Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has made a triumphant return to the sport, winning the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, marking his first marathon victory in three years. The 41-year-old Kenyan broke the race record by two seconds, finishing with a time of 2:09:10 on a new course, much to the delight of thousands of fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Race Highlights

  • Kipchoge ran alongside former Australian professional cyclist Jimmy Whelan until about the 30km mark, after which he accelerated to dominate the race.
  • After crossing the finish line, Kipchoge celebrated with fans for over half an hour, showcasing his joy and connection with the crowd.
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“The crowd is so wonderful – I’ve never seen a crowd like this,” Kipchoge expressed. “Melbourne is really, really a sporting city.”

Kipchoge emphasized his belief that he is still at the peak of his abilities, stating, “I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation.” He expressed his happiness to run alongside younger athletes, referring to them as the "gen Zs."