Full Breakdown
Kipchoge Sets New Melbourne Marathon Record in Debut Victory
By Drooid · · How we work
Record-Breaking Win in Melbourne
On October 11, 2026, two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge won the Melbourne Marathon, finishing in 2 hours 9 minutes 10 seconds. The time beat the previous race record by two seconds. Kipchoge broke away inside the final 10 kilometres and, after crossing the finish line inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), slowed to wave to spectators.
Background & Context
Kipchoge announced in 2025 that he would run a marathon on each of the seven continents within two years, a “World Tour” intended to raise funds for charitable causes. The Melbourne event was the third leg, following marathons in South Africa and Brazil. His last marathon victory had been at the Berlin Marathon in September 2023, ending a three-year winless stretch.
Data & Statistics
- Men’s winner: Eliud Kipchoge – 2:09:10 (2 seconds faster than the prior record).
- Previous record: Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh – 2:09:12 (set in 2022).
- Runner-up: Thomas Do Canto (Australia) – 2:10:35.
- Women’s winner: Camille French (New Zealand) – 2:28:25.
- Second-place woman: Sinead Diver (Australia) – 2:28:49.
- The 42.2 km course traced St Kilda Road, passed Flinders Street Station, looped around Albert Park Lake, and finished on the MCG’s northern stands, incorporating a segment of the Formula One track.
Official Statements & Responses
Kipchoge said the Melbourne crowd was “wonderful” and that the city’s sporting culture impressed him. He emphasized that his body remains “peaking” and that he can still compete with the “next generation.” The athlete highlighted the symbolic value of finishing at the MCG, the venue of the 1956 Olympic marathon, and expressed a desire to return for future sporting events in the city. Race organizers noted that the event proceeded smoothly despite a traffic incident near the route and praised the large spectator turnout.
On-the-Ground Reports
Around 10:45 a.m., a woman was struck by a car near Flinders Street Station, about 200 metres from the marathon route. Police officers reportedly drew their weapons after the vehicle, described as driving erratically, performed a U-turn and fled the scene. The woman was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital; her condition was not disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “On the course, it was really wonderful, I enjoyed seeing people standing, cheering and shouting my name,” — Eliud Kipchoge, two-time olympic champion
- “So I come here to celebrate the 70 years and tell the people of Melbourne, 'Let us run together here at the MCG' so it was a beautiful time for me, happy to enter this stadium,” — Eliud Kipchoge, two-time olympic champion
- “Actually, the crowd is wonderful. I have never seen a crowd like this,” — Eliud Kipchoge, two-time olympic champion
What’s Next
Kipchoge’s world-tour schedule includes a planned marathon on Antarctica later in the two-year program, completing his goal of competing on all seven continents.