Eliud Kipchoge, 41, sets course record to win Melbourne Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge, 41, set a course record to win the Melbourne Marathon on 11 October 2026, crossing the line in two hours nine minutes 10 seconds. The victory was his 17th career win over the distance, his first since the Berlin Marathon in 2023, and his 12th at a World Marathon Major.

The route was partly along the Australian Formula One track at Albert Park and finished inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). "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." "On the course, it was really wonderful, I enjoyed seeing people standing, cheering, and shouting my name," added Kipchoge, who slowed down inside the MCG to wave to the fans.

Australian Thomas do Canto was runner-up in 2:10:35, with compatriot Reece Edwards third.

New Zealand's Camille French won the women's race in 2:28:25, followed by Australian Sinead Diver and Nichola Sheridan of Ireland.

Kipchoge is considered one of the greatest long-distance runners of all time, winning two Olympic marathon golds, plus a silver and bronze over 5000m. His honours include a world title and two official world records. In 2019 he became the first person to break the two-hour marathon barrier under special conditions in Vienna, clocking an unofficial time of one hour 59 minutes 40 seconds.

The Melbourne Marathon was the third leg on Kipchoge's world tour, on which he hopes to complete a marathon on all seven continents, including Antarctica, over two years. Each marathon will raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on education, environmental sustainability and health.