Andy Buchanan and Ellie Pashley prepare for Sydney Marathon 2026 after record loss and injuries

Consensus Summary

Andy Buchanan, a 35-year-old Tokyo Olympian and former Australian marathon record holder, is preparing for the Sydney Marathon on Sunday morning, where he will race his first marathon in Australia. Buchanan lost his national record by two seconds at the Gold Coast marathon nearly two months ago, an event that deeply affected him, though he has since moved on. The Sydney Marathon, in its second year as a world major, will feature over 40,000 runners and a $30,000 prize for the first Australian finisher. Buchanan, who set the record in Valencia two years ago, has struggled with injuries since the London Marathon in April last year, including a stress reaction in his femur that kept him from competing at the World Champs and Valencia. Ellie Pashley, another Australian marathoner, is also competing, having won the Ballarat Marathon in April last year. Both athletes are focused on performing well in Sydney, with Buchanan aiming to reclaim his status as the fastest Australian man in the elite field, while Pashley seeks to be the first Australian across the line.