Running News Daily

MELBOURNE, Australia — Kenyan marathon great Eliud Kipchoge added another memorable chapter to his illustrious career on Sunday, October 11, 2026, winning the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival in a course-record time of 2:09:10

The victory further underlined the 41-year-old's enduring class and competitive spirit as he continues his ambitious global project, Eliud’s Running World, a three-year journey aimed at completing a marathon on every continent.

Kipchoge's performance delivered another milestone in a career defined by extraordinary consistency, historic achievements and an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of distance running. His Melbourne triumph marked the 17th marathon victory of his career, adding another prestigious result to a remarkable record on the roads.

Kipchoge's Melbourne triumph was particularly significant as it marked his return to the top of the marathon podium three years after his previous marathon victory in Berlin in 2023. At 41, the Kenyan legend demonstrated that experience, discipline and an enduring passion for running can continue to produce exceptional performances at the highest level. His course-record time of 2:09:10 was a powerful reminder of his remarkable longevity in a sport that demands extraordinary physical and mental strength.

Australia's Thomas Do Canto finished second in 2:10:35, while compatriot Reece Edwards took third in 2:14:33, completing an all-Australian finish behind the Kenyan champion. For Kipchoge, the victory represented more than another achievement in his decorated career; it was another opportunity to inspire runners of all ages and reinforce his belief in the unifying power of the sport. His Melbourne success added fresh momentum to his global running tour and reaffirmed his status as one of the most influential marathon runners in history.

The Kenyan star broke away from his rivals in the closing stages of the 42.195-kilometre race before crossing the finish line inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). His official finishing time of 2:09:10 set a new course record, improving the previous mark of 2:09:12 established by Timothy Ronoh in 2022.  

Melbourne represented the third stop on Kipchoge's ambitious Eliud's Running World journey. The project began with the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa in May, followed by the NB42K Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil in July. His latest appearance took the initiative to Oceania, bringing one of the greatest figures in distance-running history to Melbourne's passionate running community.

Kipchoge's Melbourne appearance was about much more than chasing another victory. The Kenyan legend embraced the city's running culture, sharing the course with runners of different abilities and inspiring the next generation through his presence. His course-record performance provided a fitting highlight to a day that celebrated the power of running to bring people together, with enthusiastic spectators lining the route and the spectacular finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground adding to the occasion.

Reflecting on the experience, Kipchoge expressed his pride in winning a new race record while continuing his global mission to inspire runners and communities around the world. He also praised the tremendous support he received throughout the race, describing the atmosphere in Melbourne as an unforgettable experience that went beyond the competition itself.

“Today was such a special day, not only running my third World Tour, but also winning in a new race record. It makes me proud to run with the younger generation and inspire the running community in Melbourne. Today was about more than sport. It was about the energy of the city, the huge support along the race route, running alongside so many other runners, and a stunning finish at the MCG. No words can describe that feeling. Thank you, Melbourne.”

The two-time Olympic marathon champion has built a legacy through his remarkable achievements, including becoming the first man to complete a marathon in under two hours during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in 2019, although that performance was not eligible for an official world record.

At 41, Kipchoge continues to demonstrate his love for the sport, using his global journey to promote running as a force for unity, inspiration and positive change across communities and continents.

His Melbourne victory was therefore more than another addition to his impressive collection of marathon wins. It was a statement of continued competitiveness and a celebration of a career that has helped shape modern marathon running.

With four continental stops remaining on his seven-continent mission, Kipchoge's journey is far from over. His latest triumph in Australia has provided another compelling chapter in the story of a champion whose influence extends well beyond the finish line.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — The countdown is almost over. On Sunday, October 11, Eliud Kipchoge will return to marathon racing in Australia as the legendary Kenyan takes the next step in his extraordinary seven-continent world tour.

