In his 40s, no longer at his physical peak, Kipchoge has shifted to a new goal: encouraging more people to run, to face and overcome one of the sport's most grueling challenges.

"I love the marathon more than ever. What I want is to prove that anyone can participate, can overcome this challenge," Kipchoge told The Guardian.

Eliud Kipchoge during his interview with The Guardian. Photo: The Guardian

Eliud Kipchoge during his interview with The Guardian. Photo: The Guardian

On 31/8, Kipchoge participated in the Sydney Marathon, a race recently added to the World Marathon Majors. Although he finished 9th, falling behind the leading group after the halfway point, the 40-year-old runner received a warm welcome from the spectators.

"I have nothing left to prove. The important thing is to inspire the belief that anyone can complete a marathon. It's not just about speed, but about the journey of training, the tears and pain, and then the explosion of happiness at the finish line," Kipchoge expressed.

Several records were broken in Australia last weekend. In the men's race, Hailemaryam Kiros (Ethiopia) broke the course record, finishing in 2 hours 6 minutes and 6 seconds. In the women's race, Sifan Hassan won with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 22 seconds, confirming her status as a major star in global athletics.

Kipchoge praised Hassan, considering her a symbol of the new generation of athletes. "She brings respect, competition, and beauty to the sport. Hassan is the one who inspires millions," the Kenyan runner said.

Kipchoge welcomed by fans at the 2025 Sydney Marathon. Photo: Adidas

Kipchoge welcomed by fans at the 2025 Sydney Marathon. Photo: Adidas

The Sydney course also left a special impression on Kipchoge. He described the route, which crosses the Harbour Bridge and finishes at the Opera House, as "beautiful and unique," not only for the scenery but also for the enthusiastic cheers from tens of thousands of spectators.

Kipchoge confirmed he will return to Australia and hopes the number of Sydney Marathon participants will soon exceed 50,000. "Above all, I run for hope, for the community. I want to turn Australia into a running nation," he emphasized.

Since his debut in Hamburg in 2013, Kipchoge has won 11 major marathons, including 4 in London (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019), 4 in Berlin (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023), one in Chicago (2014), and one in Tokyo (2021). He also won two Olympic gold medals, finishing first in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Kipchoge twice broke the world record with a time of 2 hours 1 minute and 39 seconds at the 2018 Berlin Marathon and then 2 hours 1 minute and 9 seconds at the same race in 2022, before his fellow Kenyan, Kelvin Kiptum, broke it with a time of 2 hours 0 minutes and 35 seconds at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Kipchoge was also the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon, achieving 1 hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds in the Ineos 1:59 event in Vienna, Austria, in 10/2019. However, this achievement was not recognized as a record by World Athletics because the 1984-born runner competed under controlled conditions, such as having no competitors and a rotating team of pacers.

Hong Duy (The Guardian)