Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge says “his body is still peaking” after winning the Melbourne Marathon in a course record time at the age of 41.
The Kenyan crossed the line in two hours nine minutes 10 seconds for his 17th career win over the distance and 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.
“The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the Gen Zs.”
The course was partly raced along the Australian Formula One track at Albert Park and finished inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“On the course, it was really wonderful, I enjoyed seeing people standing, cheering, and shouting my name,” added Kipchoge, who slowed down inside the MCG to wave to the 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 was runner-up in 2:10:35, with compatriot Reece Edwards third.
New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25, followed by Australian Sinead Diver and Nichola Sheridan of Ireland.
The Melbourne Marathon was the third leg on Kipchoge’s world tour, on which he hopes to complete a marathon on all seven continents, including Antarctica, over two years.
Each marathon will raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on education, environmental sustainability and health.
Kipchoge is considered one of the greatest long-distance runners of all time, winning two Olympic marathon golds, plus a silver and bronze over 5000m.
His honours also include a world title, 12 World Marathon Major victories and two official world records.
In 2019 he became the first person to break the two-hour marathon barrier under special conditions in Vienna, clocking an unofficial time of one hour 59 minutes 40 seconds.