The two-time Olympic marathon champion will headline the 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon, marking the third stop of his global journey after opening the project in Cape Town in May before travelling to Porto Alegre, Brazil, in July. Melbourne now becomes the next chapter in a remarkable mission designed to take one of the greatest marathoners in history across all seven continents.

And for Kipchoge, the Melbourne visit carries a message that reaches beyond the marathon itself.

Reflecting on the history of the Olympic city, Kipchoge drew inspiration from an extraordinary moment in 1956, when a 17-year-old boy named Ian (John Wing) encouraged Melbourne to come together and walk during the Olympic Games.

“In 1956, a 17-year-old kid called Ian (John Wing) told Melbourne to walk together during the Olympic Games. Seventy years down the line, I am going to tell the people of Melbourne, let us run together,” Kipchoge said.

The message perfectly captures the spirit behind his latest global adventure — using running not simply as competition, but as a way of bringing people together, inspiring communities and connecting different parts of the world through the sport he has devoted his life to.

And Melbourne has prepared for the occasion.

The 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon has undergone one of the most significant course transformations in its history. Organisers have created a faster and flatter route, reducing elevation gain by up to 20 per cent and cutting the number of turns by around 30 per cent. The demanding climb between Birdwood Avenue and Domain Road has also been removed, while the race will once again culminate with the iconic finish inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

For Kipchoge, however, this journey is about far more than chasing another fast marathon time.

At 41, the Kenyan legend is at a different stage of his career. The days of relentlessly pursuing world records may be behind him, but his ambition remains unmistakable. This time, the challenge is to take his message of running, unity and inspiration to every corner of the world while sharing the road with runners and communities across seven continents.

The Melbourne appearance also carries a special significance. Kipchoge has never previously raced the Nike Melbourne Marathon, and his arrival has added another layer of excitement to an event already entering a new era. More than 60,000 participants are expected across the festival, while the marathon itself has a capacity of 20,000 runners.

The race will begin at 6:15 a.m. local time on Sunday, with runners setting off from Batman Avenue before making their way through some of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks. The finish inside the MCG promises to provide a spectacular backdrop for what could become one of the most memorable moments of Kipchoge's global tour.

Kipchoge arrives in Melbourne with a formidable legacy that few athletes in any sport can match. He is a two-time Olympic champion, a former marathon world-record holder and the first man to run a marathon under two hours in a controlled, non-record-eligible event.

Yet his latest challenge is not about adding another number to an already extraordinary list of achievements.

It is about the journey.

From Africa to South America and now Oceania, Kipchoge's seven-continent adventure is allowing fans around the world to see the marathon icon in places where he has never raced before. Each race represents another opportunity to connect with runners, inspire younger generations and celebrate the power of the sport that has defined his life.

And in Melbourne, his message is simple: let us run together.

On Sunday morning, the streets will fill with thousands of runners, spectators will line the course, and one of the most celebrated athletes in the history of distance running will once again stand on a marathon start line.

Seventy years after a teenager encouraged Melbourne to walk together during the 1956 Olympic Games, Kipchoge will return to the city with a new invitation — to run together.

Eliud Kipchoge is coming to Melbourne, and the world will be watching.

For years, Grace Sugut has been a familiar presence alongside one of the greatest marathon runners in history, Eliud Kipchoge. Now, her own running story is beginning to take shape.

Sugut is preparing for the third marathon of her career when she lines up at the Nike Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, October 11, 2026, sharing the start line with her husband once again as Kipchoge continues his ambitious global marathon journey in Australia.

What makes Grace’s story particularly fascinating is the speed at which her marathon journey has developed. Rather than spending years building towards the distance, she has embraced the challenge in a relatively short period, travelling across continents and gradually establishing her own identity as a marathon runner.

Her journey began in Cape Town on May 24, 2026, where she completed her marathon debut in 4:29:59. That first race marked the beginning of a new chapter for a woman who had long been closely connected to marathon running through Kipchoge.

