Australia set a new marathon record as Haftou Strintzos became the first Australian to win the Gold Coast Marathon in two decades, while rising star Cameron Myers also broke the national record en route to Diamond League triumph.
Strintsos raced to the finish line on the Gold Coast in a time of 2:06:20, beating Andy Buchanan’s national record, which he set in Spain two years ago, by two seconds.
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Sunday morning’s race was only Strintzos’s fourth marathon ever, but the 26-year-old felt “it’s just a matter of when, not if” he will become the fastest Australian over the 42.195-kilometre distance.
“Excited. It’s not quite registered yet, but I’m sure it will happen soon,” Strintzos said.
“This is a memorable moment, a breakthrough moment for me, and I worked hard for it.
“I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received from my peers and my family. Very excited, there’s more to come.”
This is only the third time the national record has been improved in the last 40 years.
And Strintzos became the first person to do this on his native soil during this time, breaking the Oceania record in the process.
Rob de Castella ran 2:07:51 at the 1984 Boston Marathon and held the title for 38 years until Brett Robinson ran 2:07:31 in Fukuoka, Japan in 2022.
Buchanan then lowered the mark to 2:06:22 at the 2024 Valencia Marathon.
Meanwhile, for Strintzos it was a significant growth.
He failed to complete his debut marathon last year due to injury, but completed the Sydney Marathon a few months later in a time of 2:11:27.
Haftou Strintzos has broken the national record at the Gold Coast Marathon.Source: FOX SPORTS
The Ethiopian-born runner then won the Melbourne Half Marathon but was disappointed when he ran 2:26:20 at the Valencia Marathon in December.
However, five weeks ago he ran 60:41 to win the Launceston half marathon and decided to break the record at the 30km mark on the Gold Coast.
“I felt pretty good,” Strintzos said.
“I discussed it with my coach Adam before the race – depending on how I’m feeling, the 30km mark – just go for it. Take risks and whatever happens, happens.”
“I knew I had it in me, it was just a matter of when, not if. This was the perfect opportunity for it with a better field.”
On a momentous day for Australian athletics, Cameron Myers became the national record holder in the men’s mile.
Competing in the famous Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic in the USA, Myers ran 3:46.06 to finish on the podium and make history in Australia.
The 20-year-old previously set a national record with Ollie Hoare, clocking 3:47.48 at the New York indoor race last year.
Cameron Myers of Australia competes in the Bowerman Men’s Mile during the Prefontaine Classic, part of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League at Hayward Field.Source: AFP