Eliud Kipchoge Dismisses Retirement, Makes Major Announcement After 17th-Place Finish in NYC Marathon

Legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge revealed his next ambitious project after a challenging 17th-place finish at the 2025 New York City Marathon.

The five-time Berlin Marathon champion’s plan involves running seven marathons on seven continents over the next two years.

Eliud Kipchoge explained that the tour's mission is to spread the ‘gospel of running’ globally while raising money for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on education and environmental initiatives.

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He described this new chapter not as a retirement, but as a ‘transition’ in his illustrious career, signalling a shift in his personal and professional goals.

"For the last 22 years, my life has been pushing the limits. My life has been concentrating on winning. My life has been concentrated purely on breaking records," Eliud Kipchoge stated.

"But now I say it’s not a retirement, but a transition to running for a purpose. And this purpose is the purpose to serve humanity."

The tour will see Eliud Kipchoge compete in established marathons, including the Antarctica Marathon, where last year's winning time was 3:38.

While he intends to race in the professional fields, his recent performances suggest a different era for the marathon king.

His 2:14:36 finish in New York was the slowest time of his 13-year marathon career, and his 17th-place result was also a personal low.

Set to turn 41 this week, Eliud Kipchoge's recent results are a natural progression for an athlete who has dominated the sport for nearly a decade.

Between 2014 and 2022, he was virtually unbeatable, winning two Olympic gold medals and twice setting the world record, ultimately lowering it to an incredible 2:01:09.

His dominance was so profound that he created his own challenges, famously breaking the two-hour marathon barrier in a specially arranged event in Vienna in 2019.

Eliud Kipchoge's achievements extend beyond the marathon. His track career included a World Championship gold medal in a stacked 5000m final and two Olympic medals.

He is widely regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time and one of the most exceptional athletes in track and field history.

While the ‘Eliud Kipchoge World Tour’ may sound more like a rock star's farewell, it reflects his unique status in the sport. As the most famous distance runner on the planet, Eliud Kipchoge has transcended the niche world of marathon running.

For his global fanbase, the opportunity to see the legend run in person may be more important than witnessing another record-breaking performance.