Just weeks later, she continued that adventure in South America, taking on the NB42K Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil on July 12. The race provided another opportunity to gain experience over the demanding 42.195-kilometre distance and add another international marathon to her growing journey.

Now, Melbourne awaits.

The Nike Melbourne Marathon will give Grace another chance to test herself over the full marathon distance, this time on a redesigned course that organisers have made faster and flatter. The 2026 route features up to 20 per cent less elevation gain and 30 per cent fewer turns, while the race will once again finish inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The marathon starts at 6:15 a.m. from Batman Avenue before taking runners through some of Melbourne’s most recognisable areas and ultimately into the MCG for a memorable stadium finish.

For Grace, however, Melbourne represents more than another race on the calendar.

It places her directly inside the extraordinary global adventure being undertaken by her husband.

Kipchoge’s Eliud’s Running World project is taking him to seven marathons across all seven continents over a two-year period, combining marathon racing with a wider mission to bring communities together through running and support education and environmental initiatives through the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation.

Melbourne is the third stop of that journey, following Cape Town in South Africa and Porto Alegre in Brazil.

And this time, Grace is not simply accompanying the journey from the sidelines.

She is running it.

From Cape Town to Porto Alegre and now Melbourne, her progression reflects a personal transformation from being closely associated with marathon running through Eliud to taking on the distance herself.

There is something deeply compelling about that journey. While Kipchoge has spent more than a decade building one of the most celebrated marathon careers in history, Grace is beginning her own story from a very different starting point — learning the marathon one race, one continent and one kilometre at a time.

On October 11, thousands of runners will fill Melbourne’s streets, while the spectacular finish inside the MCG will provide the backdrop for another memorable day of marathon running.

Kipchoge will continue his seven-continent mission.

Grace Sugut will have a simpler but equally personal objective: to keep moving forward and complete another 42.195 kilometres.

From supporting a marathon legend to becoming a marathon runner herself, Grace’s journey is only beginning — and Melbourne could become another important chapter in a story that is already taking her around the world.

Eliud Kipchoge's remarkable World Tour continued on Brazilian soil as the Kenyan marathon icon completed the New Balance 42K Porto Alegre Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:18:39 to place 12th overall during the second stop of his ambitious seven-continent global running tour.

Competing against a strong international field, the two-time Olympic marathon champion displayed the resilience and determination that have defined his legendary career. While the result was not among the victories that have made him one of the greatest marathon runners in history, Kipchoge once again demonstrated the unwavering commitment that continues to inspire athletes and fans across the globe.

Morocco's Zineddine Ouria claimed victory in a superb 2:08:49, with Kipchoge finishing 9 minutes and 50 seconds behind the race winner after navigating the demanding course in Porto Alegre.

Kipchoge began the race with controlled and confident pacing, reaching 5km in 15:34 before passing the halfway mark in 1:05:07. As the race entered its decisive stages, the pace gradually slowed, but the veteran marathoner pressed on with characteristic determination, completing the 42.195-kilometre challenge in 2:18:39.

For many, the story will be told through the finishing position. But for those who truly understand greatness, this journey is about far more than medals, records, or podium finishes. Kipchoge's World Tour is a celebration of the sport itself—an opportunity to connect with runners across every continent, inspire the next generation, and continue living by the philosophy that has become synonymous with his career: "No Human Is Limited."

The Brazilian appearance also carried added significance, coming shortly after Kipchoge was permanently honoured in Porto Alegre with his footprints unveiled at the entrance of Parque Harmonia—a lasting tribute to his extraordinary impact on distance running and his enduring legacy in the sport.

Once a champion. Forever an inspiration. Legends do not stop inspiring when the victories become fewer; they inspire because they never stop showing up. Through every stride, every finish line, and every challenge embraced, Kipchoge continues to prove that true greatness is measured not only by what an athlete wins, but by the lives they touch along the way.

