Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s leading marathoners Alphonce Simbu and Magdalena Shauri will carry the country’s hopes into a star-studded TCS Sydney Marathon next Sunday, as they face some of the world’s best long-distance runners in the Australian city.
The race has gained added significance after Sydney was admitted to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, making it the seventh marathon in the prestigious series alongside Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Tokyo.
The development has attracted a stronger international field and gives Simbu and Shauri an opportunity to test themselves against the world’s elite.
Simbu goes into the race with considerable momentum and confidence after making history at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he became the first Tanzanian athlete to win a world marathon title. The 33-year-old has a personal best of 2:02:47 and has also finished runner-up at the Boston Marathon in both 2025 and 2026, underlining his ability to compete at the highest level.
The Tanzanian will face a formidable men's field led by Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma, whose personal best of 2:01:48 makes him the fastest entrant. Kenya’s Timothy Kiplagat, who has run 2:02:55, is another leading contender, while Vincent Ngetich brings extensive World Marathon Majors experience. Defending champion Hailemaryam Kiros of Ethiopia will also return after winning last year’s race in 2:06:06. Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana, who improved his personal best to 2:04:18 at this year’s Boston Marathon, adds further depth to the field.
The strength of the men's race is reflected by the numbers, with 25 athletes boasting personal bests below 2:10 and 14 having broken the 2:05 barrier. Simbu’s experience, however, means he is unlikely to be intimidated by the quality of opposition.
Shauri will face an equally demanding challenge in the women’s race. The Tanzanian has established herself among the country’s leading marathoners and strengthened her reputation with a third-place finish at the 2025 Chicago Marathon.
Her Sydney campaign will be led by a clash with Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, the Olympic and world champion, whose personal best of 2:14:43 places her among the fastest women in the field.
Jepchirchir’s record includes victories at the Boston, New York and London marathons, while compatriot Irine Cheptai, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, is another serious contender after recording a 2:17:51 personal best in Chicago.
The financial incentive is also significant. The winners of both the men’s and women’s races will each receive US$60,000, which is approximately Sh158.6 million).
