By Roger Vaughan in Melbourne

Marathon’s greatest competitor Eliud Kipchoge has sent a message to the next generation, declaring he’s not done yet.

The 41-year-old Kenyan revelled in his Melbourne debut on Sunday, breaking the race record and delighting thousands of fans at the MCG finish.

Beating the old race mark by two seconds, his two hours nine minutes and 10 seconds over a new course gave Kipchoge his first marathon win in three years.

Australian former pro cyclist Jimmy Whelan was with the two-time Olympic champion and former world record holder until about 30km. Then Kipchoge went up a gear and dominated to the finish.

Looking like he’d just done a training run, Kipchoge then spent well over half an hour celebrating with fans along the MCG boundary fence.

Kipchoge was mobbed by media at the finish and took the chaos in his stride.

“The crowd is so wonderful – I’ve never seen a crowd like this. Melbourne is really, really a sporting city,” he said.

“I believe that my body is still peaking – still able to compete with the next generation.

“The oldest athlete is still competing, but I am happy to run with the Gen Zs.”

“I (increased) the pace after 30km, to see whether I can run well and beat the (race record). My plan went well.”

Kipchoge said repeatedly over the last few days that his Melbourne visit was more than just another race. It is the third leg in his world tour, where he will do a marathon on each continent, including Antarctica.

He has also done some community work while in Melbourne and is acutely aware of the city’s rich sporting heritage. Kipchoge noted that the race course went past some famous landmarks.

“The experience is awesome – the culture of Melbourne is wonderful. The last four days, I’ve seen myself, sport can do wonders,” he said.

“It was four-in-one – with the tennis, finishing at the cricket, the Olympics were here in 1956, running on the Formula One track.

“I will come back to Melbourne to watch the tennis, the formula one next year, to see people of Melbourne playing cricket. This is the best track ever.”

Kipchoge could have finished a few seconds quicker, but was waving to the crowd on the half-lap inside the MCG to the finish.

This is his second visit to Australia and his Melbourne Marathon debut.

Australian Thomas Do Canto was runner-up in 2:10:35 and Whelan was fifth. New Zealand’s Camille French won the women’s race in 2:28:25, with Australian Sinead Diver next in 2:28.49.

Australian Seth O’Donnell and New Zealander Georgie Gregec won the half-marathon titles.

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