Eliud Kipchoge: Why marathon legend will not stop running even after retirement

Eliud Kipchoge at the unveiling of his track in Netherlands

Eliud Kipchoge: Why marathon legend will not stop running even after retirement

Joel Omotto 06:00 - 23.09.2024

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge may be getting to the end of his career but he has no plans to quit running even when he retires from the sport.

Marathon great Eliud Kipchoge has no plans to stop running even when he finally calls time on his illustrious career.

Kipchoge is nearing the end of his running career, with his 40th birthday less than two months away but to him, running is a way of life which he does not intend to abandon upon retirement.

“I still want to run fast and inspire people, but the moment I call off the sport, I will not actually really, really, stop running,” Kipchoge told Runner’s World.

“Instead, I will go to the big city marathons and run with a big group of a thousand people to enjoy running together and inspire every young generation.”

Kipchoge is, however, not thinking about retirement just yet as he still wants to win more titles before he retires.

The 39-year-old has not had a good 2024 season when he finished 10th at the Tokyo Marathon before failing to finish his Olympics race in Paris and he wants to use that disappointment as fuel to power him to further success.

Kipchoge, who has won 15 marathons and broken two world records, feels what has served him well is not getting into races looking to win them or setting new times but rather finishing, a trait he hopes upcoming runners can embrace.

“During the race, just enjoy it,” Kipchoge advises. “Don’t actually put your mind to something called time – just finish that marathon. You know, it’s not about competing. It’s about finishing. The moment you finish, you will realise that you have done good work. It’s about accomplishment. You have accomplished what you have been training for.

“So just start. Go to the start line. Run the way you want to run. Make sure you treat yourself. Make sure you go through the finish line. That’s the important thing.”