Eliud Kipchoge insists he will only be persuaded to retire when he sees the whole world lacing up their trainers. The Kenyan, 40, is the final marquee athlete announced to compete in this year’s London Marathon, an event he has won a record four times in the elite men’s category.
Kipchoge took some time to reset after failing to finish a marathon for the first time in his career at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but now feels he’s ready to challenge the world’s best in April. Asked if his sixth attempt at London could be the capping-off of his storied career, Kipchoge replied: “No. I will speak more when I finish the marathon. Now I’m focusing on training, purely on fitness and my muscles to be ready for the start line in London.
“I don’t like to mix some things. I learn to put all my mind on the road, put all my mind on making sure my muscles are lean and ready to combat the London streets. And the rest will come.”. Kipchoge claimed Olympic marathon gold at the Rio 2016 and postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and a tremendous 11 career wins at Abbott World Marathon Majors events – the highest tier in the world.
His four wins in London came during an unbeaten stretch from 2015 to 2019 – Kipchoge skipped the 2017 edition – before an ear infection contributed to an eighth-place finish in 2020. Kipchoge will take on a tough field, including Ethiopian Olympic marathon gold medallist Tamirat Tola and defending London Marathon champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya.
