Athletics-Kipchoge wins first marathon in three years in Melbourne

Oct 11 (Reuters) – Kenya’s twice Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge won the Melbourne Marathon in a course record of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds on Sunday, claiming his 17th win over the distance at age 41.

• Kipchoge is attempting to run a marathon on all seven continents over two years, having launched his continental campaign at the Cape Town Marathon in May.

• Sunday’s win was his first in three years, after he won Berlin in 2023 for a record 11th title at the majors.

• “I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation,” Kipchoge told reporters after the race.

• “The oldest athlete is still competing but I am happy to run with the Gen Zs. I (increased) the pace after 30 km, to see whether I can run well and beat the (race record). My plan went well.”

• Australian Thomas Do Canto finished second behind Kipchoge at 2:10:35, while compatriot Reece Edwards was third at 2:14:33.

• New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25, followed by Australian Sinead Diver at 2:28:49 and Nichola Sheridan of Ireland at 2:29:13.

(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, additional reporting by Aadi Nair; Editing by Jamie Freed)