Sydney Marathon submits bid for Eliud Kipchoge
Australia's Sydney Marathon is poised to become the next World Marathon Major, but they are hoping to get some help from the world record holder
Photo by:
Kevin Morris
The Abbott World Marathon Majors are looking to expand to a seventh marathon by 2025, and Australia’s Sydney Marathon is trying to make a pitch AbbottWMM can not resist by recruiting the GOAT, Eliud Kipchoge, to their 2024 race. On Sunday, Sydney Marathon race officials said that they are in talks with the double Olympic champion to help them secure a prestigious new status as a world major marathon.
The Sydney Marathon announced its candidacy in July, and the evaluation process runs for three years. It is regarded as the strongest candidate, ahead of South Africa’s Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and China’s Chengdu Marathon. The race had some minor issues in the 2022 event, as many complained about the narrow and winding finish in Sydney’s Harbour (see video).
To become an Abbott World Marathon Major, the race must meet specific criteria on participation, organization, certification, sustainability and legacy for two years in a row over the next three years before it can be upgraded. The tourism and brilliance components are well covered by the race, with the route including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the renowned Opera House at the finish line.
Sydney will also have to increase its finishers to 15,000 and increase the number of spectators. According to The Sydney Herald, the marathon had 5,000 participants in 2022.
Kipchoge is coming off a world record-breaking 2:01:09 performance at the 2022 Berlin Marathon, and has plans to run Boston for the first time this spring. If he wins the Boston Marathon this April, the only major title he would be missing is the NYC Marathon in November. Kipchoge has been clear that his goal is to become the first marathoner to win three straight Olympic titles and all six World Marathon Majors (he currently has four of six).
On Jan. 9, the tentative schedule for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games was released, and the men’s marathon will take place at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, only one month before the Sydney Marathon 2024 date.
Although Kipchoge has yet to respond to the invitation, it is unlikely the 38-year-old will race Down Under only one month after his quest for his third straight Olympic gold.
You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take, righto Sydney?
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