The race began at 6:30 a.m. Canberra time on 31/8. Runners competed in ideal conditions: light sunshine with cool temperatures between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius.

The women's race started at a fast pace, with the leading group comprising Hassan, former record holder Brigid Kosgei, and defending champion Workenesh Edesa. The trio passed the halfway mark (21.0975 km) together in 1 hour 10 minutes and 1 second and remained close at the 30 km mark.

Sifan Hassan wins the 2025 Sydney Marathon on 31/8. Photo: EPA

Sifan Hassan wins the 2025 Sydney Marathon on 31/8. Photo: EPA

The turning point came at the 35 km mark when Hassan accelerated, creating a significant gap between herself, Kosgei, and Edesa. Despite some difficulty on a downhill section, the Dutch runner maintained her advantage and finished with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 22 seconds, breaking the previous record of 2 hours 21 minutes and 40 seconds set by Workenesh Edesa last year.

Kosgei finished second with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 56 seconds. This was the first time two female athletes ran under 2 hours and 20 minutes in Australia. Edesa finished third with 2 hours 22 minutes and 15 seconds, while Sichala Kumeshi (Ethiopia) placed fourth with 2 hours 22 minutes and 50 seconds.

"I am very happy to be the first champion and to break the record," Hassan said. "The last 10 km, I felt completely exhausted. I started too fast and learned a valuable lesson. This is the toughest race I have won, even without any incidents. I learn something new after every race."

This is Hassan’s fourth marathon victory in just six races. The Dutch runner made her debut at the 2023 London Marathon, winning with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 33 seconds, a new national record. Later that year, Hassan won the Chicago Marathon with a personal best of 2 hours 13 minutes and 44 seconds. In 2024, she finished fourth in Tokyo with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 5 seconds due to a hydration issue.

Hassan's most successful year was 2024 at the Paris Olympics. In the French capital, the 32-year-old runner won bronze medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m before winning the women's marathon and setting a new Olympic record. Hassan became the second athlete to win three medals in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon at a single Olympics, following the late Czechoslovakian legend Emil Zatopek, who won three gold medals at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

In 4/2025, Hassan finished third in the London Marathon with a time of 2 hours and 19 minutes. Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa won the race with a time of 2 hours 15 minutes and 50 seconds, breaking the record in the women-only race.

The Sydney Marathon was first held in 2001. The course passes famous city landmarks: the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and Harbour Park. The race is held annually in September. 2025 marks the first time Sydney has hosted the event as the seventh major marathon.

Hong Duy