Eliud Kipchoge out inspiring the world despite losing streak this year

If you think Eliud Kipchoge’s recent setbacks in marathon racing have dampened his spirit, you are mistaken.

The undisputed "King of the Marathon" has turned his focus to spreading inspiration across Europe. Despite losing his world record to Kelvin Kiptum last year, Kipchoge remains a global sensation in athletics, with no other marathoner able to match his monumental success.

A two-time Olympic champion and the only person to have run a marathon in under two hours, Kipchoge achieved this extraordinary feat in 2019. Now, from Barcelona to Old Trafford—Manchester United’s iconic "Theatre of Dreams"—he’s sharing his message of hope and resilience.

This year hasn’t been smooth for Kipchoge in terms of competition. He finished tenth at the Tokyo Marathon in March and did not complete the race at the Paris Olympics. Yet, the man who coined the phrase “No Human is Limited” back in 2019 has not let these setbacks diminish his enthusiasm for inspiring others.

At 39 years old, Kipchoge remains tight-lipped about his future, leaving fans wondering about his next move. Many are asking if he will retire from competitive running to focus solely on motivational work. And if he does retire, who will fill the enormous shoes he leaves behind?

Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Kipchoge shared some insight during his arrival back in Kenya: “You can’t chase two rabbits at the same time. Paris was another rabbit. I need to go back and check out for another rabbit, which means going back to the drawing board to see what opportunities are there for me.”

He added: “The Olympics is not all about gold medals, it is about participation; I did participate. You participate to represent your country and your continent, and then you compete to win medals. That is why it is called the Olympics.”

Kipchoge has defended his performance and career, showcasing resilience that remains unmatched in the world of athletics.

In addition to racing, Kipchoge has embarked on a series of motivational visits. He began by meeting the INEOS Britannia team, the British contender for the America’s Cup, at their base in Barcelona. Kipchoge gave a rousing speech to the team as they prepared for their campaign to become the first British crew to win the world’s oldest international sporting trophy.

INEOS Britannia reported that Kipchoge joined Sir Ben Ainslie and his team during a pre-race briefing and even watched the crew set out for the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series).

“My best advice is to believe in yourselves. Prepare and plan well to execute but always believe and push hard. Trust is what bonds the team, and when you have trust within a team, that’s what pushes you to win,” Kipchoge said to the team.

His journey didn’t end there. Shortly after his Barcelona visit, Kipchoge travelled to Manchester to meet with Manchester United’s squad at their Carrington training base. Having competed in five Olympic Games—from Athens in 2004 to Paris in 2024—Kipchoge remains a global figure in sports.

During his five Olympic appearances for Kenya, he won medals in four of them, only missing the podium in Paris. During his visit to Manchester United, Kipchoge spoke with players Mason Mount and Luke Shaw, who were recovering from injuries and posed for a team photo.

“From Barcelona to Manchester, it has been great to visit the different teams of the INEOS sports family. We had the opportunity to visit Manchester United and exchange knowledge with the performance team and players,” Kipchoge reflected.

Images of Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's captain, gifting Kipchoge a team shirt quickly made rounds on social media. His visit came as United prepared for a major clash with Liverpool, a game they lost 3-0.

As discussions about Kipchoge’s potential retirement grow, several names have been floated as his possible successor. Among them is Benson Kipruto, who secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and holds a personal best of 2:02:16, ranking him the fifth-fastest marathoner of all time. Timothy Kiplagat, ranked seventh, and Evans Chebet, a two-time Boston Marathon champion, are also mentioned as contenders to carry on Kipchoge’s legacy.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of INEOS and one of Kipchoge’s sponsors, acquired a minority stake in Manchester United earlier this year.

Born the youngest of four siblings in Kapsisiywa, Nandi District, in the Kenyan Highlands, Kipchoge faced early hardship when his father died while he was still a boy. Raised by his mother, a kindergarten teacher, Kipchoge found his inspiration to run through his neighbour, Patrick Sang, a former world and Olympic steeplechase silver medalist. As a teenager, Kipchoge approached Sang, who had begun coaching, asking for a training plan. Thus began a highly successful 18-year partnership, built on Sang’s principles of hard work, patience, and discipline.

A devoted family man, Kipchoge is married to Grace, and they have three children: Lynne, Griffin, and Jordon. Kipchoge often refers to his family as his “ignition key” and draws inspiration from their love and support. He is also an avid reader, with a particular interest in self-help books, reflecting his thirst for knowledge and growth.

Despite missing out on a third Olympic gold, Kipchoge showed grace in defeat. After pulling out of the race around the 30-kilometer mark due to discomfort, Kipchoge took to social media to share a heartfelt message, congratulating Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola for his victory and reflecting on the challenges of his Olympic journey.