Eliud Kipchoge wins first marathon in three years with record-breaking Melbourne run
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Eliud Kipchoge rolled back the years as he won his first marathon in three years, setting a new course record in Melbourne in the process.
The 41-year-old, making his debut in Melbourne, eclipsed the previous course benchmark by two seconds as he completed the race in 2:09:10, and was mobbed by cheering fans and the media at the finish line at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The Kenyan spent more than an hour celebrating with fans and signing autographs at the scene of his first marathon victory since Berlin in September 2023.
His compatriot Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh had set the previous record in 2022.
Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic champion and former world record holder, broke away from Jimmy Whelan with just over 10km to go and powered to the line solo, slowing down to wave to fans inside the cricket ground before the finish.
He said: “The crowd is so wonderful – I’ve never seen a crowd like this. Melbourne is really, really a sporting city.
“I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation. The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the gen Zs.”
“I [increased] the pace after 30km, to see whether I can run well and beat the [race record]. My plan went well.”
Kipchoge is currently completing a world tour, running a marathon on every continent, with Melbourne the third stop on his trip.
Australia’s Thomas Do Canto finished second in 2:10:35 with Whelan fifth. New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25.
