Eliud Kipchoge crossed the finish line at Melbourne Cricket Ground in two hours, nine minutes and 10 seconds on Sunday, breaking the Melbourne Marathon record by two seconds. The 41-year-old Kenyan claimed his first marathon victory in three years, cheered on by thousands of fans who’d filled the stadium to watch him finish.
He made no secret of what the result meant. “I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation,” Kipchoge said. “The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the gen Zs.”
How the Race Unfolded
The two-time Olympic champion and former world record-holder made his Melbourne Marathon debut. Former Australian professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan stayed with him until about 30 kilometres. Then Kipchoge raised the pace and broke clear.
“I [increased] the pace after 30km, to see whether I can run well and beat the [race record],” he said. “My plan went well.”
He might have finished a few seconds sooner. Inside the MCG, he waved to the crowd for half a lap, then spent well over half an hour celebrating with fans along the boundary fence. “The crowd is so wonderful – I’ve never seen a crowd like this,” he said. “Melbourne is really, really a sporting city.”
A Visit Beyond the Finish Line
Melbourne marked the third leg of a world tour in which Kipchoge plans to run a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica. During his stay, he did community work in the city and spoke warmly about his experience. “The experience is awesome – the culture of Melbourne is wonderful,” he said.
Kipchoge called the previous four days a kind of sporting pilgrimage. “I’ve seen myself, sport can do wonder,” he said. “It was four-in-one – with the tennis, finishing at the cricket, the Olympics were here in 1956, running on the Formula One track.” He said he’d return next year to watch tennis and Formula One and see people playing cricket. “This is the best track ever.”
He had visited Australia once before. In the 2025 Sydney Marathon, he finished ninth.
The Rest of the Field
Australia’s Thomas Do Canto took second in 2:10:35, while Whelan placed fifth. New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25, ahead of Australia’s Sinead Diver, who finished second in 2:28.49. Australian Seth O’Donnell and New Zealander Georgie Gregec won the half-marathon titles.
A Frightening Moment Nearby
Sunday’s race also brought a sudden scare. Earlier that morning, a car struck a woman near Flinders Street station, about 200 metres from the marathon route, and she was taken to hospital. Reports said nearby police officers drew their weapons after the car, which witnesses had seen driving erratically, hit the woman at about 10.45am, made a U-turn and drove off. Paramedics took her to Royal Melbourne Hospital. Her condition wasn’t known.
Why This Matters:
Mass-participation races depend on public streets, public venues and the trust of crowds. Sunday showed both the promise and the risks. Thousands gathered safely at a civic landmark to celebrate an athlete who says sport can bring people together, while Kipchoge’s community work in the city showed what that connection can mean beyond the podium. But a car struck a woman about 200 metres from the route, reminding authorities and organisers that keeping large public events safe is a shared responsibility. Her condition remains unknown. At 41, Kipchoge is still beating younger rivals, and Sunday’s race showed what open, accessible sport can offer a community.