A record 40,000 runners from 162 countries, including Paralympic champions, elite athletes and a few famous faces, will pound Sydney\u2019s pavements for the Sydney Marathon on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
The marathon, which finishes at the Opera House, has been billed as \u201cthe seventh wonder of the marathon world\u201d after it was elevated to major status last year, joining the likes of London and New York. <\/p>\n
And this year, competitors believe the course and atmosphere will see records tumble.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Hailemaryam Kiros returns to the scene of his breakthrough victory, when the Ethiopian stormed to a course record of 2:06:06 last year. The 29-year-old is not content simply to defend his crown.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking to run an even faster time,\u201d Kiros said.<\/p>\n
The task will be harder this year, with a stronger international field expected to challenge the champion. Kiros believes that depth could help produce another spectacular race.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can all work together, we can absolutely beat 2:06,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kiros also credits Sydney itself for bringing him back.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing is not just the place, but the people,\u201d he said, praising the welcome from the community and the support from spectators.<\/p>\n
Among those looking to better his best is Australia\u2019s Andy Buchanan. Buchanan endured his own mental journey after losing the Australian marathon record he held at 2:06:22. He admitted the experience initially hit him hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI struggled with having my record beaten and was quite upset with myself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But the 35-year-old has since changed his perspective. \u201cRecords are meant to be broken.\u201d<\/p>\n
After taking a year off to look after her mental health, Paralympian Madison de Rozario will race in the marathon hoping to claim the wheelchair title for a third time.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old said getting back into competition had proved less straightforward than she had imagined.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have this idea in your head that you\u2019re going to take a break and just come back and immediately be back exactly where you were,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then the very harsh reality sets in where it\u2019s not going to be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
The return has been challenging at times. However, Sydney, she said, is the first race where she feels \u201cgenuinely excited\u201d to jump back in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think doing a race at home is always such a privilege,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Former AFL star Lance \u201cBuddy\u201d Franklin was also set to take part in the marathon, however injury has sidelined him.<\/p>\n
\u201cInjuries are always upsetting, especially when you\u2019ve been working so hard at a goal. But it\u2019s definitely less stressful now than when I was playing, when you have a team and fans relying on you to play,\u201d Franklin said.<\/p>\n
Franklin has become a late-in-life runner, having completed his first marathon in New York last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cNever did I think I would ever run a marathon. I enjoyed a full year off training when I retired, which was actually the best thing for me, as I was able to find some balance after a long time being so focused on my AFL career,\u201d Franklin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA friend suggested I should train for a marathon and it\u2019s been amazing both physically and mentally. It keeps me motivated and gives me something to work towards and obviously keeps me super fit and healthy too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, wife Jesinta joked that her husband\u2019s foray into marathon running came right around the time the couple welcomed their third child, Bam.<\/p>\n
Now, however, Buddy\u2019s hobby has coincided with the couple\u2019s business. The Gold Coast-based pair, who own Honey for Life, have partnered with Sodii to create a raw electrolyte honey and have been in Sydney promoting the product to athletes.<\/p>\n
Away from the race, Sydney itself faces a logistical challenge.<\/p>\n
Major roads will close from the early hours, with significant restrictions around the marathon route and motorists urged to leave their cars at home. <\/p>\n
Public transport will be the best way to move around the city, with special marathon services helping runners reach the start.<\/p>\n
With up to one million trips expected across the transport network, authorities are urging Sydneysiders to plan ahead and allow extra time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A record 40,000 runners from 162 countries, including Paralympic champions, elite athletes and a few famous faces, 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