Thousands race through city streets for Melbourne Marathon

More than 32,000 runners have battled windy conditions as they hit the streets for the 2016 Melbourne Marathon.

Winds averaging 50km/h were no match for the enthusiasm of runners who began pounding the pavement early this morning for the big race.

The main event kicked off at 7am and stretched for 42 kilometres, beginning at Batman Avenue.

Runners in colourful bibs streamed down Flinders Street and St Kilda Road, blocking motorists from travelling down the thoroughfare. 

Thomas Do Canto, 30, was the first to fly through the finishing line ribbon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a time of 2:20:53.

"I’m just rapt, I wasn’t expecting this," Mr Do Canto said of his first ever marathon win.

Victorian Virginia Moloney won the women’s race in 2:34:28.

"Focusing and staying calm was the key… I’m over the moon," Ms Moloney said.

Many other competitors chose to share images on social media of their exhausted, but elated, faces at the end of the marathon.

Accompanying races held throughout the day included a half marathon, wheelchair marathon and 10 kilometre run.

The inaugural 1978 Melbourne Marathon was won by long-distance runner Bill Scott, who went on to become a finalist in the 10,000 metres event at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.