Eliud Kipchoge, 41, wins Melbourne Marathon with new course record
Kipchoge broke away in the final 10 km to claim victory and a new Melbourne course record of 2:09:10.
Eliud Kipchoge, at 41, won the Melbourne Marathon and set a new course record with a time of 2:09:10. The legendary Kenyan broke clear in the final 10 kilometres to secure victory in his first appearance at the Melbourne course.
Australia's Thomas Do Canto finished second in 2:10:35, while Rees Edwards completed the podium in third with 2:14:33. Kipchoge's time shaved two seconds off the previous course record.
Race context and significance
This victory marks Kipchoge's first marathon win since his triumph in Berlin in 2023 — his first major victory in three years. The result came as part of a wider world tour during which he intends to run marathons on all seven continents within a two-year period.
Observers noted that the decisive move came after the 32-kilometre mark, when Kipchoge increased the tempo and gradually pulled away from his rivals over the final stretch. The win underlines that, at 41, he remains competitive at the highest level of the sport.
It was Kipchoge's maiden appearance at Melbourne and the course record improvement — albeit by two seconds — adds another milestone to his long career of marathon achievements.
Photo: AW @AthleticsWeekly (X)
