- Eliud Kipchoge landed back in Kenya following his victory at the 2026 Melbourne Marathon, his first marathon win in three years
- The 41-year-old broke the Melbourne course record by two seconds, clocking 2 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds in what was his 17th marathon win
- Video of Kipchoge's homecoming reception sparked heated debate online, with many Kenyans arguing the legend deserves far more celebration
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Kenya's greatest marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge, is back on home soil after a stunning performance in Melbourne, and Kenyans online cannot stop talking about how he was welcomed.
Source: Facebook
The 41-year-old touched down in Nairobi following his victory at the 2026 Melbourne Marathon on Sunday, October 11, a race in which he clocked 2 hours, 9 minutes and 10 seconds to break the course record by two seconds.
How Kipchoge was received after his Melbourne win
Following his record-breaking Melbourne Marathon victory, Kipchoge received a hero’s welcome at Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi upon his return to Kenya.
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The homecoming celebration was organised by Absa Bank Kenya, his long-term financial partner, which officially unveiled him as its Official World Tour Financial Partner.
The multi-year partnership will support Kipchoge’s ambitious mission to run marathons across all seven continents.
How did Kipchoge clinch the Melbourne Marathon victory
The win marked his 17th marathon victory overall and his first since claiming the 2023 Berlin Marathon title three years ago.
The iconic Kenyan pulled away from the lead group during the final 10 kilometres of the race, crossing the finish line inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Before completing his final lap, he slowed to wave at the roaring crowd, a moment that quickly circulated on social media. After the race, a confident Kipchoge told reporters his "body is still peaking," hinting there is plenty more to come from the legend.
Melbourne was the third leg of Kipchoge's ambitious World Tour, a two-year project in which he plans to run marathons across all seven continents.
The tour, backed by Absa Bank Kenya as his official financial partner, aims to raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation and inspire running communities globally. His previous stops included South Africa, representing Africa, and Brazil, representing South America.
President William Ruto was among those leading tributes after the Melbourne triumph, describing Kipchoge as the "G.O.A.T." and praising his resilience.
Despite the warm words from the presidency, footage of Kipchoge's homecoming reception sparked a very different conversation online.
Many fans were visibly frustrated by what they felt was a lukewarm in-person welcome, with several pointing out that attendees in the background appeared seated and unenthusiastic as the champion walked in.
Watch Eliud Kipchoge's homecoming reception
Kenyans celebrate Kipchoge
@ngechii_:
"I feel like he is not celebrated enough 😢"
@talk2ben_md:
"Whoever put this dress together for my GOAT marathoner should be arrested immediately! 🤷♂️"
@sharongitau:
"Dancing like a old man but runs like a 20 year old 😂😂😂😂"
@asydarlyn:
"Kenyans don't value this man enough! It's so sad. If he was Nigerian, the brand deals and massive PR that will follow him ehhhh."
@veli_scrappy:
"In terms of accomplishments, Eliud is at par with Lionel Messi, he is the greatest of all time to ever run a marathon. Yet Kenyans are preparing a parade to celebrate Messi's retirement 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ such hypocricy"
@harriet_wonder:
"Please why were those in the background seated when our GOAT entered 😭😭😭"
@jacquenjau87:
"Lord if i make it give me this Eliud kipchoge's humility"
How much did Kipchoge earn from his Melbourne victory?
TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about Kipchoge’s estimated earnings after he won the 2026 Melbourne Marathon and set a course record.
The 41-year-old Kenyan reportedly stands to receive about KSh 5.46 million in prize money and bonuses.
Source: TUKO.co.ke