With the second stop of his World Tour now complete, Kipchoge will turn his attention to the next chapter of his global adventure when he lines up at the Melbourne Marathon in Australia this October. Wherever he races, millions will once again follow the journey of a man whose legacy extends far beyond the stopwatch.

There are moments in sport that transcend records and victories, becoming lasting symbols of inspiration. One such moment has now been created in Brazil, where Kenyan marathon great Eliud Kipchoge has received one of the highest forms of recognition for his extraordinary contribution to athletics and global sport.

At the entrance of Parque Harmonia in Porto Alegre, Kipchoge has officially left his footprints, ensuring that his presence will remain a part of the city's sporting heritage for generations to come. Eliud Kipchoge has been permanently honored in Brazil with his footprints at the entrance of Parque Harmonia. The recognition celebrates far more than his remarkable achievements on the roads—it acknowledges the profound influence he has had on athletes, fans, and the global running community.

For millions around the world, Kipchoge represents the very definition of excellence. The two-time Olympic marathon champion has built one of the greatest careers in distance running history, winning multiple World Marathon Majors, setting world records, and becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours under controlled conditions. Yet beyond the medals and milestones, it is his humility, discipline, and unwavering belief that "No Human Is Limited" that have transformed him into a global symbol of perseverance and possibility.

The permanent installation at Parque Harmonia stands as a powerful reminder that true greatness extends far beyond finish lines and podiums. Every visitor who walks past those footprints will be reminded of an athlete whose remarkable journey has inspired millions to dream bigger, work harder, and challenge the boundaries of human potential.

Few athletes earn recognition that becomes part of a city's landscape. Kipchoge has now joined that exclusive company, with his legacy literally etched into Brazilian soil—a fitting honor for a man whose influence reaches every corner of the running world.

As he continues to inspire both on and off the roads, Eliud Kipchoge's impact has already become timeless. His story is no longer defined solely by Olympic titles, world records, or marathon victories, but by the lives he has touched and the belief he has instilled in future generations.

His footprints in Porto Alegre symbolize far more than where he has been—they represent the path he has paved for countless others to follow. It is a legacy that will endure long after the final finish line, proving once again that true champions do not simply make history—they leave an everlasting mark on the world.

The countdown is on for what promises to be one of South America's most compelling marathon races of the year, as an exceptional men's elite field prepares to line up for the New Balance 42K Porto Alegre in Brazil on 12 July 2026.

Leading the field is marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, whose remarkable personal best of 2:01:09 makes him the standout name on an entry list packed with proven international performers. The two-time Olympic marathon champion brings unrivalled experience and one of the greatest résumés in distance running, adding global prestige to the Porto Alegre event.

Just days before the race, Kipchoge shared an emotional message on social media, revealing the personal significance of his return to Brazil.

"The second part of my World Tour takes me to Porto Alegre, Brazil, a place that holds a very special meaning in my heart and in my career," he wrote.

Kipchoge reflected on the memories that continue to inspire him, recalling that Brazil was where he captured his first Olympic marathon gold medal—a defining achievement that transformed both his career and his life.

"Going back to Brazil means a lot to me. This is where I won my first Olympic gold medal, a moment that changed my life forever and shaped the path I continue to walk today. The memories of that achievement will always stay with me, not as a finish line, but as a beginning. To return here carries deep meaning."

He concluded his message by inviting fans to be part of the occasion, saying: "Porto Alegre, let us run together and celebrate the spirit of Brazil and the energy of South America."

Kipchoge will face a formidable challenge from a deep and competitive field featuring Ethiopia's Shifera Tamru (2:05:18), Kebede Tulu Wami (2:05:19) and Derese Workneh (2:06:58), all capable of producing world-class performances on the right day.

Kenya will also be strongly represented by Philemon Kiptoo (2:05:35), Timothy Kipkorir Kattam (2:06:40), Thomas Kibet Maru (2:07:53) and Dominic Nyairo (2:09:13), ensuring another thrilling chapter in the long-standing Kenya-Ethiopia rivalry that has defined elite marathon racing for decades.

