Eliud Kipchoge proved his enduring competitive spirit at the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, marking his debut in the city by securing his first marathon victory in three years. The 41-year-old Kenyan athlete finished the course in two hours, nine minutes, and 10 seconds, clipping two seconds off the previous race record. Marathon’s greatest competitor, Eliud Kipchoge, has sent a message to the next generation declaring that he’s not done yet.
The two-time Olympic champion and former world record-holder remained locked in a tight battle with former Australian professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan until the 30-kilometre mark. Kipchoge then increased his pace, pulling away to dominate the remainder of the race. He noted that he opted to accelerate after 30km specifically to test his form and challenge the record, confirming that his strategy succeeded.
Kipchoge expressed immense appreciation for the atmosphere, noting the Melbourne crowd was unlike any he had encountered elsewhere. While he acknowledged he could have finished with a slightly faster time, he spent the final moments of the race waving to spectators as he completed the half-lap inside the MCG. 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.
Reflecting on his performance, the veteran runner stated that his body is still peaking and he remains capable of competing with younger athletes. He added that he enjoys running alongside the generation Z cohort, viewing his current tour—which involves running marathons on every continent—as a significant experience. During his time in Melbourne, he participated in local community engagement and praised the city’s sporting heritage, expressing interest in returning for tennis and Formula One events. “The crowd is so wonderful – I’ve never seen a crowd like this,” he said. “Melbourne is really, really a sporting city.
In the wider race results, Australia’s Thomas Do Canto followed in second place with a time of 2:10:35, while Whelan finished fifth. In the women’s division, New Zealand’s Camille French claimed victory in 2:28:25, with Australia’s Sinead Diver finishing second at 2:28:49. The half-marathon titles were secured by Australia’s Seth O’Donnell and New Zealander Georgie Gregec.
The event was marred by a separate incident occurring near Flinders Street station, approximately 200 metres from the marathon route. Around 10:45 am, a woman was struck by a vehicle that had been driving erratically. Reports indicate that police officers in the vicinity drew their weapons as the driver performed a U-turn and fled the scene. The victim was transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital; her condition remains unconfirmed.
This performance follows Kipchoge’s ninth-place finish at the 2025 Sydney Marathon, which was his previous visit to Australia. He was mobbed by media at the finish and took the chaos in his stride.
