Just when you thought the line-ups couldn’t get any better, the biggest marathon runner in history will take to the streets of the British capital on April 27.
In a week of high-profile race announcements for the TCS London Marathon, organizers may have left the best until last Friday (January 17).Eliud Kipchoge will be looking to win the race for the fifth time as he faces a star-studded field.
Will it be his last major marathon at the age of 40?The Kenyan remains coy, saying: “I’m just focused on my training. I want to put my mind on training and on the roads of London. In Africa, we say ‘you can only chase one rabbit.’
Kipchoge is coming off a bad Olympics where he was eliminated from his first marathon. “It wasn’t my day,” he says. “I hit the road, but this is sport. I have to get back up and move on. That’s life.”
Eliud Kipchoge (Geti)
Before that he finished 10th in the Tokyo Marathon last March and despite an impressive win in his fifth Berlin Marathon in 2023, he also finished a disappointing sixth in Boston that year in 2:09:23.Turn the clock back a bit and he finished eighth In the 2020 Covid-hit London Marathon.
There are certainly chinks in his once-iron armor as he ages. He won four times in London between 2015 and 2019, and of course the two-time Olympic champion remains the only man to break two hours in Vienna 2019. took a break.
Eliud Kipchoge (Bob Martin/INEOS 1:59)
TCS London Marathon CEO Hugh Brasher said: “Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathoner of this age or any other. Indeed, you could make a convincing case that his incredible dominance of the marathon over such a long period of time makes him the greatest athlete we have ever seen.
“His four wins here in London are a record in the elite men’s category and after five years away it is so exciting to welcome him back to the 2025 TCS London Marathon for our historic 45th.th publication”.
READ MORE. London Marathon line-ups in full
Kipchoge added: “I’m happy to share that my next race will be the TCS London Marathon. It’s a race that holds a very special place in my heart, filled with so many beautiful memories and I want to create more.
“Let’s celebrate the joy of running and the collective spirit of thousands of runners at the starting line. It’s a privilege to share this journey with everyone else who will be taking part as we push ourselves to deliver our best performances. After a good rest, I’m back in training with renewed energy and focus.” I’m recharging myself to give my best in London.”
What keeps him going, given that he turned 40 in November, he explains. “I’m really happy when I inspire someone excitement when I wake up every morning.”
Eliud Kipchoge (Geti)
Documents
Born: 05.11.1984
Marathon best: 2:01:09 Berlin 2022 (official); 1:59:40 INEOS 1:59 Challenge 2019 (unofficial)
London Marathon Record: 2015 – 1st 2:04:42, 2016 – 1st 2:03:05, 2018 – 1st 2:04:17, 2019 – 1st 2:02:37, 2020 – 8 o’clockth 2:06:49
Abbott World Marathon other specialties. Berlin. 2013 – 2nd 2:04:05, 2015 – 1st 2:04:00, 2017 – 1st 2:03:32, 2018 – 1st 2:01:39, 2022 – 1stSt 2:01:09, 2023 – 1:St 2:02:42; Chicago: 2014- 1st 2:04:11; Tokyo: 2022 – 1St 2:02:40, 2024 – 10:00th 2:06:50; Boston 2023 – 6:00 p.mth 2:09:23
Other major city marathons: Rotterdam. 2014- 1st 2:05:00 Hamburg: 2013- 1st 2:05:30; Deadline: 2021-1St 2:04:30 a.m
Marathons in major championships. Olympic Games. 2016 – 1st 2:08:44, 2020 (2021) – 1St 2:08:38, 2024 – DNF.
» Subscribe to AW magazine herecheck out our new podcast! here or subscribe to our digital archive of back issues from 1945 to the present day here
