Wheelchair racing superstar Madison de Rozario has capped an emotion-charged few weeks with a dominant victory in the Sydney marathon, while Kenya’s Brimin Misoi and Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa of Ethiopia set the fastest times ever recorded on Australian soil in the men’s and women’s able-bodied races.
Just days after returning home from the Paris Paralympics, De Rozario crossed the finish line in one hour 54 minutes 10 seconds, more than a quarter of an hour ahead of her closest challenger, fellow Australian Christie Dawes (2:09:18).
The 30-year-old rode an emotional rollercoaster at the Paris Paralympics. Only hours after carrying the Australian flag at the opening ceremony, she learnt that her father Ray had died.
After debating whether to return straight home, De Rozario made the call to remain in Paris where she won silver in the marathon and bronze in the 5000m.
The elite able-bodied events at the Sydney marathon on Sunday were dominated by runners from traditional long-distance running powerhouses Kenya and Ethiopia.
Misoi won the men’s race in 2:06:18, well ahead of ahead of Ethiopian Chalu Gelmiso (2:08:02) and fellow Kenyan Felix Kirwa (2:08:18).
Gurmesa (2:21:41) was a runaway winner of the women’s event as she led an Ethiopian sweep of the podium positions. Gemma Maini was the leading Australian in ninth place in 2:40:45.
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, alongside races in New York, Boston, Chicago, London, Tokyo and Berlin. There were 25,000 competitors across all events, breaking the previous Australian marathon participation record of 17,000 set in the same event last year.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with today’s results, both on and off the course,” said race director Wayne Larden. “The record-breaking performances and the incredible turnout have truly cemented this year’s event as a milestone in Australian marathon history.”