The international field is further strengthened by Brazil's José Márcio Leão and Paulo Roberto Paula, Chile's Hugo Catrileo, Morocco's Yakoub Labquira and Zineddine Ouria, and Paraguay's Derlys Ayala, giving the race a truly global flavour.

With a blend of marathon champions, rising contenders and experienced campaigners assembled on the start line, the streets of Porto Alegre are set to host a captivating battle over 42.195 kilometres. Beyond the pursuit of victory, Kipchoge's return adds an emotional dimension to the event, reconnecting him with a country where one of the defining chapters of his legendary career was written. As the world turns its attention to Brazil, fans can expect a fiercely contested race where tactical brilliance, endurance and resilience will determine who emerges victorious.

At 41 years old, marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge continues to defy time and redefine greatness. After opening his 2026 World Marathon Tour campaign at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in South Africa, the Kenyan legend is now preparing for the next stop of his global journey — the Porto Alegre Marathon in Brazil on Sunday, July 12.

Kipchoge crossed the finish line in Cape Town in 2:13:29, placing 16th overall while maintaining an average pace of 3:09 per kilometre. Although the result may not reflect the dominance that defined many of his peak years, the performance once again highlighted the extraordinary longevity, discipline, and fighting spirit of one of the greatest marathon runners in history.

Even at 41, Kipchoge remains one of the most respected and influential figures in world athletics. His presence alone transforms races into global attractions, drawing attention from fans, athletes, and organizers across continents. From his historic unofficial sub-two-hour marathon achievement — a groundbreaking performance that changed the perception of human endurance forever to multiple Olympic and World Marathon Major triumphs, the Kenyan superstar has already secured a legacy few athletes will ever match.

Now, attention shifts to Brazil, where excitement is rapidly building ahead of his appearance at the Porto Alegre Marathon. The race is expected to attract massive international interest as South American fans prepare to witness one of the sport’s greatest icons compete live on their streets.

Kipchoge’s enduring philosophy, “No Human Is Limited,” continues to inspire millions around the world. More than a slogan, it has become a symbol of resilience, ambition, and the belief that barriers are meant to be challenged regardless of age or circumstance.

As he continues his 2026 campaign, Kipchoge is proving that greatness is not only measured by victories, but also by consistency, influence, and the courage to keep competing at the highest level. From Cape Town to Porto Alegre, the marathon king’s remarkable journey continues to captivate the athletics world.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge is set to continue his ambitious global running mission with a highly anticipated appearance at the NB42K Porto Alegre on July 12, 2026, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The South American race will form part of Kipchoge’s unique World Tour project — a challenge that will see the Kenyan great run seven marathons across all seven continents over the next two years. The initiative reflects his vision of using running as a universal platform to connect people and inspire communities around the world.

The visit to Brazil also carries deep personal significance for the two-time Olympic champion. It comes exactly ten years after his unforgettable victory in the 2016 Rio Olympic Marathon in Rio de Janeiro, where he captured the first of his Olympic gold medals and cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

In a message shared on his social media platforms, Kipchoge expressed both excitement and nostalgia about returning to Brazil.

“Running is a universal language that speaks to hope, discipline, and unity. I am very excited to return to Brazil where I won my first Olympic Gold medal. Each continent has its own spirit, and I look forward to sharing this journey with South America while inspiring people to believe that No Human Is Limited. See you on the streets of Porto Alegre on 12 July at the NB42k!”

Kipchoge’s global journey will begin on African soil at the Cape Town Marathon in Cape Town, South Africa on May 24, before the legendary Kenyan heads to South America for the Brazilian stop.

As the world’s most celebrated marathoner continues to write new chapters in his remarkable career, his message remains clear — that running has the power to unite people across continents while reminding the world that no human is limited.