Eliud Kipchoge, the legendary Kenyan marathon runner, made a triumphant return to the marathon circuit by clinching victory at the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday. The 41-year-old not only won but also set a new course record, finishing in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 10 seconds, surpassing the previous record by two seconds.
Competing in Melbourne for the first time, Kipchoge's performance was a testament to his enduring prowess. The race saw him pull away decisively from the pack after the 30-kilometer mark, leaving behind competitors like former Australian professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan. Kipchoge's dominance was evident as he crossed the finish line at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where he was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd.
After the race, Kipchoge expressed his admiration for the city's vibrant sports culture, stating, "The crowd is so wonderful – I’ve never seen a crowd like this. Melbourne is really, really a sporting city." He also shared his excitement about competing alongside younger athletes, saying, "I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation. The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the gen Zs."
Kipchoge's visit to Melbourne was part of a larger world tour, where he aims to run a marathon on each continent, including Antarctica. During his stay, he engaged in community activities and immersed himself in the city's rich sporting heritage. Reflecting on his experience, he remarked, "The experience is awesome – the culture of Melbourne is wonderful. The last four days, I’ve seen myself, sport can do wonder."
Despite the possibility of finishing even faster, Kipchoge slowed down to wave to the cheering crowd during his final lap inside the MCG. This victory marks his second visit to Australia.
In the men's race, Australia's Thomas Do Canto secured the runner-up position with a time of 2:10:35, while Jimmy Whelan finished fifth. On the women's side, New Zealand's Camille French claimed victory, completing the marathon in 2:28:25, followed closely by Australia's Sinead Diver at 2:28:49. The half-marathon titles went to Australia's Seth O'Donnell and New Zealand's Georgie Gregec.
The event was not without incident. Earlier on Sunday, a woman was struck by a car near Flinders Street station, close to the marathon route. The vehicle, reportedly driving erratically, hit the woman and then performed a U-turn before fleeing the scene. Police officers in the area reportedly drew their weapons in response. The injured woman was transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital, though her condition remains unknown.
