Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has declared that his body is still peaking after securing victory at the Melbourne Marathon with a course record time, despite being 41 years old.
The Kenyan runner crossed the finish line in two hours nine minutes and 10 seconds, marking his 17th career win over the marathon distance and his first since the Berlin Marathon in 2023.
“I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation,” Kipchoge said following his triumph.
“The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the Gen Zs.”
The challenging course wound partly through the Australian Formula One track at Albert Park before concluding inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“On the course, it was really wonderful, I enjoyed seeing people standing, cheering, and shouting my name,” Kipchoge added, noting that he slowed down inside the MCG to wave to the enthusiastic fans.
“It was actually different – running on a beautiful course, but also running on the Formula One track, and above all else, finishing on a cricket ground.”
“It makes me proud to run with the younger generation and inspire the running community in Melbourne.”
Australian Thomas do Canto finished in second place with a time of 2:10:35, while compatriot Reece Edwards claimed third position.
In the women’s race, New Zealand’s Camille French crossed the line first in 2:28:25, followed by Australian Sinead Diver and Ireland’s Nichola Sheridan.
The Melbourne Marathon represented the third leg of Kipchoge’s ambitious world tour, during which he aims to complete a marathon on all seven continents, including Antarctica, over a two-year period.
Each marathon event will support the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on education, environmental sustainability, and health initiatives.
Kipchoge continues to be regarded as one of the greatest long-distance runners in history, having won two Olympic marathon gold medals along with a silver and bronze in the 5000m events.
His impressive resume includes a world title, 12 World Marathon Major victories, and two official world records.
In 2019, he made history as the first person to break the two-hour marathon barrier under special conditions in Vienna, recording an extraordinary unofficial time of one hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds.
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