:22 for men or Sinead Diver’s 2:21:34 for women, they’ll score an additional $10,000 bonus. That’s on top of their placement prize.

However, there’s no mention of international prize money yet, but this Aussie-only fund is clearly the headline. And it’s not just about money, it’s a statement. Sydney’s now an official Abbott World Marathon Major, and this move shows it’s serious about developing elite talent right here at home.

For many Aussie runners, this isn’t just another marathon. It’s a rare chance to race on home soil, in front of home crowds, for life-changing money—and a real legacy.

Now, with that, let’s find out about last year’s marathon.

Who Won the Sydney Marathon 2024?

Sydney’s 2024 marathon was fast, brutal, beautiful, and yet so absolutely stacked. Kenya’s Brimin Kipkorir Misoi tore through the course in 2:06:17, grabbed the win. He held off Ethiopia’s Chalu Deso Gelmisa, who crossed in 2:08:01. Just 16 seconds later, Felix Kiptoo Kirwa of Kenya came in for third.

Misoi’s time was a course record. Legs burning, wind howling across the harbor, yet he held steady and charged hard through the final 10K.

The women’s race was also all Ethiopians. Workenesh Edesa Gurmessa claimed victory in 2:21:40, a gutsy solo run. Behind her, Ruti Aga Sora chased hard but couldn’t close the gap, finishing in 2:23:09. Third went to Gotytom Gebreslase Teklezgi, clocking 2:24:16.

It was a masterclass in pacing from Gurmessa. No panic, no waste. Just rhythm. She surged at 30K and never looked back. Notably, the Aussies showed heart.

Gemma Maini placed ninth in 2:40:44, the top local finisher. Not a podium, but a solid grind in a world-class field.

The men’s race saw Japanese runners push into the top ten. Tetsuya Yoroizaka finished fourth, with Ken Nakayama close behind in fifth. Now, talking about the conditions, it was decent, cool start, warmer finish—but the course remained unforgiving. It winds, it climbs, and it doesn’t give anything for free.

Still, the times proved Sydney belongs with the big names. The world’s newest World Marathon Major didn’t disappoint. In fact, it might’ve just outshone some of the old guard. But, do you know that even this time the Marathon belongs to some big names?

Who Are the Top Marathon Runners to Watch in the Sydney Marathon 2025?

All eyes are on Sydney this year, and yeah, there’s a good reason.

Eliud Kipchoge is finally coming to Australia. The marathon GOAT, a two-time Olympic champ, is chasing his sixth World Marathon Major star. At 40, he’s not done yet. After a tough DNF in Paris, he’s got something to prove—again. And Sydney’s hilly course could be his redemption road.

He won’t be alone, as Kenya’s Vincent Ngetich, the young gun who podiumed in Berlin, is bringing serious heat. Birhanu Legese, Ethiopia’s two-time Tokyo champ, is back too. Veteran pace. Still deadly.

Edward Cheserek, the 17-time NCAA king, is also in—don’t sleep on him. He’s hungry. And fast. Real fast.

Also in the mix, Dawit Wolde, is fresh off a win in Xiamen. Deep field. Brutal stakes. Meanwhile, the women’s race is equally stacked.

Sifan Hassan, the Olympic champ, middle-distance legend turned marathon beast, is leading the charge. She took third in London but isn’t done climbing. Well, watch her work.

Brigid Kosgei, the former world record holder, is finally making her Sydney debut. She’s won everywhere: London, Chicago, Tokyo. You name it. And let’s not forget Workenesh Edesa. She’s back to defend her title after torching the course in 2024 with a 2:21:41—the fastest time in Australia since Sydney 2000.

Throw in Meseret Belete and Ashete Bekere, and Ethiopia’s got serious depth. But, locally, Jessica Stenson carries Aussie hopes. This won’t be a jog. It’ll be a war. But do you know why the Sydney Marathon attracts big names?

Why Is the Sydney Marathon Attracting More Elite Athletes?

Sydney’s marathon isn’t just growing, it’s exploding. And the elites have noticed. It starts with the big headline: “World Marathon Majors” status. Sydney just became the seventh member, joining legends like London and Boston. That label alone changes everything—visibility, prestige, athlete draw. It’s no longer just a fast Aussie race; it’s a global stage.

Then there’s the course. Scenic, yes, Harbour Bridge, Opera House, ocean views. But it’s also legit fast. Ask Brimin Misoi and Workenesh Edesa, who ran record times in 2024.

Money talks, too. The prize purse has grown fast, with $135,000 AUD reserved just for Australians in 2025. International pros get more, with bonuses rumored for records and wins. Sponsorships from ASICS and TCS mean deeper pockets, better conditions, and stronger athlete support.

And now? It’s streamed globally. Every step is broadcast live. That means more visibility, more sponsors, and more motivation to show up fit and hungry. Kipchoge’s in. So is Hassan. Kosgei. Legese. Ngetich. Names that don’t just win—they define eras.

The bottom line is that Sydney’s no longer a warm-up race. It’s a proving ground. And in 2025, nobody wants to miss their shot.