GOLD Coast Mayor Ron Clarke and Kipchoge Keino last met as rivals on the running track, but yesterday they met to discuss the Gold Coast's bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Mr Keino, a former distance runner, is Kenya's Commonwealth Games delegate and was visiting the Gold Coast with 16 other delegates from Africa.

It was the largest party of delegates here to decide who will host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

On the weekend, the delegates visited the Gold Coast Airport Marathon where Mr Keino witnessed three of his countrymen take out the top three places in this year's race.

Mr Keino visited the runners after the race to congratulate them on their run. The three first runners over the line in the full marathon were Nicholas Manza, Albert Matebor and Japhet Kipkorir, all from Kenya.

Mr Manza won in a record time of two hours, 10 minutes and one second. Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid chief executive officer Mark Peters said it was a “brilliant weekend” and the marathon was the perfect event to showcase the city's enthusiasm for sport.

“It was obviously a brilliant weekend and the delegate from Kenya was happy with the results of the race,” Mr Peters said.

“He was meeting with Ron Clarke today (Monday). The two had many duels on the running field.”