When Eliud Kipchoge began his running journey in the early 2000s, his ambition was modest: he simply wanted to board a plane to Europe. Now, two decades later, the 39-year-old Kenyan marathon icon is preparing for what might be his final significant challenge at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kipchoge, aiming to make history on August 11, aspires to become the first athlete to secure three consecutive Olympic marathon victories, surpassing the legendary feats of Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila (1960, 1964) and Germany’s Waldemar Cierpinski (1976, 1980). Notably, he remains the only person to have run the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) in under two hours, achieved during a specially organized, unofficial race in Vienna in 2019.
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Since 2013, Kipchoge has dominated the marathon scene, winning 16 out of the 20 official marathons he has entered. His victories include 11 major marathon titles: five in Berlin, four in London, and one each in Tokyo and Chicago, alongside his Olympic gold medals from 2016 and 2021.
Raised by his mother, a kindergarten teacher, in the village of Kapsisiywa in Kenya’s Rift Valley, Kipchoge is the youngest of four children. His father passed away when he was an infant. Running was a routine activity in his community, and young Eliud did not initially dream of athletic glory. Instead, he saw running as a means to travel to Europe.
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Kipchoge’s perspective on athletics changed when he noticed his neighbor, 1992 Olympic silver medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Patrick Sang, during training sessions. In 2001, he approached Sang for a training program, marking the beginning of a mentorship that would shape his career. Kipchoge’s international debut came in 2003 in Paris, where, at 18, he won the 5,000 meters world championship gold, defeating favorites Hicham El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele.
However, his track success was limited. After failing to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, Kipchoge transitioned to road racing, where he found unprecedented success. He broke the marathon world record twice, first with a time of 2:01:39 in 2018 and then 2:01:09 in 2022.
Kipchoge’s dedication to his sport is reflected in his disciplined lifestyle. He has spent nine months each year since 2002 at an elite training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya. His daily routine is monastic, focused on training, with weekends reserved for family time. Despite his substantial earnings from victories and endorsements, Kipchoge maintains a simple lifestyle, investing in dairy and maize farming and a tea plantation.
Known as the “philosopher” for his reflective nature and love of reading, Kipchoge’s resilience was tested in 2023. He finished sixth in the Boston Marathon and tenth in Tokyo, his worst finish ever. This period was marred by online harassment and death threats, accusing him of involvement in the death of fellow Kenyan marathoner Kelvin Kiptum.
Despite these challenges, Kipchoge remains undeterred. “Marathon is life,” he says, embodying the ups and downs of the sport. His coach, Patrick Sang, believes Kipchoge’s dream of winning a third Olympic title reflects his enduring determination and commitment to making history. As Kipchoge prepares for Paris, his journey continues to inspire athletes worldwide, showcasing the spirit of perseverance and excellence in sports.
