Australian Paralympic great Madison de Rozario's defence of her Paralympic marathon crown has ended in heartache, the Australian dethroned by Swiss race star Catherine Debrunner. De Rozario finished 4 minutes, 23 seconds off Debrunner, who ended the Paris Games with a remarkable six medals.

Debrunner had won golds in the 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m, along with a 100m silver before Sunday's marathon finale.

The 29-year-old's dominance across the testing 42km race further cemented her status as the superstar of women's wheelchair racing as she crossed the finish line at Invalides in a time of one hour, 41 minutes, 50 seconds.

The Swiss medal magnet faced few challenges from her marathon rivals, leading from the front on Sunday on a course that began in the northeastern suburbs of Paris. By the time she reached the halfway point outside the Stade de France, Debrunner had a lead of 2 minutes and 1 second. As she made her way back down into the city and reached the 35km stage, Debrunner had beefed up her race advantage by 4 minutes, 7 seconds.

De Rozario and American Sussanah Scaroni, who finished third, could not reel her in.

Debrunner breezed over the cobblestones of the Champs Elysees with ease as she weaved her way past Le Grand Palais, back across the Seine and over the finish line at Invalides.

Debrunner's Dominance: A Threat to de Rozario's Reign

The biggest obstacle to Madison de Rozario's quest to hold on to her Paralympic marathon crown may not be the cobbles that line the streets of Paris but the ruthless form of Switzerland's Catherine Debrunner. De Rozario has placed a high priority on going back-to-back in the French capital after securing a gold medal in the T54 event at the Tokyo Games. But Debrunner is likely to have a big say in de Rozario's fortunes, given the Swiss athlete has dominated the track at the Stade de France.

To date in Paris, Debrunner has won gold medals in the 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m, showing she's as versatile as one of those little red knives for which her homeland is famed. She also grabbed silver in the 100m and the only thing left for the 29-year-old to get her hands on is de Rozario's marathon crown.

"In German we say, all the puzzle parts have come together," Debrunner told AAP. "This race is something completely different and I'm excited for this challenge, usually when I do a marathon I'm not doing a lot of races (in the build-up).

"Madi and I have a really good friendship, she's the reigning Paralympic champion and she is the one who gave me the courage to believe that a T53 athlete can be successful in the marathon."

A New Era in Women's Wheelchair Racing

Debrunner, like de Rozario began her career as a sprinter but has shown an ability to excel in distance racing, winning marathons in London, New York and Chicago over the last 12 months. De Rozario has not seen an athlete like Debrunner, who has dominated so many distances at one time.

"She has changed so much as an athlete in these last three years," de Rozario said. "Now she's dominant across the board - she's aggressive and smart and knows her strengths.

"In women's racing, we didn't have a Catherine until now, someone who races so assertively. You have to change your race plans because you're beside her because she's such a unique athlete."

De Rozario has had limited chance to test out her race chair on cobblestones and has been keen to underline the challenges that the bumpier surfaces can throw up. As Debrunner goes in hunt of a sixth medal from Paris it's worth pointing out that she does most of her training in the Netherlands, where the roads are often paved with cobbles.

"But not 5km of them," the Swiss said. "I've had a little bit of practice."

The Rise of Catherine Debrunner

Debrunner's impressive medal haul in Paris is a testament to her incredible talent and dedication. Her dominance in the marathon, a discipline she's increasingly exceling in, highlights her ability to adapt and compete at the highest level across different distances.

Debrunner's ability to excel in distance racing is a testament to her adaptability and strategic prowess. Her focus on training in the Netherlands, a country known for its cobblestone roads, exemplifies her meticulous preparation for the Paris marathon, highlighting her commitment to mastering the unique challenges presented by the course.

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in Paralympic Marathon

Madison de Rozario's quest for a second consecutive Paralympic marathon title may have ended in disappointment, but it's a testament to the evolving landscape of the discipline. The emergence of athletes like Catherine Debrunner, who are not only strong in sprints but also excelling in distance racing, is bringing new dynamics and excitement to the Paralympic marathon. As the athletes push their boundaries and redefine the limits of performance, the future of the Paralympic marathon promises to be both thrilling and unpredictable. The next chapter in the Paralympic marathon is sure to be a captivating one, as athletes like Debrunner and de Rozario continue to shape the sport with their remarkable talent and unwavering determination.