Irish-born Australian runner Sinead Diver has smashed the women's course record to claim victory in the Melbourne Marathon.
Nearly 35,000 entrants, in the marathon and four other races over shorter distances, took part in Sunday's event held in warm and windy conditions.
In just her third Melbourne Marathon, Diver finished in a time of two hours 25 minutes and 19 seconds (2:25:19), eclipsing the record set by Lisa Weightman in 2013 by 46 seconds.
The 41-year-old's time also made her the fastest-ever Australian female athlete to complete the 42.195km distance on Australian soil.
Diver's overall prize money for the feat was doubled when a record bonus of $20,000 was added to her winner's cheque of $20,000.
"(This) was the best marathon experience I've ever had," Diver said.
"It's really special to get a (personal best) in my home town. Finishing in the 'G, with all my family and friends cheering me on was so emotional."
The mother of two, who only took up long-distance running eight years ago, bettered her own personal-best time over the distance by over six minutes.
Melbourne's Liam Adams took out the men's race in a time of 2:15:13, to also take home $20,000 in prize money.
"It was a tactical race, it was amazing to come away with the win against such quality guys," Adams said.
"It wasn't too bad going at the 30km mark, but that was short-lived. My toes started going at 32km, and it was a bit of a battle after that."
The 42.195km course starts on Batman Avenue before taking competitors around Albert Park lake, then to the shore of Port Phillip Bay where runners turn at Port Melbourne.
The course follows the shore of the bay down to St Kilda before heading back inland to the finish line inside the MCG.
