Eliud Kipchoge recently made an eye-catching announcement as he looks to redefine the world of marathon running at the age of 40. This comes on the heels of his debut at the TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, where he finished 17th in a time of 2:14:36.
Even though Kipchoge failed to finish within the top-10, the Kenyan was successful in achieving the six-star medal for competing in six World Marathon Majors. Following this, Kipchoge addressed the media, announcing that he is planning a ‘World Tour’ where he will run a marathon on seven different continents.
What Did Eliud Kipchoge Say About the Motive Behind His New Announcement?
Across his long career, Kipchoge has competed and won around the globe. However, with this new announcement to compete on seven different continents, including Antarctica, Kipchoge has set himself a very challenging task for the years to come.
For Kipchoge, this tour is not about setting records, but rather a means to inspire the masses. “I want to compete not only for records, but for the people. I want to continue to push myself to run at my best, but I also want to inspire, give back, and remind everyone that no human is limited,” the Kenyan said:
Kipchoge further added, “I will run even 50 kilometres in Saudi Arabia. I want to do that extreme thing that can make somebody work hard and also get partners (sponsors) to rally for a cause.”
Kipchoge’s last couple of years on the marathon circuit haven’t been that fruitful. The Kapsisiywa native’s previous podium finish was two years back in 2023, during the Berlin Marathon, where he won in 2:02:42. However, the Kenyan has two top-10 finishes this season in London and Sydney.
Kipchoge Sheds Light on the Equation Between Age and Running Fast
Kipchoge explained the impact that his growing age can have on running while announcing his World Tour after the TCS New York City Marathon. The Kenyan shared that his only goal, even at the age of 40, is to test his capabilities.
Kipchoge said, “I don’t say age is a factor, I am old and I’m still running and competitive and I’m still pushing myself. I actually say, please let us push our limits, that’s the only way in life, it’s about pushing your limits.”
The Kenyan athlete will indeed be pushing his capabilities by running a marathon in extreme conditions in Antarctica during his World Tour, for which the complete schedule has not yet been finalized.