I lost to Kipchoge, Macron laughs off race as Ruto hails Kenya as athletics powerhouse

President William Ruto draws laughter at the University of Nairobi after teasing Macron over a race with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge on May 11, 2026/ PCS

French President Emmanuel Macron with marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge./PCS

President William Ruto on Monday turned a diplomatic engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron into a humorous celebration of Kenya’s athletics dominance after teasing Macron over a race with marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge.

The light-hearted moment unfolded during a joint engagement at the University of Nairobi, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.

“Today Macron went for a competition with Eliud Kipchoge,” Ruto said, before Macron quickly interrupted with a smile: “I lost.”

Ruto seized the moment to proudly market Kenya as the global home of athletics excellence, joking that countries looking for sporting success know exactly where to go.

“If you want to relay, please find your way to Botswana. Good football, find your way to Senegal. But if you want really good international world-class athletics, this is the place,” Ruto said as the crowd erupted in laughter.

The President described Kenya as the birthplace of sporting history, pointing to the country’s global dominance in long-distance running and referencing the historic sub-two-hour marathon achievement associated with Kenyan athletics.

“This is the place where history is made. This is the place where the first man on earth has run a marathon under two hours,” he said.

Ruto also praised Sebastian Sawe, saying his rise from humble beginnings to global recognition symbolised the power of Kenyan talent.

“We are very proud. I mean a man who went to an unknown primary school but has made history,” the President said.

Beyond the humour, Ruto said sports had evolved into a major economic and diplomatic tool, creating jobs and strengthening tourism and culture.

“Today, sports are an industry. Sports are culture, diplomacy, tourism and jobs,” he said.

Earlier in the morning, Macron swapped formal summit meetings for running shoes as he joined Kipchoge for a jog through Nairobi.

The French leader, in Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit 2026, was seen jogging alongside the two-time Olympic champion in a relaxed session that quickly caught attention online.

Macron wore a navy blue track shirt with a thick white stripe on the sleeves, black shorts and blue running shoes, while Kipchoge appeared composed in matching running gear as the pair chatted while keeping pace on Nairobi roads.

They were followed by a group of runners and what appeared to be members of the presidential security team.

The unusual sight of a sitting French president jogging alongside one of Kenya’s greatest athletes offered a lighter moment away from the busy schedule of the Africa Forward Summit 2026, which has brought together heads of state, investors and policymakers in Nairobi.