Kenyan great Kipchoge wins first marathon in three years
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Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya celebrates with spectators after crossing the finish line to win the 2026 Melbourne Marathon on Oct 11.
PHOTO: EPA
- Eliud Kipchoge won the Melbourne Marathon in 2:09:10, his first marathon victory since Berlin in 2023, and finished two seconds inside the race record.
- The 41-year-old said the race was part of his “World Tour” to raise funds for causes he believes in, with plans to run marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica.
- Kipchoge broke away in the last 10 kilometres, enjoyed strong crowd support, and said he felt proud to inspire younger runners; Thomas Do Canto was second and Camille French won the women’s race.
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MELBOURNE – Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge believes his body “is still peaking” after he won his first marathon in three years in Melbourne on Oct 11.
The 41-year-old Kenyan, the most decorated marathoner in history, crossed the finishing line in 2hr 09min 10sec, shaving two seconds off the course record.
It was his first victory over the distance since Berlin in 2023, when he won a record 11th title at the Majors.
“I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation,” Kipchoge told reporters after the race.
“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.”
The former world record holder announced in 2025 he planned to complete marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica, in a “World Tour” over two years to raise funds for causes he believes in.
Melbourne was the third stop after South Africa and Brazil.
He broke away inside the last 10km on a course raced partly on the Australian Formula 1 track at Albert Park and which finished inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“On the course, it was really wonderful, I enjoyed seeing people standing, cheering, and shouting my name,” Kipchoge said, looking fresh at the finish.
He would have gone faster, but slowed down inside the MCG waving to fans.
“It was actually different – running on a beautiful course, but also running on the Formula 1 track, and above all else, finishing on a cricket ground,” he added.
“It makes me proud to run with the younger generation and inspire the running community in Melbourne.”
This was his second marathon in Australia, after having finished ninth in the Sydney Marathon in 2025.
He said he will return to Melbourne to catch more sporting action, as he plans to “watch the tennis, the Formula 1 next year, to see people of Melbourne playing cricket”.
Australian Thomas do Canto was runner-up in 2:10:35, while compatriot Reece Edwards was third at 2:14:33.
New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25, followed by Australian Sinead Diver at 2:28:49 and Nichola Sheridan of Ireland at 2:29:13. AFP, REUTERS