Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, has announced that Sunday’s New York Marathon will mark the final race of his extraordinary career. The 39-year-old Kenyan legend, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former double world-record holder, confirmed his decision in an emotional press conference in Manhattan on Friday morning, bringing an era of unmatched excellence to a close.
“I have given my life to the marathon, and now I feel it’s time to say goodbye,” Kipchoge said, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke to reporters. “New York will be my last race. I want to finish where my heart tells me it’s right.”
For over two decades, Kipchoge has not only dominated the marathon world but also transformed the way humanity views endurance, discipline, and possibility. From his breakthrough victory at the 2003 World Championships in Paris, where he defeated Hicham El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele in the 5000 meters, to his historic sub-two-hour marathon in Vienna in 2019, Kipchoge’s story has become the ultimate symbol of human resilience.
The Kenyan star’s decision to retire after the New York Marathon comes after months of speculation about his future. Following a challenging year marked by injuries and rare defeats, including an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish in Tokyo earlier this year, Kipchoge hinted that the “end was near.” Yet, true to his composed nature, he saved his official announcement for the grand stage of New York — a marathon he has never run before and one of the few missing from his illustrious resume.
“I wanted my journey to come full circle,” Kipchoge said. “I have raced in London, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago, and Boston. New York is the last piece of the puzzle. It’s a race that has inspired generations, and I want to end where so many greats have left their mark.”
Kipchoge’s marathon career has been nothing short of legendary. He has won 12 of the 15 major marathons he’s entered, including four victories in London and five in Berlin, where he twice broke the world record — first in 2018 with 2:01:39, and then in 2022 with 2:01:09. His controlled stride, laser focus, and almost philosophical approach to running made him not just a sports icon, but a global ambassador for mental strength and optimism.
Perhaps his most iconic moment came in October 2019 in Vienna, when he became the first human to run a marathon in under two hours — 1:59:40 — during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge. Though the record was unofficial due to the controlled conditions, it cemented his place as a pioneer of endurance sport.
As the running world prepares for Sunday’s race, emotions are high. Athletes, fans, and fellow legends have taken to social media to express admiration and gratitude. Kenya’s President William Ruto hailed Kipchoge as “a national treasure who showed the world that no human is limited.”
For Kipchoge, retirement will not mean stepping away from the sport entirely. He plans to focus on mentoring young athletes and expanding the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which promotes education, health, and environmental sustainability in Kenya.
“I want to give back to the community that made me who I am,” he said. “My legs may stop running, but my heart will keep moving.”
As he takes his final stride through the streets of New York, Eliud Kipchoge’s legacy will remain unshakable — a timeless reminder that limits exist only in the mind.
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