Sydney Maree


Sydney Maree is a former middle distance runner who competed at the international level in the 1980s. He was born in Cullinan, South Africa, but later became a U.S. citizen, running for the United States in various competitions.

Running career

Maree attended Villanova University, where he was eight-time NCAA All American, including once in cross country, thrice indoors, and four times outdoors;, two-time NCAA champion in the 1500 meters, distance medley relay and once in the 5000 meters. He also won the inaugural Fifth Avenue Mile in 1981 with 3:47.52, which remains the course record.
Maree's greatest success came in August 1983 when he broke Steve Ovett's world record over 1500 m at a meet in Cologne, clocking 3:31.24 min. Two years later, Maree set a new US record of 3:29.77 min; however, this was not a world record as a few weeks before Saïd Aouita had run 3:29.46. Maree was an excellent 5000-m runner, as well. In Oslo in 1985, he set a US record at 13:01.15 min. finishing just behind Aouita who set a world record.
Maree's personal bests include the aforementioned 3:29.77 for the 1500 meters, 3:48.83 for the mile, 4:54.20 in the 2000 meters, 7:33.37 for 3000 meters and the 1988 Olympic Games.

Personal life

Maree is married with five children. In 1995 he moved back to South Africa, later forming the asset management group Franklin Zamani, in Johannesburg, of which he became the CEO.