Marathon

Sydney Marathon Abbott World Marathon Major

Sydney Marathon Becomes 7th Abbott World Marathon Major

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The Abbott World Marathon Majors series has officially welcomed a new race — the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by Asics. This inclusion elevates the annual race in Sydney to a world stage, where it joins the elite group of marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. With this announcement, Sydney becomes the first World Marathon Major on the Australian continent, marking a historic moment for global marathon racing.

Starting in 2025, runners from around the world will descend upon Sydney to conquer a course that promises to showcase Australia’s vibrant cityscape and coastline. Specific race details, including the official date, are yet to be confirmed. However, the excitement within the running community is palpable. Dawna Stone, CEO of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM), expressed her enthusiasm: “We cannot wait to see our community embrace this race and start planning their visits to run the streets of one of the finest cities in the world.” Stone also encouraged runners to look forward to the unique “Sydney star,” the latest achievement in the Six Star journey.

The coveted Six Star Medal, awarded to runners who complete all six current Majors, will continue to honor this tradition even as Sydney is added. For marathoners, Sydney’s addition paves the way toward an ambitious Nine Star Medal. Two additional races — Cape Town in South Africa and Shanghai in China — are potential contenders for future inclusion in 2026 and 2027, pending assessment.

Next year’s Sydney Marathon will count as a qualifying race, allowing runners to start the journey to a Nine Star achievement. Abbott has introduced a new collectible range of coins, with frames for display, to commemorate each completed race. Chris Miller, Divisional Vice President of Brand Strategy and Innovation at Abbott, captured the significance of these new milestones: “More milestones to celebrate down the road.”

For marathon enthusiasts, Sydney’s addition means more than just another finish line. It symbolizes a journey toward personal bests, new challenges, and lifelong health pursuits in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

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Chicago Marathon 2024

Historic Wins and Heartfelt Tributes at Chicago Marathon 2024

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The Chicago Marathon 2024 took center stage this Sunday, October 13, with thousands of runners ready to make their mark. As the finish line welcomed countless finishers, one absence was deeply felt—Kelvin Kiptum, the man who made marathon history on these very streets last year, was no longer with us.

kelvin kiptum chicago marathon 2024

In 2023, Kiptum stunned the world by running a mind-blowing 2:00:35, setting a new marathon world record and becoming the first man to finish in under two hours and one minute. Tragically, only months after achieving this milestone, Kiptum and his coach were killed in a car accident in Kenya.

Before the race began, marathon organizers honored Kiptum with a moment of silence, paying tribute to his incredible legacy. In a statement shared earlier, they wrote, “The 2 hours and 35 seconds Kelvin spent on these streets last October will be forever etched into the history of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. As we look to the start line today, we remember his remarkable achievement and what could have been.”

Kiptum’s absence didn’t go unnoticed. Every runner who stepped up to the start line carried a part of his legacy, as his impact on the sport continues to inspire.

Ruth Chepngetich Smashes Women's World Record

The Chicago Marathon 2024 wasn’t just about reflection—it was also about making history. While the women’s elite field promised excitement, few expected to witness a world record, let alone a performance that would redefine women’s marathon racing.

Ruth Chepngetich came into the race determined to make her mark, and from the very start, she did just that. Pulling away from her competitors early, she reached the halfway point at a blistering pace of 1:04:16, not only setting a new record for American soil but also marking one of the fastest half-marathon splits ever recorded by a woman.

Despite slowing down slightly in the second half, the crowds pushed her forward. When she crossed the finish line in 2:09:57, Chepngetich became the first woman to break the 2:10:00 barrier, a monumental achievement that is often likened to a man breaking the two-hour marathon. Her emotions were clear in the post-race interview, where she dedicated her victory and record to her late compatriot, Kelvin Kiptum.

John Korir Claims the Men’s Title

In the men’s race, Kenya’s John Korir took control when it mattered most. The pacers set an initial pace for a 2:04:00 marathon, with a tight pack of elite runners sticking together through the 30K mark. Once the pacers stepped aside, Korir shifted gears, surging ahead of the field.

His move was decisive. Within 5K, Korir opened up a 30-second gap, which continued to widen. He crossed the line in 2:02:43, earning his first major marathon victory and posting the second-fastest time in Chicago Marathon 2024 history—behind only Kelvin Kiptum’s record-setting run.

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