Eliud Kipchoge signaled he remains a force in elite athletics, clinching victory at his debut Melbourne Marathon on Sunday. The 41-year-old Kenyan crossed the finish line at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a time of 2:09:10, beating the previous race record by two seconds and marking his first marathon win in three years. Marathon’s greatest competitor, Eliud Kipchoge, has sent a message to the next generation declaring that he’s not done yet. Then Kipchoge went up a gear and dominated to the finish. Looking as though he has just done a training run, Kipchoge then spent well over half an hour celebrating with fans along the MCG boundary fence. He was mobbed by media at the finish and took the chaos in his stride.
For much of the race, Kipchoge was challenged by former Australian professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan, who stayed with the two-time Olympic champion until the 30km mark. Following that point, Kipchoge increased his pace to secure the record. He noted after the race that his plan to test his fitness and push for the record proved successful.
Reflecting on his performance, the veteran runner expressed his desire to stay competitive against younger athletes, stating, “I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation. I am happy to run with the gen Zs.”
Kipchoge, who finished ninth in the 2025 Sydney Marathon, described the Melbourne atmosphere as exceptional. “The crowd is so wonderful – I’ve never seen a crowd like this,” he remarked, adding that he intends to return to the city for future sporting events, including tennis and Formula One. “The experience is awesome – the culture of Melbourne is wonderful,” he said. “The last four days, I’ve seen myself, sport can do wonder. Finishing at the cricket, the Olympics were here in 1956, running on the Formula One track, it was four-in-one – with the tennis.
The race saw Australia’s Thomas Do Canto finish as the runner-up with a time of 2:10:35, while Whelan finished in fifth place. In the women’s competition, New Zealander Camille French claimed victory in 2:28:25, followed by Australia’s Sinead Diver, who finished in 2:28:49. Half-marathon titles were secured by Seth O’Donnell of Australia and Georgie Gregec of New Zealand.
The event visit is part of a global tour for Kipchoge, who plans to run a marathon on every continent. Beyond his racing commitments, he has engaged in community work, further cementing his appreciation for Melbourne’s sporting heritage.
While the marathon proceeded at the MCG, a serious incident occurred nearby near Flinders Street station. At approximately 10:45 a.m., a woman was struck by a vehicle that had been driving erratically. Reports indicate that police in the area drew their weapons after the driver performed a U-turn and fled the scene. The victim was transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, though her current condition remains unconfirmed.
Kipchoge’s victory marks a significant milestone in his career, proving that his training and commitment to the sport remain at the highest level despite his longevity in elite competition.
