KIPCHOGE WINS MELBOURNE MARATHON IN COURSE RECORD TIME

Eliud Kipchoge won the Melbourne Marathon on his debut in the city, setting a new course record of 2:09:10. The Kenyan beat the previous course mark, set by compatriot Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh in 2022, by two seconds. It was his first marathon victory in three years, since he won in Berlin in September 2023. He finished at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he was mobbed by fans and media. He spent time celebrating with supporters and signing autographs, with one report putting the duration at more than an hour and another at well over half an hour.

Kipchoge, 41, is a two-time Olympic champion and former marathon world record holder. He ran alongside Jimmy Whelan, a former Australian professional cyclist, before breaking away in the closing stages of the race, with reports giving slightly different points at which the gap opened. He then ran solo to the finish, slowing to wave to the crowd inside the MCG before crossing the line. Australia's Thomas Do Canto finished second in 2:10:35, while Whelan came fifth. New Zealand's Camille French won the women's race in 2:28:25.

Kipchoge said his body was "still peaking" and that he was happy to compete against younger runners, describing them as "the gen Zs". He said he increased his pace after the 30km mark to test whether he could beat the course record, adding that his plan "went well". He also described Melbourne as "really, really a sporting city", citing its tennis, Formula One and cricket venues. The win formed the third stage of a world tour in which Kipchoge is aiming to run a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica. It was his second visit to Australia.