Izzi Batt-Doyle sets Australian marathon record in Chicago
The South Australian finished sixth in 2:20:38, taking 46 seconds off Jess Stenson’s national mark.
Australian Olympian Izzi Batt-Doyle has broken the national marathon record with a 2:20:38 run in Chicago, where she placed sixth. Her time was 46 seconds faster than the record Jess Stenson set in 2025.
Batt-Doyle, 31, reached the halfway point in 1:10:29 and covered the second half faster than the first. Her husband, Riley Cocks, accompanied her throughout the race and crossed the finish line seconds after her.
Batt-Doyle said she drew inspiration during the race from Benita Willis, whose 2:22:36 performance in Chicago in 2006 had been an Australian record. Sinead Diver later ran 2:21:34 in 2022, before Stenson reduced the mark to 2:21:24.
The South Australian’s previous personal best was 2:22:59, recorded at the 2024 Valencia Marathon. She has represented Australia at two Olympics in the 5000m and has also competed over 10,000m at the world championships.
Pat Tiernan was the highest-placed Australian in Chicago’s men’s race, finishing in 2:15:18.
