Glenn Maxwell retired from international cricket in 2025, just as Eliud Kipchoge wound up his decorated competitive distance running career. While Kipchoge broke the barriers as the fastest, most consistent marathoner, Maxwell curved a niche as one of the fastest scorers in world cricket.
The Aussie legend will be remembered for his most extraordinary innings against Afghanistan in the 2023 One-Day World Cup - a landmark, unbeaten 201 off 128 balls that got Australia off the brink of defeat to a memorable victory.
The absolute impossibility of the situation, and the physical agony he overcame to achieve the feat (Maxwell developed severe, full-body cramps and back spasms and was unable to run singles, also play entirely on one leg, relying strictly on hand-eye coordination and raw upper-body power) made it a most memorable innings.
His incredible shots - an unrivalled, difficult to field cocktail of reverse sweeps and pulls - combined with off-spin bowling attack and outstanding fielding made him a most sought-after, unrivalled all-rounder.
Maxwell was back at the crease this week again, not as a batsman, bowler or fielder, but to give tips on cricket to an unlikely “cricketer” - the G.O.A.T. of marathon running, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge – at the iconic MCG Stadium.
Australian cricket legend Glenn Maxwell at the nets with Kenya's marathon G.O.A.T Eliud Kipchoge at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this week. (Photo / dsm-firmenich Running Team)
For starters, the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), is most famously known as the birthplace of Test cricket and remains the spiritual home of Australian sport. The MCG is one of the largest and oldest sports stadiums in the world, holding an iconic status globally, having hosted the first official Test Match in 1877 between Australia and England and also the first-ever One Day International (ODI) match in 1971.
Kipchoge is Down Under where he will line up to race the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival on Sunday (October 11), the third stop of his world tour.
Following the first two opening chapters of the tour in Cape Town (South Africa) and Porto Alegre (Brazil), Kipchoge is in Australia, continuing his mission to race a marathon on all seven continents and inspire communities worldwide through running.
Marathon bowler?: Glenn Maxwell takes Eliud Kipchoge through bowling action at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo / dsm-firmenich Running Team)
Kipchoge holds special memories of Australia after racing the TCS Sydney Marathon in 2025, during its inaugural race as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major.
The experience cemented his desire to return to the continent and race alongside its passionate crowds.
“To return to Australia is very special to me, especially after the way I was welcomed last year. To now experience a new city and a new race is very exciting,” Kipchoge says.
“I am humbled by the support we receive around the world during this world tour and by the opportunity to meet fellow runners and hear their powerful stories during each stay. Melbourne will be a fantastic next stop because it’s a city that hosts so many different sport events, like the Formula 1, Cricket and the Australian Open, so I’m beyond proud to put my feet in these historical streets.”
Pads ready: Glenn Maxwell prepares Eliud Kipchoge for a batting session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo / dsm-firmenich Running Team)
For Kipchoge, 41, it’s a lot more than just running. It’s about inspiring the world to run, stay fit and also pay attention to environmental conservation.
That’s why in the run-up to Sunday’s race, the Kenyan legend has taken time to catch up with “The Forest Maker”, Tony Rinaudo, the prominent Australian environmentalist known for his pioneering work in natural regeneration.
Meanwhile, the sessions at the net with Maxwell left fans wondering what sort of cricket player Kipchoge would have been had he traded his Nike racing shoes with the Kookaburra, Gray-Nicolls or MRF cricket bats… Perhaps he would have been a brilliant all-rounder with the staying power of two hours at the crease, an unstoppable fast bowler and great boundary fielder!
“First of all, I want to thank the people of Melbourne for the incredibly warm welcome I received, it’s so good to be back in Australia. And what better way to start this third stop of my World Tour than to dive into a new sport: cricket,” Kipchoge reacted after his maiden nets session.
Making the world green: Eliud Kipchoge with the 'The Forest Maker' Tony Rinaudo, a prominent Australian environmentalist, in Melbourne on Friday. (Photo / dsm-firmenich Running Team)
“I had the opportunity to meet Australian cricket legend Glenn Maxwell. We exchanged knowledge about our sports and spoke about what sport can bring to people and how it can unite us. And of course, Glenn taught me some cricket inside the legendary MCG Stadium, a very special experience.”
Off went the pads and gloves, and Kipchoge was soon having a tete-a-tete with “The Forest Maker” Tony Rinaudo.
“Running on all seven continents reminds me that, although we may come from different countries and cultures, we share one world and one responsibility, to take care of our planet. Through his pioneering work in natural regeneration, Tony has helped bring millions of trees back to life across Africa, transforming degraded landscapes and bringing new hope to communities,” remarked Kipchoge.
“Inspired by this same belief, together with my foundation, Landcare Australia, Bupa, and the Nike Melbourne Marathon Festival, we are planting 5,000 trees along the Melbourne Marathon Healthy Cities Nature Trail, connecting six priority restoration sites across Melbourne.
Eliud Kipchoge plants a tree in Melbourne on Friday. (Photo / dsm-firmenich Running Team)
“These trees are more than just plants going into the ground. They represent hope, commitment, and our shared belief that the actions we take today can create a better future for the generations that follow us,” added the legend.
Participants worldwide are able to join Kipchoge for a digital run during the weeks surrounding his marathons and become part of a global running movement, Kipchoge’s management company, Global Sports Communications, and running team, dsm-firmenich Running Team, said.
“By uploading a screenshot of their tracked activity to eliudsrunningworld.com they instantly join the movement as all miles are automatically added to the collective total. Link to join: https://www.eliudsrunningworld.com/join-eliud.
“As part of the What Makes Us campaign, the dsm-firmenich Running Team is bringing fans closer to the athletes and moments behind every performance. Ahead of their race day, fans around the world can send personal messages of support to Eliud Kipchoge and other athletes from the team. The team will collect the messages and deliver them to the athletes in a special way before their respective race. Fans can take part via the What Makes Us campaign page: https://www.dsm-firmenichrunningteam.com/what-makes-us/.”
Look who's here!: Eliud Kipchoge has a selfie moment with his Australian fans in Melbourne on Friday. (Photo / dsm-firmenich Running Team)
Sunday’s Melbourne Marathon Festival will bring thousands of runners to Melbourne for one of Australia’s major road-running events. Participants will compete across the marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5.7km courses, taking in some of the city’s best-known streets and landmarks. The field will include elite athletes, experienced competitors and first-time runners, with the event offering a range of distances for participants of different abilities.
One of the key objectives of Eliud’s Running World is to raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation in support of education and environmental projects in Africa and beyond. Donations can be made during locally organized events or on www.eliudsrunningworld.com or www.eliudkipchogefoundation.org
Where to Watch the Nike Melbourne Marathon:
The race will be livestreamed for free on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jXTJMZMX8s.
(Reporting from dsm-firmenich Running Team resources)
Pictorial Tribute to Eliud Kipchoge in Melbourne
(All photos: dsm-firmenich Running Team):
