Overview

• Sifan Hassan confirmed she will skip next month’s world championships in Tokyo to race in Sydney, calling the choice difficult but ultimately more exciting.
• Eliud Kipchoge, 40, said there is “huge pressure” to win but stressed his goal is to inspire people to run and to demonstrate longevity in marathon racing.
• Organisers expect about 35,000 participants from more than 150 countries, with over 4,000 runners seeking a seventh World Marathon Majors star.
• The women’s field features former world record holder Brigid Kosgei and defending Sydney champion Workenesh Edesa alongside Hassan, while wheelchair and mass fields add further depth.
• A new Australian-only prize pool of A$135,000 awards A$30,000 to the first local man and woman, with a A$10,000 bonus for breaking national records, as Transport for NSW warns of extensive Sunday road closures between North Sydney, the CBD and Kingsford.