Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge captured victory at the Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, setting a new course record in the process. The Kenyan runner completed the race in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 10 seconds, narrowly surpassing the previous record of 2:09:12 set by fellow Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh in 2022.

Kipchoge, 41, slowed down near the finish line to acknowledge the enthusiastic crowd inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the final half-lap was held. “I’ve never seen a crowd like this. Melbourne is really, really a sporting city,” he said in post-race comments. The veteran athlete expressed confidence in his performance, noting, “I believe that my body is still peaking, still able to compete with the next generation.” He further remarked on his experience competing alongside younger runners, stating, “The oldest athlete is still competing, but I am happy to run with the Gen Zs.”

The men’s podium was completed by Australians Thomas Do Canto and Reece Edwards. In the women’s race, New Zealander Camille French took first place, followed by Australian Sinead Diver in second and Ireland’s Nichola Sheridan in third.

The Melbourne Marathon marked the third event in the Eliud Kipchoge World Tour, a series in which Kipchoge aims to complete seven marathons on seven continents over two years. His ultimate goal is to conclude the tour with a race in Antarctica.