- Kenyan marathon great Eliud Kipchoge wins his first marathon in three years in Melbourne.
- The 41-year-old clocked 2:09:10, breaking the course record by two seconds.
- The victory marked Kipchoge’s third race in his ambitious mission to run marathons across all seven continents.
Kenyan marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge continues to amaze the athletics world after winning his first marathon in three years and setting a new course record at Melbourne Marathon in Australia on Sunday, October 11.
The 41-year-old crossed the finish line in 2:09:10, beating the previous course record by two seconds.
It was his first victory over the distance since Berlin in 2023 and the third stop on his ambitious World Tour, which will see him run marathons on all seven continents, over two years.
“Today was such a special day, not only running my third World Tour, but also winning a new race record. It makes me proud to run with the younger generation and inspire the running community in Melbourne.
Today was about more than sport. It was about the city’s energy, the huge support along the race route, running alongside so many other runners, and a stunning finish at the MCG. No words can describe that feeling. Thank you, Melbourne,” the former world record holder said after the race.
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Eliud Kipchoge clinches first title in 3 years with Melbourne course record
The two-time Olympic marathon champion looked relaxed from the start, occasionally giving the crowd a thumbs-up as thousands of fans lined the streets of Melbourne to cheer on the runners.
Kipchoge led a three-man group through halfway in 64:18 before the race began to take shape in the second half.
Australian Thomas Do Canto was the first to drop off the pace around the 22km mark, leaving the Kenyan and home favourite James Whelan to battle for the lead.
Kipchoge maintained his pace before making his move just before the 27km mark. He quickly pulled away from Whelan and ran the remaining 15km alone, steadily extending his advantage as he closed in on the finish.
With the crowd cheering him on, the Kenyan great crossed the finish line inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), adding another memorable performance to his remarkable career.
Do Canto finished second in 2:10:35, while New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25.
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Before arriving in Australia, Kipchoge began his World Tour in Africa at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on May 24, 2026, marking his first official competitive marathon on African soil.
He finished 16th in 2:13:29, but the race also gave him an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere and connect with thousands of local fans who sang along the route.
His second stop was the Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil on July 12, 2026, where he finished 12th in 2:18:39 after fading in the closing stages. Despite an aggressive start, he crossed the line around ten minutes behind the winner.
In Melbourne, however, Kipchoge found his rhythm again, claiming victory and setting a new course record in the process.
With Africa, South America and Australia now ticked off his list, the marathon great has four continents left to complete his seven-continent mission.
The remaining races, dates and host cities have yet to be officially announced. North America is expected to feature in late 2026 or early 2027, followed by Asia and Europe in 2027, before Kipchoge heads to Antarctica for the final leg, expected by late 2027.
