Eliud Kipchoge breaks Melbourne Marathon record for first win in three years

Eliud Kipchoge returned to marathon-winning form in Melbourne on Sunday, October 11, completing the race in 2:09:10 to lower its record by two seconds. The 41-year-old Kenyan's victory was his first over the distance since Berlin in 2023, according to AFP, and came on his first appearance at the Melbourne Marathon.

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Australian Associated Press reported that former professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan stayed alongside Kipchoge until around the 30-kilometre point, before the Kenyan accelerated away. Kipchoge said afterwards that he had increased his pace with the race record in mind. He reached the finish inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground after waving to spectators during the closing half-lap.

The men's results listed by race timing provider MultiSport Australia put Thomas Do Canto second in 2:10:35, a gap of one minute and 25 seconds behind Kipchoge. Reece Edwards completed the podium in 2:14:33. Bailey Murzecki-Hince was fourth in 2:15:06, while Whelan finished fifth in 2:17:03 after his earlier spell with the eventual winner.

The race also marked another stage of Kipchoge's plan to complete marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica. AFP reported that Melbourne was the third stop, following races in South Africa and Brazil. The two-time Olympic champion and former world record-holder announced the project in 2025, with the tour intended to raise money for causes he supports.

New Zealand's Camille French won the women's race in 2:28:25. According to an Athletics New Zealand release, she reached halfway in 1:12:31 and separated from Sinead Diver after 25 kilometres, maintaining her advantage through the remaining 17 kilometres. Diver finished second in 2:28:49, with Ireland's Nichola Sheridan third in 2:29:13. It was French's fourth marathon, following her move from track racing to the roads.

The route took runners along St Kilda Road and around Albert Park Lake before the stadium finish, ABC reported. Kipchoge highlighted the connection with the 1956 Olympics, when the MCG also hosted the marathon's start and finish. Sunday's victory came 70 years after those Games and on only his second visit to Australia.