Misoi and Gurmesa break records at Sydney marathon

SYDNEY (AP) — Kenyan athlete Brimin Misoi and Ethipoa's Workanesh Gurmesa surged to record-breaking victories at the Sydney marathon on Sunday, which had over 25,000 participants for the first time.

Misoi won the men's race in two hours, six minutes and 18 seconds, the fastest time ever recorded in Australia, and finshed almost two minutes clear of Ethiopian Chalu Gelmiso (2:08:02) and fellow Kenyan Felix Kirwa (2:08:18).

Workenesh Gurmesa (2:21:41) led an Ethiopian sweep of the podium positions in the women's race and bettered the previous best time by Japan's Naoko Takahashi (2:23:14) set at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Australian Madison de Rozario (1:54:09) won the women's wheelchair race just days after returning from the Paris Paralympics where she won silver in the marathon to go with a bronze in the 5000 meters.

The men’s wheelchair race was won by Canadian Joshua Cassidy (1:38:35).

The Sydney marathon is bidding to join the World Marathon Majors series, a series of elite events that includes New York, London, Berlin, Boston, Tokyo and Chicago.

On Sunday, there were 25,000 competitors across all events, breaking the previous Australian marathon participation record of 17,000 set at last year's event.

The marathon route takes in some of the most historic landmarks in Australia’s biggest city, including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

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The Associated Press