Marathon legend Kipchoge set for Sydney Marathon
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7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie record-holder Sam Clifford's ‘real' Olympic dream begins at Sydney Marathon
The Sydney Marathon's debut as a world major marks the start of a new era for Australian distance running, but the landmark event shapes as one-and-done at the distance for 10km national record-holder Sam Clifford. At least that's the plan for the next few years as part of his long-term goal to make — and, more importantly, compete well at — the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The 23-year-old from Tasmania catapulted himself into calculations for higher honours with an astonishing 10km time of 27:34 in May. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Clifford, having improved plenty in the six months prior, smashed Jack Rayner's previous record by nine seconds in the Tokyo Speed Race geared around Asics' newest supershoes. The performance was followed by mixing it with some of Australia's big-name runners in half-marathons in Launceston (1:02:00) and on the Gold Coast (1:01:49). Clifford stepped back to 10km racing during his training block last week to win the Harbour 10 (29:33) that took in some of the same streets forming the Sydney Marathon course. Loading Instagram Post Knowing he's got the 'buffer' from running two minutes faster in Tokyo, Clifford kicked away with 1500m to go to train himself in the art of winning a race — something he's used to in one sense, but still working on as he reaches new heights. 'It was pretty crazy,' he tells 'I wanted to practise making a move at a certain point that I had already pre-planned. I stuck to my game plan there .. the closer it got to the finish line, it played more into my hands. 'On that particular day (the time to win) was 29:33 but there could be other days where there's more competition or a better runner on the day. It's very good that I've got that range.' The Sydney Marathon on August 31 will be a different beast. A 'why not?' attitude is fuelling Clifford's first crack at the historic 42.195km distance, hyped up by the addition of the legend Eliud Kipchoge to the entry list. 'I'm going to be on the same start line as the greatest marathon runner arguably of all time and that's a big drawcard,' he says. For a man working part-time jobs while making his way in the world of elite running, the hope of finishing as the top Australian — and the $30,000 prize that comes with that title — is an even bigger attraction. Just considering that as a possibility is a far cry from a few years ago, when Clifford thought 'the idea of being an Olympian was probably more of a cool idea' than 'reality' at a time he was being held back by his own drinking habits. Having turned himself around and risen through the ranks faster than he expected, he's now got a future to look forward to. 'It's shifted my mindset into always trying to improve, which is good, I think, for the long term,' Clifford says. 'I've got some goals that I'm really passionate about and I have a reason why, and a few reasons why. So long as I have my 'why', that'll keep me going until 2032 and maybe even beyond.' Clifford's 'pretty clear pathway' stretches out beyond the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics to the goal of running the 10,000m (track) and marathon double in Brisbane four years later. And that's where his marathon debut in Sydney next month comes into play. 'It's probably one of the hardest doubles to do because it's the furthest distance you can run as an Olympian,' Clifford says. 'If I have the foundation of having already done a marathon and getting it out of the way early, at least it gives me a target and a marker in the sand. 'It's more enticing for me there, and it makes more sense to do it now and get it out of the way then not touch it for a while.' 'Then I can focus from the ground up. That means I can do a lot of shorter races just so I'm better prepared for when it comes round to LA and Brisbane.' A three-year run to LA 2028 is less daunting when, like the Sydney Marathon, it acts as a stepping stone to the ultimate goal for Brisbane 2032. 'It's all good to be an Olympian but I also want to be competitive as well,' Clifford says. 'And I need to prove myself that if I'm going to go to the Olympics I want to be competitive. 'It's the same mindset I'm going into with Sydney. I want to be competitive. 'I'm pretty confident in my training and I'm pretty confident in my abilities now to really test that, because at the moment it's, you know, what have I got to lose?'
The Age
25-07-2025
- The Age
Marathon legend Kipchoge set for Sydney Marathon
Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest male marathon runner of all time, will contest the 2025 Sydney Marathon. Loading
Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Perth Now
Sydney Marathon hails field as best-ever in Australia
Sydney Marathon organisers are hailing the men's field as the strongest assembled in Australia after confirming another raft of big-name signings. Kenyan megastar Eliud Kipchoge, announced as the headline attraction last March, will be joined at the start line of the August 31 race by 14 other runners who hold personal-best times inside the current Sydney course record. That batch includes emerging Kenyan Vincent Ngetich, Ethiopian duo Dawit Wolde and Birhanu Legese and Japanese great Yuki Kawauchi. Kawauchi holds the world record for most marathons completed in less than two hours 20 minutes, a feat he has achieved more than 100 times. Australian record holder Andrew Buchanan will prioritise the world championships marathon in Tokyo in September, but the local contingent is still strong. Former national record holder Brett Robinson and fellow Olympian Liam Adams will feature alongside rising star Haftu Strintzos, who will make his marathon debut after an impressive US college career. Race director Wayne Larden said the men's field was the most competitive assembled on Australian soil. "When you look at the depth of this year's men's field, it's not just star-studded and fast, it's exceptionally deep," Larden said. "We have multiple athletes capable of running under the course record, rising stars on the brink of global breakthrough, and, of course, Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner of all-time. "We've also focused on Australian elites and it's exciting to see so many top Aussies lining up alongside world-class internationals in our first year as an World Marathon Major." The Sydney Marathon is the seventh event on the marathon major calendar, a global points-based competition. The Sydney race record is 2:06.18 set last year by Kenyan Brimin Kipkorir, who is currently provisionally suspended after recording a positive test for a prohibited substance two months after his win in Australia.
