Kenya's Brimin Kipkorir Misoi in past action at the Athens Classic Marathon. [AFP]
When two-time Frankfurt Marathon champion Brimin Kipkorir Misoi delivered a brilliant victory at the 2024 Sydney 42km showdown on September 15, he didn’t know that he would be the last man to win it before it was elevated to a World Major.
It was until November 3, just after the New York City Marathon, that Abbott World Marathon Majors announced that the Australian race will join the series from the next edition, in 2025.
Slightly over two months after the triumph, Misoi expresses mixed feelings; the joy of being the last man to win the race and the challenge of returning to Sydney on August 31, 2025, when the race will be run as the seventh WMM.
Misoi, who broke away from the leading pack just after the 30km water point, won the Sydney Marathon in 2:06:17, which is the new course record and the fastest marathon time ever recorded on Australian soil.
Yesterday, Misoi, who has set his sights on the 2024 Taipei Marathon mid next month, described the new WMM race as one of the biggest contests he had ever competed in.
The 2018 Athens Classic 42km champion said he was elated that he won Sydney Marathon before it joined the WMM league.
“It was a good marathon. The thousands of fans were lively and cheered every athlete along the course,” said Misoi – an athlete who passes for an ordinary farmer in Kapkitony, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Misoi says the Sydney course was, however, a tough one, with many numerous uphill and downhill sections.
He recalls how the course presented a huge challenge, but which he says, helped him prove his mettle.
“A better part of the course is hilly. It was rare to encounter a long flat stretch. It is at the closing stages that you find a flat course; from 41km to the end. It is an exciting course which is good for an athlete to prove their strength,” he told Standard Sport.
“I tried to compare the Sydney course with Boston and it looks tougher (than the American course).”
Misoi said he would be ready to defend the Sydney title next year if given the opportunity.
“If the chance comes, I will be ready to compete and perform well. I will be praying for good health and the nod to defend my title,” he said.
Misoi had produced back-to-back victories at the 2022 and 2023 editions of Frankfurt Marathon.
“I am now looking to end the year with Taipei Marathon. I am training well and hoping for the best,” the 34-year-old long distance athlete said.
At the Sydney Marathon show, Misoi tactically extended his lead through the closing stages and when he cut the tape, the previous course record had been smashed by 46 seconds. The obliterated mark was set two years ago by Moses Kibet. Chalu Gelmisa of Ethiopia was a distant second in 2:08:01, ahead of Felix Kirwa who crossed the line in 2:08:17.
With the course record, Misoi is expected to be a major contender, for a mouthwatering 2025 edition.