Yesterday, more than 34,500 registered participants took part in the 44th Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival – with international elite runners welcomed back into the fold for the first time since 2019.
Kenya’s Timothy Kiplagat Ronoh won the men’s Nike Melbourne Marathon with a time of 2:09:12, smashing Dominic Ondoro’s 2013 record by more than one minute and 30 seconds, doubling his winnings to $40,000 in prize money as a result of the achievement. At 29 years of age, today marked the third time Ronoh has ever run the 42.195km distance making the win even more special. In a close second place was fellow Kenyan Cornelius Kibet Kiplagat with a time of 2:10:24, followed by Melbourne’s Reece Edwards in third place in 2:14:41.
The winner of the women’s Nike Melbourne Marathon was Beatrice Cheptoo from Kenya who tackled the 42.195km course in time of 2:27:58, receiving a coveted cash prize of $20,000. The event and her achievement marked her first visit to Australia, one she won’t forget. Adelaide’s Izzi Batt-Doyle was the fastest Australian woman to cross the finish line in a time of 2:28:10 marking her debut in the 42.195km event. Yenebeba Maru Ejigu from Ethiopia rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 2:28:54.
The first athlete to cross the Nike Half Marathon finish line was Melbourne’s Jack Rayner who raced against the clock to secure a time of 1:02:16 – backing up his 2021 win in the same event. 2022 Commonwealth Games marathon winner Jess Stenson was the first woman to complete the 21.1km distance, with a time of 1:12:22. Her impressive time giving a taste of what’s to come when she takes on the New York Marathon in November.
The SriLankan Airlines 10km was won in the men’s category by Dale Carroll from Victoria with a time of 30:19. Adelaide’s Caitlin Adams was the fastest female to complete the 10km event with a time of 32:27.
Festival Director, Marcus Gale, commented: “Congratulations to the winners and everyone who got involved in the 2022 Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival. Whether you were tackling the 42.195km for the first or 44th time, soaking up the city’s sights on the 3km track or cheering from the MCG grandstand, it was incredible to see the Australian running community out in full force and an honour to deliver another successful event for the city.”
“This year, participants raised in excess of $1.1 million for almost 250 deserving charities and causes across the country including our official charity partner of 15-years, the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre, and associate charities Beyond Blue, Australian Red Cross, The Heart Foundation, JMB Foundation and Cure Cancer.”
Vice President and General Manager, Nike Australia, Ashley Reade commented: “We love partnering with an event that is an incredible example of the power of sport and the community around it. Being out there myself today, the energy, passion and support of every athlete participating or cheer squad encouraging was inspiring. This felt like the Melbourne, Australian and International running community at its best. On behalf of Nike, a huge congratulations to the winners today, but also a big congratulations to everyone who got out there and walked, ran, or rolled over through the course. Can’t wait to see you next year!”
The Festival saw some of the city’s biggest names take part including champion long-distance runner Steve Moneghetti and former AFL player Daniel Gorringe. Decorated Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus kicked off festivities by ringing the bell at the Nike Melbourne Marathon start line, and 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott celebrated his brother Zack’s first half marathon on the finish line.
The event was also significant for five-year-old Sophie Payne who has received therapy from the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre since she was 12 months old. Sophie last participated in the 3km Walk at the Festival in 2019 and today, she celebrated a huge milestone by completing the course unassisted for the very first time alongside her parents David and Lorrae.
Cancer survivor Sam Warren was another awe-inspiring participant who followed in her father’s footsteps by tackling her first full marathon. A new mother, Sam hopes to raise $5,000 for Mummy’s Wish, a charity providing support services to mums of children under 13 whilst they are receiving treatment for cancer.
A number of colourful entrants also took part in the event, including a runner dressed as a Viking, a participant posing as a friendly neighbourhood Spiderman, and Melbourne police officer Glenn Holland snacking on a doughnut as he crossed the finish line.
The day was particularly momentous for the event’s three ‘Spartan Legends’, John Dobson, Wayne Thompson and David Foskey who repped their eye-catching yellow Spartan singlets and completed their 44th consecutive Melbourne Marathon. Following in their footsteps were the hundreds of participants running their tenth Melbourne Marathon, who today became recognised as Spartans.
Not all the action took place on the running course with the Race Village entertainment precinct treating visitors to an array of delicious food trucks, live music from some of Melbourne’s best buskers, coffee courtesy of St Ali, and a big screen broadcast of all the action across the weekend.
Runners looking for their next big challenge after the Melbourne Marathon Festival will not want to miss out on Australia’s most stunning running event, The Great Ocean Road Running Festival taking place 20-21 May 2023. Early Bird entries are now open at greatoceanroadrunfest.com.au
The Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival will return to the streets of Melbourne and the MCG on Sunday 15th October in 2023. For more information visit melbournemarathon.com.au.
