Eliud Kipchoge is undoubtedly one of the greatest marathon runners ever, if not the greatest. Not only has he won two consecutive Olympic gold medals (in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020), but he has also won multiple marathons and other distance events at international competitions in different parts of the world. His fastest time in open competition was 2:1:9 seconds in the 2022 Berlin Marathon, a world record at that time. In Vienna in 2019, he became the first runner to complete the marathon in under two hours (1:59:40) but, as the race was managed, it does not count for record purposes. Still, an amazing feat, akin to the first sub-four minute mile!
Born on 8th November 1984. Kipchoge is now 41 years old. Last Sunday, (2nd November, 2025), he took part for the first time in the New York City Marathon. He finished in 17th place in 2:14:36. a remarkable time given his age. This was the seventh marathon that qualified him for the Hall of Fame for marathon runners who have competed in the seven major marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York City. This honour is a fitting cap to an amazing long distance running career.
Eliud Kipchoge isn't hanging up his Nike running shoes yet though. In New York, he announced his intention to run seven marathons, each of them in seven different continents including Antarctica, in the next two years. His purpose, he said, was to inspire humanity and promote peace, education and the environment. In a world torn by self interest, strife and war, we could certainly do with a few more Kipchoges, don't you agree?
Francis
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