Reviewed by Richard KimaroTanzania sports betting writer
Published 4 September 2026
Alphonce Simbu finished fourth at the Sydney Marathon in 2:04:57, fifteen seconds behind Addisu Gobena of Ethiopia, who won in 2:04:42 and took the course record.
Gobena’s time cut the course record of 2:06:06. Chimdessa Debele of Ethiopia was second in 2:04:46. Tebello Ramakongoana of Lesotho was third in 2:04:57, the same time as Simbu, with the Tanzanian placed fourth on the finish order.
A fast race and a close finish
First and fourth were separated by fifteen seconds.
Simbu went to Sydney as the reigning world marathon champion, and World Athletics billed him and Peres Jepchirchir as the two headline names in the elite fields.
Five men finished inside two hours and five minutes. Jemal Mekonnen of Ethiopia was fifth in 2:04:59.
The women’s race
Jepchirchir won it in 2:18:31. Irine Cheptai was second in 2:22:11 and Shure Demise of Ethiopia third in 2:22:33.
Where to bet: marathon majors are the one part of Tanzanian athletics the books price properly. Betway and SportPesa, both licensed by the Gaming Board of Tanzania, offer outright winner and head to head markets in Tanzanian shillings with mobile money deposits. Compare the two books before you stake. Our guide to the best betting sites in Tanzania covers licensing and withdrawal times, and there is more in Tanzania athletics news from AXN Sports. 18+. Gamble responsibly.
