Eliud Kipchoge Wins Melbourne Marathon in Record Time for First Victory Since 2023

Kenyan running legend Eliud Kipchoge has ended his three-year wait for a marathon victory, winning the Melbourne Marathon in Australia with a course-record time of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds.

The two-time Olympic champion crossed the finish line at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday, October 11, 2026, beating the previous course record by two seconds.

The victory marks Kipchoge’s first marathon win since the Berlin Marathon in September 2023 and provides another milestone in the career of one of long-distance running’s most celebrated athletes.

At 41, the former marathon world-record holder showed that he remains competitive against younger runners, pulling away from his rivals inside the final 10 kilometres before cruising to victory.

Kipchoge Makes His Move in the Final 10km

Kipchoge stayed in contention during the early stages of the race before increasing his pace after the 30km mark.

His decisive move left his rivals struggling to keep up as he gradually opened a gap and moved towards the finish.

The course took runners through Melbourne’s streets and around Albert Park, including sections of the circuit used for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. The race concluded inside the MCG, giving Kipchoge the opportunity to celebrate in front of thousands of spectators.

The Kenyan appeared comfortable as he approached the finish, slowing down to wave to fans and acknowledge the cheering crowd.

Speaking after the race, Kipchoge praised the atmosphere and the support he received throughout the course.

He also expressed confidence in his ability to continue competing against younger athletes.

“I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation,” he said.

Kipchoge added that he increased the pace after 30 kilometres to test whether he could beat the course record, saying his plan had worked well.

Melbourne Marathon Results

Australia’s Thomas Do Canto finished second in 2:10:35, while compatriot Reece Edwards took third place in 2:14:33.

In the women’s race, New Zealand’s Camille French claimed victory in 2:28:25.

Australia’s Sinead Diver finished second in 2:28:49, just 24 seconds behind French, while Ireland’s Nichola Sheridan secured third place in 2:29:13.

The results underlined the international field assembled for the Melbourne Marathon, with Kipchoge’s victory providing the headline performance of the event.

A Legendary Career Continues

Kipchoge is widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners in history.

He won Olympic marathon gold at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, becoming one of the defining figures in modern distance running.

He also set the official men’s marathon world record of 2:01:09 at the Berlin Marathon in 2022, before that mark was subsequently broken by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.

In 2019, Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon distance in under two hours during the specially organised INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna. His time of 1:59:40.2 was not recognised as an official world record because the event did not meet standard competition conditions.

His achievements have helped inspire a generation of runners and strengthened his reputation as an ambassador for the sport.

The Melbourne victory adds another chapter to his remarkable career, demonstrating his continued appetite for competition despite his age and years at the highest level.

Seven-Continent World Tour

The Melbourne Marathon is also part of Kipchoge’s ambitious World Tour project, which aims to take him to all seven continents, including Antarctica, over a two-year period.

The initiative is designed to promote running, bring communities together and raise funds for causes he supports.

Melbourne represents the third stop on the tour, following earlier marathon appearances in South Africa and Brazil.

The project reflects Kipchoge’s belief that running can unite people across nationalities, cultures and generations.

By participating in major races around the world, he hopes to encourage more people to take up running and use sport as a force for positive change.

Kipchoge Sends a Message to the Next Generation

The Melbourne victory was significant not only because it ended his three-year wait for a marathon win, but also because of the manner in which he achieved it.

His late acceleration, course-record performance and relaxed finish offered a reminder of the qualities that made him one of the sport’s most successful athletes.

Kipchoge’s immediate competitive future remains to be seen, but his Melbourne performance has reinforced his determination to continue racing.

For now, the Kenyan great can celebrate another marathon triumph and a successful stop on his global running journey.

At 41, Kipchoge has shown that he still has the ambition to compete, inspire and challenge the next generation of distance runners.

Follow the African360 Sports channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDrVn8HrDZe4uoLW42r