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Kenyan Great Kipchoge Wins First Marathon in Three Years

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won his first marathon in three years at Melbourne. Saeed KHAN / AFP
Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won his first marathon in three years at Melbourne. Saeed KHAN / AFP
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Kenyan Great Kipchoge Wins First Marathon in Three Years

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won his first marathon in three years at Melbourne. Saeed KHAN / AFP
Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won his first marathon in three years at Melbourne. Saeed KHAN / AFP

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge won his first marathon in three years on Sunday when the Kenyan great cruised to victory at Melbourne.

The most-decorated marathoner in history crossed the finish line in 2hrs 9min 10sec, two seconds inside the race record.

It was his first victory over the distance since Berlin in 2023 and part of his "World Tour" to raise funds for causes he believes in.

The 41-year-old former world record-holder announced in 2025 he planned complete marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica, over two years.

Melbourne was the third stop after South Africa and Brazil.

He broke away inside the last 10 kilometers on a course raced partly on the Australian Formula One track at Albert Park and which finished inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"On the course, it was really wonderful, I enjoyed seeing people standing, cheering, and shouting my name," Kipchoge said, looking fresh at the finish.

He would have gone faster, but slowed down inside the MCG waving to fans.

"It was actually different -- running on a beautiful course, but also running on the Formula One track, and above all else, finishing on a cricket ground," he added.

"It makes me proud to run with the younger generation and inspire the running community in Melbourne."

Australian Thomas Do Canto was runner-up in 2:10:35 while New Zealand's Camille French came first in the women's race in 2:28:25.

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Sports

Saudi Ministry of Sport, Royal Commission for AlUla Sign MoU to Develop Sports Sector

From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)
From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)
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Saudi Ministry of Sport, Royal Commission for AlUla Sign MoU to Develop Sports Sector

From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)
From the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla (Ministry of Sport)

The Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Royal Commission for AlUla signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday to strengthen cooperation in developing the sports sector in AlUla Governorate and advancing sports initiatives.

The MoU aims to support comprehensive development objectives and enhance coordination between the two sides in areas of mutual interest.

The agreement seeks to advance the sports sector in AlUla Governorate through development initiatives, support for community sports activities, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. It also aims to make use of both parties' resources and services to achieve shared objectives.

Areas of cooperation include exploring suitable mechanisms to attract investors and sponsors to the sports sector in AlUla Governorate.

They also include exchanging expertise to develop sports facilities and infrastructure and coordinating plans and media campaigns to raise community awareness of the importance of physical activity.

The agreement further covers developing human capabilities through training programs and courses.

Sports

Vacherot Beats Lehecka to Clinch Basel Title

Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)
Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)
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Vacherot Beats Lehecka to Clinch Basel Title

Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)
Monaco's Valentin Vacherot (2R) and Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka (2L) pose with the winner's and runner-up's trophies alongside Swiss Indoors President Roger Brennwald (R) and Managing Director Patrick Ammann (L) following the men's singles final at the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Harold CUNNINGHAM / AFP)

Valentin Vacherot won his first title of the season Sunday when he beat Jiri Lehecka 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the ATP event in Basel.

After dropping serve three times as he lost the first set, the 27-year-old from Monaco gradually gained control of the match to claim his second title on the main tour, following his surprise victory at the Shanghai Masters in 2025.

For Lehecka, 24, the loss extended his poor record in finals to seven defeats from nine appearances. He has lost each of the past five.

The Czech had completely dominated Vacherot in a two-set victory in their last meeting in early October, in the semi-finals in Tokyo.

The first set on Sunday suggested that result might be repeated. Lehecka conceded only one point on his first three service games and proved superior in every aspect of the game.

Lehecka put pressure on Vacherot's serve throughout the match but the Monegasque saved all five break points he faced over the next two sets.

In both a single break was enough for Vacherot, who closed out the match on his first championship point.

"I ended up playing a really solid second and third set," AFP quoted Vacherot as saying. "I had to hold tight in the second set because even until the last game he had break points. Then I started serving much better in the third set and that helped me a lot."

"I hit really good shots at the right moments," he said. "Sometimes it's about not playing perfect for the whole match and just playing good when it matters."

The victory over Lehecka, who entered the tournament ranked No. 21 in the world, was Vacherot's third against a top-25 opponent in Basel, where he also saw off 11th-ranked Rafael Jodar after a three-hour battle and world number 13 Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals.

Sports

Real Madrid Extend Winning Run with 3-0 victory at Racing Santander

Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
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Real Madrid Extend Winning Run with 3-0 victory at Racing Santander

Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Real Madrid's Spanish defender #04 Dean Huijsen during the Spanish league football match between Racing de Santander and Real Madrid CF at El Sardinero Stadium in Santander on November 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP)

Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 win at Racing Santander in LaLiga on Sunday as goals from Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande secured their sixth successive victory in all competitions.

Third-placed Real moved to within three points of leaders Barcelona and one of second-placed Atletico Madrid. Racing remain 16th, a point above the relegation zone, Reuters reported.

Buoyed by last week's Clasico victory, Jose Mourinho's ⁠side moved the ⁠ball sharply and delivered another assured performance.

Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute before combining neatly with Arda Guler, who sent Bellingham through 10 minutes later. Bellingham glided ⁠around Racing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Diomande made it 3-0 nine minutes before halftime, thundering a bouncing ball into the top corner. The Ivorian has scored four goals and provided three assists in his last six appearances.

Racing competed well but rarely threatened, allowing Real to control a largely uneventful second half. ⁠Mbappe ⁠came closest to adding another goal when he struck the post on the hour.

Real Madrid produced a disciplined defensive display, limiting the hosts to one shot on target as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois enjoyed a quiet return after missing last week's game through illness.

Mourinho's side next travel to AEK Athens in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Earlier on Sunday, Getafe came from behind to beat Sevilla 3-1.