Eliud Kipchoge has broken his silence following his disappointing performance at the Tokyo Marathon where he finished in 10th position.
Eliud Kipchoge has graciously accepted defeat following his 10th-place finish at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday in what was his worst performance in his 11-year career on the road.
The 39-year-old faded horrendously at around the 20km mark and crossed the line in 2:06:50 while fellow Kenyan Benson Kipruto won in a course-record 2:02:16 ahead of countrymen Timothy Kiplagat (2:02:55) and Vincent Ngetich (2:04:18).
![Benson Kipruto expresses surprise after breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s Tokyo Marathon course record](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/03032024/c4129833-ee5a-4d05-a419-cf37bb263bb4.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
11:32 - 03.03.2024
ATHLETICS Benson Kipruto expresses surprise after breaking Eliud Kipchoge’s Tokyo Marathon course record
Benson Kipruto has expressed joy and surprise at breaking the Tokyo Marathon course record.
Following his disappointing outing, Kipchoge admitted it was a bad day at the office while congratulating the winners.
“I can only say that sport is about good days and bad days. Unfortunately, today was a bad day for me. I want to congratulate all participants who reached the finish line, all pursuing their own goals and dreams,” Kipchoge posted on social media.
![Eliud Kipchoge suffers worst ever marathon defeat after struggling in Tokyo](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/03032024/aac3c86a-b65a-4199-8544-54ebae0d142f.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
08:00 - 03.03.2024
ATHLETICS Eliud Kipchoge suffers worst ever marathon defeat after struggling in Tokyo
Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge had a rough outing in Tokyo as he suffered his worst ever defeat since he made his Marathon debut in Hamburg 11 years ago.
“Thank you, Tokyo, and to the fans around the world for all of your love and support! We take the lessons of today for the build-up of tomorrow.”
Kipchoge was returning to Tokyo since winning there in 2021 but he could not match the pace of his opponents despite being on pace to reclaim the world record at around the 15km mark.
![Benson Kipruto smashes course record as marathon king Eliud Kipchoge disappoints at Tokyo Marathon](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/03032024/43227757-20a1-4cf0-ab25-0ec75a8db013.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
05:25 - 03.03.2024
ATHLETICS Benson Kipruto smashes course record as marathon king Eliud Kipchoge disappoints at Tokyo Marathon
The Tokyo Marathon was a bitter outing for Eliud Kipchoge who went into the race as a favourite but he, unfortunately, missed out on a podium finish.
The 10th placing is Kipchoge’s worst position since he made his marathon debut in Hamburg in 2013.
It comes less than a year after he finished sixth at the 2023 Boston Marathon last April when he clocked 2:09:23 although he recovered well to win the Berlin Marathon five months later in a time of 2:02:42.
![Kipchoge describes Kiptum death as 'unfortunate' ahead of Tokyo Marathon](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/01032024/e2375eaf-6d1a-43f3-a3b7-7ac531d3c8de.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
15:19 - 01.03.2024
ATHLETICS Kipchoge describes Kiptum death as 'unfortunate' ahead of Tokyo Marathon
Marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge has described the death of World record holder Kelvin Kiptum as "unfortunate" ahead of the 2024 Tokyo edition on Sunday.
Kipchoge’s other poor showing in a major race came at the 2020 London Marathon when he placed eighth in a time of 2:09:23.
The defeat in Tokyo means the veteran will have to strategise ahead of the Olympic Games where he is seeking to become the first man to win three straight Olympic marathon gold medals.