Two-time Olympic Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge is set to headline
the Sydney Marathon on August 31,
marking his first-ever race in Oceania.
The Kenyan great, widely regarded as
the ‘Greatest Marathoner of All Time,
will make his Sydney debut just four
months after competing in the London
Marathon on April 27.
Sydney was recently elevated to the
prestigious Abbott World Marathon
Majors circuit, joining Tokyo, Boston,
London, Berlin, Chicago and New York.
Kipchoge is the most successful athlete
in the series with 13 victories.
Expressing his excitement, Kipchoge said Sydney would offer him a fresh challenge.
“I am so excited. This is not only my
first time racing the Sydney Marathon,
but also my first time running in Oceania,” Kipchoge said.
Apart from being a new challenge,
Kipchoge reckons that the race offers a
unique cultural experience.
“Running is my way to explore the
spirit of a place. My feet connect with
the ground, the pulse beneath my feet. I am heading to Sydney to feel the heartbeat of this ancient land and connect
with its people.”
“It’s a powerful new experience like
this that makes me feel alive. I can’t
wait to run in Sydney,” he added.
Kipchoge will run in Sydney right after his
appearance at the London Marathon
set for April 27.
At 40, Kipchoge continues to dominate the global marathon scene.
He will
arrive in Sydney after yet another test in
London, a course where he has already
claimed four titles.
His maiden triumph came in 2015,
where he cut the tape in 2:04:42
to lead an all Kenyan podium finish with Wilson Kipsang (2:04:47)
and Dennis Kimetto (2:05:50) completing the podium.
He followed it up with a title defence
in 2016, finishing in 2:03:05 to beat
compatriot Stanley Biwott (2:03:51)
and Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia
(2:06:36).
His other triumphs came in
2018 (2:04:17) and 2019 (2:02:37).
Beyond London, Kipchoge boasts an
unrivalled five Berlin Marathon victories, becoming only the first person in history to secure such a feat.
His first title in Berlin was in 2015,
where he stormed to a 2:04:00 finish with Eliud Kiptanui (2:05:21)
and Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa (2:06:57)
second and third.
In 2017, he claimed his second title
clocking 2:03:32 before going on to
set a then World record of 2:01:39 in
the 2018 edition.
During the 2022 edition, Kipchoge
shuttered his own World record to clock
2:01:09 with Mark Korir (2:05:58) and
Ethiopia’s Tadu Abate (2:06:28) completing the podium.
He defended his crown the following
year, finishing in 2:02:42 with Vincent
Kipkemoi (2:03:13) and Tadese Takele
of Ethiopia (2:03:24) second and third.
His trophy cabinet further includes
triumphs in Chicago 2014 (2:04:11),
Tokyo 2021 (2:02:40) and a runners-up
finish in Berlin 2013 (2:04:05).
Kipchoge’s legacy is further cemented
by his two Olympic gold medals—from
Rio 2016 (2:08:44) and Tokyo 2020
(2:08:38)—making him only the third
man in history to win back-to-back
Olympic marathon titles.
