Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest distance runner of all time, finished ninth at the Sydney Marathon on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The 40-year-old Kenyan admitted he has nothing left to prove, calling the event more about inspiration than competition.
Kipchoge, who has won nearly every major marathon in the world and famously ran a marathon in under two hours, hinted this could be his last professional race. Still, his words and presence turned the Sydney Marathon into a global celebration of running.
Eliud Kipchoge Sydney Race Leaves Mixed Emotions
Kipchoge entered the Sydney Marathon as the star attraction. Fans lined the streets to see the two-time Olympic champion, but what unfolded showed that time is finally catching up with him.
He struggled for much of the 42-kilometre course, clocking 2:08:31. By professional standards, it was far from his best, yet still a remarkable feat for an athlete at 40.
The men’s race was won by Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros, who ran a blistering 2:06:06 to set a new course record. For Kiros, 28, it was his first major marathon victory after strong performances in Tokyo and Berlin.
Despite not contending for the win, Kipchoge said his goal in Sydney was never about medals. Instead, it was about bringing together runners and inspiring new generations.
“I’m happy to go across the finish line. I have nothing to prove. My mission is to bring all the people together,” Kipchoge said after finishing.
Kipchoge Hints at Retirement After Sydney Marathon
This was Kipchoge’s 23rd career marathon, and many believe it will be his last. Earlier this year, he ran the London Marathon, finishing sixth, and hinted soon after that retirement was near.
He told reporters that his focus would shift to running for causes like education and environmental conservation rather than competing at the highest level.
“I think I’ll be going around the world to run in big city marathons for a cause,” Kipchoge said. “But above all, I’m still having one more year.”
The Sydney finish strengthens speculation that Kipchoge is preparing to walk away from professional racing while still admired worldwide.
Legacy of a Marathon Icon
Kipchoge’s career speaks for itself. He has won the Berlin Marathon five times, including the 2018 edition where he set a then-world record of 2:01:39, later improving it to 2:01:09. He also claimed victory in London four times, cementing his dominance across the sport’s most competitive races.
But his most iconic moment came in Vienna in 2019 when he became the first human in history to complete a marathon in under two hours, finishing in 1:59:40. Though not an official world record due to controlled conditions, the achievement stunned the world and elevated Kipchoge beyond sport.
In Sydney, Kipchoge made it clear he wanted to inspire Australia to embrace running. “It’s a beautiful course. It’s a course for which there is no other in this world. Above all, I have crossed the finish line to empower the people of Australia. To make Australia a running nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Dutch runner Sifan Hassan defeated world record holder Brigid Kosgei in a thrilling battle. Hassan crossed the line in 2:18:22, setting a new course record and winning her fourth marathon out of six attempts.
Kosgei kept up with Hassan until the 35-kilometre mark, but Hassan broke away to seal victory. The result underscored a generational shift in marathon running, with younger stars rising as icons like Kipchoge edge closer to the finish line of their careers.
