Eliud Kipchoge, Two-Time Olympic Champion, Announces New York Marathon as His Final Major Race

Eliud Kipchoge, the legendary marathon runner from Kenya, will run his last major marathon this Sunday in New York. At 41, he is wrapping up an impressive 13-year career on the roads, where he has celebrated 16 wins out of 23 races. Notably, 11 of those victories came in marathon majors, making him the most decorated athlete in those events, both male and female.

Kipchoge has dreamed of racing in New York for a long time. “It’s time for me to go there before embarking on my new journey,” he shared in an interview with Olympics.com.

This race will mark a unique milestone for Kipchoge; it will complete the “seven-star set” as he has already triumphed in the other six major marathons. He holds an unmatched record, including four wins at the London Marathon and five in Berlin. In Berlin, he set world records in 2018 and 2022, finishing in 2:01:39 and 2:01:09, respectively.

Kipchoge’s future plans are intriguing. He mentioned a desire to run in Antarctica, stating he wants to take on extreme challenges. His groundbreaking achievement came in 2019 when he completed a marathon in under two hours in Vienna, clocking 1:59:40—a time not recognized as an official world record due to specific race regulations.

His accomplishments include two Olympic gold medals, one in Rio in 2016 and another in Tokyo in 2021. This made him the first man to defend his Olympic title since 1980. However, he faced a setback last summer in Paris, where he dropped out of the race due to injury, highlighting the physical challenges even elite athletes face.

Kipchoge is not just a runner; he also aims to inspire others in his new role as men’s athlete representative for Kenya’s national Olympic committee. “You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation,” he said, illustrating his shift from competing to mentoring.

This year is notable for Kipchoge as he has participated in multiple marathons—a first since he transitioned to road racing in 2012. He finished sixth in London and ninth in Sydney, showing his resilience even as he prepares for retirement.

Kipchoge’s journey is a testament to dedication, resilience, and the constant pursuit of new challenges. As he approaches this final race, fans around the world celebrate his legacy while looking forward to what he will accomplish next.

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Global Sports, Olympics