Thousands take to Melbourne streets for marathon festival

Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge, 41, achieved a historic moment at the Melbourne Marathon, breaking the race record by two seconds with a time of two hours nine minutes and 10 seconds. This victory marked Kipchoge's first marathon win in three years. The two-time Olympic champion and former world record-holder started the race alongside Jimmy Whelan, a former Australian professional cyclist, from whom he gained a significant boost in pace.

Kipchoge's performance, characterized by a surge towards the end of the race, secured his position among the next generation of runners. He expressed his satisfaction with his body's ability to compete with younger athletes, stating, "My body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation." Kipchoge dedicated his visit to Melbourne to more than just a race, emphasizing the city's rich sporting heritage and expressing his delight at the crowd's enthusiasm.

He added, "I am happy to run with the gen Zs." The Kenyan athlete previously visited Australia in 2025, finishing ninth in the Sydney Marathon. In the women’s marathon, New Zealand's Camille French secured the top spot, with Australia’s Sinead Diver and Sinead Diver following closely.