Marathon’s greatest competitor, Eliud Kipchoge, has sent a message to the next generation declaring that he’s not done yet. The 41-year-old Kenyan revelled in his Melbourne Marathon debut on Sunday, breaking the race record and delighting thousands of fans at the MCG finish. Beating the old race mark by two seconds, his two hours nine minutes and 10 seconds over a new course gave Kipchoge his first marathon win in three years.
Jimmy Whelan, a former Australian professional cyclist, was with the two-time Olympic champion and former world record-holder until about 30km. 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. The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the gen Zs.” “I [increased] the pace after 30km, to see whether I can run well and beat the [race record]. My plan went well.” Kipchoge had said repeatedly over the last few days that his Melbourne visit was more than just another race.
It is the third leg in his world tour, where he will run a marathon on each continent, including Antarctica. He has also done some community work while in Melbourne and is acutely aware of the city’s rich sporting heritage. It was four-in-one – with the tennis, finishing at the cricket, the Olympics were here in 1956, running on the Formula One track.
This is the best track ever.” Kipchoge could have finished a few seconds quicker but was waving to the crowd on the half-lap inside the MCG to the finish. This is his second visit to Australia. The Kenyan finished ninth in the 2025 Sydney Marathon.
Australia’s Thomas Do Canto was runner-up in 2:10:35 and Whelan was fifth. New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25, with Australia’s Sinead Diver next in 2:28.49. The Australian Seth O’Donnell and the New Zealander Georgie Gregec won the half-marathon titles.
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