Double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has set a new course record at the Melbourne Marathon, winning the race at the age of 41. The Kenyan athlete completed the course in two hours nine minutes 10 seconds, marking his 17th career victory over the distance.
Kipchoge, who last won a marathon in Berlin in 2023, stated, "I believe that my body is still peaking - still able to compete with the next generation." He added, "The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the Gen Zs."
The race route included a section along the Australian Formula One track at Albert Park and concluded inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Kipchoge expressed his enjoyment of the course and the crowd, noting, "It was actually different - running on a beautiful course, but also running on the Formula One track, and above all else, finishing on a cricket ground."
Australian Thomas do Canto finished as runner-up, with compatriot Reece Edwards securing third place. New Zealand's Camille French won the women's race.
This Melbourne Marathon was the third leg of Kipchoge's world tour, where he aims to complete a marathon on all seven continents over two years. Each event on this tour is intended to raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which supports education, environmental sustainability, and health initiatives.