Nairobi, Kenya | Eliud Kipchoge just announced that the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival will serve as the third chapter of Eliud’s Running World, a series of seven marathons across all continents designed to inspire communities and unite the world through running. The 2026 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival takes place across two days on Saturday 10, and Sunday, 11 October, 2026.
For Kipchoge, racing in Melbourne represents the opportunity to reconnect with a passionate and deeply rooted running culture in Oceania after witnessing the passion of Australians firsthand at the TCS Sydney Marathon in 2025.
“Running brings people together across all borders,” said Kipchoge. “I am excited to return to Australia and experience the energy of the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival. The Australian running community is booming and the passion I experienced here before will stay with me for a lifetime. I saw that Australia is a real outdoor country with a big love for sports. That is why I can´t wait to come back, experience a new part of this great country and run together with the people of Melbourne and all of Oceania.”
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival has established itself as one of the premier races in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting elite athletes and tens of thousands of runners each year. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and its iconic finish inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the event represents both high-performance sport and a powerful community celebration.
Kipchoge’s participation marks a defining moment in the race’s history, elevating the event onto an even greater international stage while reinforcing its global ambition.
Marcus Gale, Event Director, Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival: “Having Eliud Kipchoge join us at the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival is a landmark moment – not just for our event, but for the entire Australian running community. Eliud is the greatest marathon runner of all time, and his decision to make Melbourne the official Oceania stop of his world tour is a testament to the strength and passion of our runners and the world-class experience we’ve built here. We can’t wait to welcome him to the MCG finish line, and to share that moment with the tens of thousands of runners and spectators who make this event so special.”
Eliud’s Running World
During the next two years Eliud Kipchoge sets out to run a marathon on all seven continents to fulfil his dream of making this world a running world. At each stop of this world tour Eliud will spend time alongside local activations to experience new cultures, meet and run alongside his fans while inspiring people to live a healthier life and unite the world through running. Funds will be raised throughout the project for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation focused on preserving the environment and providing education in areas that need it most.
