Eliud Kipchoge, the 41-year-old Kenyan marathon legend, claimed victory at the Nike Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, October 11, 2026. He finished with a course-record time of 2:09:10, shaving two seconds off the previous record set by compatriot Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh in 2022. This win marks Kipchoge's first marathon title since winning the Berlin Marathon in September 2023, ending a challenging period that included a 10th-place finish at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon and a DNF at the Paris Olympics.
The Melbourne Marathon was the third stop on Kipchoge's ambitious global marathon tour, which aims to cover all seven continents over two years. The tour began in South Africa in May 2026, with Brazil also on his list of destinations before arriving in Australia. Kipchoge's global marathon tour is not just about racing; it's also about raising funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which supports education, health, and environmental sustainability in communities around the world.
During the Melbourne Marathon, Kipchoge faced a stubborn rival in former professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan, who tracked Kipchoge through the first 30 kilometers. However, Kipchoge's experience and class told in the closing stages, as he pulled away decisively in the final 10km to finish well ahead of Australia's Thomas Do Canto, who crossed in 2:10:35 to take second.
The women's race at the Melbourne Marathon saw New Zealand's Camille French take the title in 2:28:25. The course itself added to the drama, with runners covering a stretch of Formula One track before the route wound into the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Kipchoge completed the final half-lap to a roaring crowd inside the iconic stadium.
Kipchoge's finishing time of 2:09:10 bettered the previous Melbourne course record of 2:09:12, set by fellow Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh in 2022. After the race, Kipchoge expressed his pride and gratitude, stating that the victory was special not just for the win and course record but for the experience shared with the crowd.
Writing on Facebook after the race, Kipchoge reflected on the significance of the event, saying it showed him once again that running has the power to unite people beyond sport. Fans quickly celebrated Kipchoge's comeback on social media, with many praising his endurance, discipline, and resilience.
The victory was also marked by a reunion with Dennis Ombachi, a former rugby star, who hosted Kipchoge on his balcony, where they shared a meal featuring grilled steak, ugali, and mursik. This reunion highlighted the connections and camaraderie within the sports community, even years after sharing the Olympic stage at Rio 2016.
Key points
- Eliud Kipchoge wins Melbourne Marathon with a course-record time of 2:09:10.
- The victory marks Kipchoge's first marathon title since winning the Berlin Marathon in September 2023.
- Kipchoge's global marathon tour aims to cover all seven continents over two years, supporting the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation.
