Eliud Kipchoge Reflects on Marathon Motivation, Personal Mission, Generational Change

The marathon legend has been shifting focus from breaking records to inspiring humanity, embracing purpose, and celebrating the spirit of running.

Former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge is embracing a new chapter in his career, one defined less by winning times and more by the power of inspiration.

The Kenyan distance-running legend, who burst onto the marathon scene with victory in Hamburg in 2013, has spent more than a decade dominating the sport.

Kipchoge has won 15 marathons, back-to-back Olympic gold medals, and the historic achievement of being the only person to run 42.195 kilometers in under two hours, making his place in the history books already secure.

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At 40, with his racing peak behind him, Kipchoge is determined to use his global stature to encourage more people to take up running.

Over the weekend, he competed in Sydney, where the marathon was officially elevated to the prestigious World Marathon Majors series.

Though he finished ninth, it was the connection with the crowds, not the result, that defined the day.

“I trust that I have nothing to prove,” Kipchoge says as per Guardian.

“I’m privileged to still be running at this age. I’m actually more in love with marathons now just to participate and inspire people. Above all, I’m running for humanity, running for hope and telling people to come out and run.”

From records to responsibilities

Kipchoge’s reign at the top included setting the marathon world record twice and winning Berlin a record five times.

Yet, his last victory came nearly two years ago. In Sydney, the sight of him falling off the lead pack only seemed to intensify the support from thousands lining the course. For Kipchoge, the roars of the crowd carried a deeper meaning than a medal could.

“I came here to tell Australians to please help me, I will help you to make this country a running nation. And I think we achieved that in Sydney,” he reflects.

“I’m learning that those who are running behind me are the happiest people because they feel it more. They run in a slow way. They learn in a slow way, but they cross the finish line in the happiest way.”

His message is clear: the value of a marathon lies not in elite performance but in the transformative experience of finishing.

A new generation led by Sifan Hassan

The Sydney race also marked a milestone for women’s running. Netherlands’ Olympic champion Sifan Hassan claimed victory in a record time of 2:18:22, her fourth marathon win out of six starts. Kipchoge could hardly hide his admiration.

“Sifan Hassan is the leader of a new generation of athletes who can inspire many people to come in and run fast,” he says.

“She teaches people to respect the sport, bring competitiveness in the sport, bring beauty, make sure they get all the people to come and watch the sport. She’s the one.”

Sydney’s special appeal

Kipchoge’s ninth-place finish in 2:06:06, just over two minutes behind the winner, was far from his fastest.

But his enthusiasm for Sydney was unshaken.

“It’s a special course,” he says.

“Every world marathon course has its own beauty, its own terrain. But this is a beautiful and unique course. The beauty was about the crowd, the way people cheered on the way, at the beginning, at the finishing line, it was wonderful.”

Kipchoge believes Sydney’s marathon can grow to 50,000 runners, as in the recently concluded event, it had over 35,000 participants.

New York Marathon is the only major he has yet to tackle, but he insists he will “absolutely” return to Australia.

The legend race is no longer about trophies but it is about humanity, hope, and helping others discover the life-changing magic of crossing a finish line.