Olympic icon and former world record holder QUITS his event at 39

Eliud Kipchoge is regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time
However, he was forced to take a taxi after quitting his marathon at Paris Games
Now, reports claim the long-distance runner will participate in a new event

Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s greatest marathon runner, is set to participate in a new event – just months after he took a taxi to the finish line at the Paris Games.

In bizarre circumstances back in August, the two-time Olympic gold medalist stopped to allow last-placed Ser-Od Bat-Ochir to overtake him after 31 kilometres.

He handed his shoes and socks to fans lining the road as the crowd cheered and clapped before disappearing into an Olympic van, perhaps the last glimpse of a legend at the Games.

And, as speculation over the 40-year-old’s future as a marathon runner continues to circulate, it now appears he’s turned his attention to other events.

According to Marca, Kipchoge will participate in a 10 kilometre race part as part of the Bangkok marathon due to an ambassadorial role he has with Thailand.

Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s greatest marathon runner, is set to participate in a new event

World’s greatest marathon runner drops out of Paris Olympic raceLoaded: 0%

Progress: 0%

0:00

It will be the first time that the Kenyan has competed in an official race other than a marathon since 2016.

World’s greatest marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge takes a TAXI to the finish lineSpeaking on his new venture, Kipchoge said: ‘I have travelled frequently to Asia and share the great ambitions of growing athletics as a sport to make people happier and healthier. ‘There is tremendous potential in the world of Asian athletics and I am happy to start working together with Amazing Thailand to promote it in the Asian region.

‘I have always said that I want to make this world a world of runners because a world of runners is a happy world and this partnership contributes to my personal ambitions ,’ he concluded.

Two months ago, Kipchoge’s quest for three straight Olympic marathon titles came to an end before the race in Paris had finished after he took a taxi to the finish line.

Kipchoge had been in the leading pack in the first 10k and dropped back to around a minute behind the frontrunners at the half-way mark. He was one of 10 runners unable to finish.

Kipchoge had been hoping to become the first man to win three Olympic marathonsKipchoge, who was the world record holder between 2018 and 2023, had been hoping to become the first man to win three Olympic marathons.

Between 2014 and 2019, he went on a phenomenal 10-race unbeaten streak in major marathons.

Before switching to marathon running, the veteran was successful over 5000 metres, picking up bronze in the 2004 Athens Games and silver in Beijing in 2008.

He then went on to pick up consecutive golds in Rio and Tokyo.