Kenyan athlete Brimin Misoi and Ethiopian star Workenesh Gurmesa ran the fastest ever marathons in Australia in the Sydney Marathon this morning.

A record field of 25,000 runners hit the streets from 6am, and after starting at North Sydney Oval, crossed Sydney Harbour Bridge and then wound through the city and eastern suburbs before finishing at the Opera House.

The Sydney marathon is entering its final year as a candidate to join the six biggest marathons - New York, Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, London and Chicago - and providing it meets the assessment criteria again on Sunday, a green light is expected in weeks.

Bill Woods chats with Sydney Marathon Race Director, Wayne Larden about all of the record breaking action.