Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has secured his first marathon victory in three years, cruising to a notable win in Melbourne, Australia. The decorated Kenyan athlete crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds, performing strongly as part of his ongoing global tour.

This triumph marks his first major win over the distance since the Berlin marathon in 2023. The event is reportedly part of a wider 'World Tour' initiative intended to raise funds for causes promoted by the athlete. The 41-year-old former world record-holder previously announced ambitious plans to complete marathons across all seven continents over a two-year span.

Melbourne served as the third stop on this journey, following previous events in South Africa and Brazil. The course uniquely incorporated parts of the Australian Formula One track at Albert Park before concluding inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where Kipchoge slowed down slightly to wave to enthusiastic fans.

Speaking after the race, Kipchoge purportedly claimed that his body remains at its peak and capable of competing against younger generations, despite ongoing skepticism regarding the longevity of elite runners in modern sports logistics and endurance challenges.

Source: www.aljazeera.com