Marathon fans around the world may need to prepare for an emotional goodbye. Running legend Eliud Kipchoge has dropped a major hint that 2025 might be his final year of elite competition.
After more than 20 years of dominance, the 40-year-old Kenyan icon is showing signs of shifting his focus from medals to meaningful causes.
In a recent interview with Olympics.com, Kipchoge said he is thinking beyond the finish line. His next steps may not involve podiums but purpose-driven runs to promote education and conservation. Still, he promises fans one more competitive season before stepping away.
Eliud Kipchoge’s Career Nears Its Final Lap in 2025
Kipchoge’s latest remarks suggest the countdown to retirement has officially begun. Although he has not announced an exact date, the message is clear: 2025 could be his last dance.
“I think I’ll be going around the world to run in big city marathons for a cause: for education and for conservation,” Kipchoge said. “But above all, I’m still having one more year.”
His statement came just days after his sixth-place finish at the 2025 London Marathon on April 27. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for a man who once seemed unbeatable. Kipchoge later confirmed it was his final appearance in London, a city where he has claimed four marathon victories.
That performance seemed symbolic—an icon gracefully bowing out while still running with pride. The result may not have been his best, but the message was deeper: the end of Kipchoge’s competitive era is near.
Yet, retirement won’t pull him off the roads completely. Instead, he wants to use his fame and unmatched legacy to raise awareness for global issues.
A Look Back at Kipchoge’s Unmatched Legacy
Eliud Kipchoge is more than a marathoner. He is a global icon, a sports pioneer, and a living legend.
He stunned the world in 2019 by becoming the only human to run a marathon in under two hours. Though it was not an official record, his 1:59:40 finish in Vienna remains one of the most iconic moments in sports history.
In official races, Kipchoge has delivered time and again. He has won the Berlin Marathon five times, including a world record performance in 2022 where he clocked 2:01:09—the second-fastest official marathon time ever.
He also ruled the Olympic stage. Kipchoge captured gold medals in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, solidifying his status as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Now, after years of dominance, Kipchoge says he has nothing left to prove.
“I am not competing with anybody at all,” he explained. “I’m competing with myself, my message, my values… I’m running with the values of sport. I’m running with the values of humanity.”
What Comes Next for Kipchoge After Competitive Racing
Despite a slower finish in London, Kipchoge is not done yet. His next scheduled race is the Sydney Marathon in August 2025. It could be the final major race in a career packed with historic milestones.
When asked about competing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Kipchoge quickly ruled it out. “Not really,” he said. “I think I’d have a lot of work to do.”
His focus now is on legacy, not medals. Kipchoge plans to use his global platform to run for causes that matter to him deeply, especially education and environmental conservation. His message is simple but powerful: running is about more than just speed; it’s about meaning.
Fans can still expect to see him lace up his shoes and take part in international marathons—but not for personal records. Instead, Kipchoge hopes to inspire the next generation of athletes, leaders, and changemakers through purposeful action.
In stepping away from competition, Kipchoge is not slowing down. He is simply choosing a new path—one that could be just as impactful as his legendary running career.
