Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has returned to the top of the podium after winning the 2026 Melbourne Marathon in a course-record time of 2:09:10 on Sunday, October 11.
The 41-year-old delivered a commanding performance in his first appearance at the Australian race, ending a three-year wait for a marathon victory and reaffirming his ability to compete against a new generation of distance runners.
Kipchoge shaved two seconds off the previous course record to secure the title, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career as he continues to challenge the limits of long-distance running.
The two-time Olympic champion remained alongside Australian former professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan until around the 30-kilometre mark before increasing his pace and pulling away from his challenger to take control of the race.
Explaining his strategy after the race, Kipchoge said he deliberately raised the tempo in the closing stages to test his fitness and target the course record.
“My plan went well,” he said, expressing satisfaction with his performance.
The Kenyan also expressed confidence in his ability to remain competitive despite his age, insisting that he still has the physical capacity to challenge younger athletes.
“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 said.
Beyond his victory, Kipchoge was impressed by the reception he received from spectators, spending more than 30 minutes interacting with fans around the boundary fence at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after crossing the finish line.
“The crowd is so wonderful, I’ve never seen a crowd like this. Melbourne is really, really a sporting city,” he said.
The marathon formed the third stop on Kipchoge’s ambitious global running project, which aims to see him compete in a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica.
The initiative combines elite competition with community engagement and efforts to inspire people around the world through running.
During his four-day visit, Kipchoge explored Melbourne’s sporting heritage, taking in its tennis, cricket and motor racing culture, alongside the city’s history as host of the 1956 Olympic Games.
“The experience is awesome, the culture of Melbourne is wonderful,” he said, describing the experience as an opportunity to appreciate the unifying power of sport.
Kipchoge also indicated that he hopes to return to Melbourne next year to experience more of its sporting events, including tennis and Formula One.
Kipchoge’s victory headlined a strong international contest, with Australia’s Thomas Do Canto finishing second in 2:10:35, while Whelan settled for fifth place.
In the women’s marathon, New Zealand’s Camille French claimed the title in 2:28:25, narrowly beating Australia’s Sinead Diver, who clocked 2:28:49 to finish second.
Australia’s Seth O’Donnell and New Zealand’s Georgie Gregec won the men’s and women’s half-marathon races, respectively.
The Melbourne triumph also marked Kipchoge’s second competitive appearance in Australia, following his ninth-place finish at the Sydney Marathon in 2025.
For the Kenyan legend, the record-breaking performance offers another reminder of his enduring ambition and determination to remain at the forefront of global distance running, even as he enters the later stages of his career.
