Eliud Kipchoge unveils plan to run 7 marathons on 7 continents
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Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge crossing the line of the New York marathon in 17th on Nov 2.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW YORK – Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge says he will run seven marathons on seven continents over the next two years to raise funds for causes he believes in – even as he continues to race at the elite level.
Kipchoge’s World Tour was announced after the Kenyan great, a former world record holder, finished the New York Marathon on Nov 2, crossing the line in 17th in 2hr 14min 36sec to cheers from the Central Park crowd.
“This unprecedented two-year journey will take (Kipchoge) across the world to compete in marathons on all seven continents, while continuing to race at the elite level,” his management team said in a statement.
“This project aims to inspire the world to become a running world while raising funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation in support of education and environmental causes worldwide, bridging the things that Eliud so deeply cares for.”
Before the race, Kipchoge told Olympics.com that he wanted to run in Antarctica, saying his new project was a chance to “do that extreme thing that can make someone work hard”.
Kipchoge, who will turn 41 on Nov 5, said in a statement that his globetrotting project will let him “compete not only for records but for the people”.
“I want to continue to push myself to run at my best but I also want to inspire, give back and remind everyone that no human is limited,” he said.
His compatriots swept the men and women’s podiums
Kipruto ran flat out through the final 50m to hold off a late fight from Alexander Mutiso, breaking the tape by three hundredths of a second in a photo finish, with 2021 winner Albert Korir finishing third (2:08:57).
“It was amazing. The last part was so hard,” Kipruto, 34, said in a televised interview. “I was pushing so hard to make sure I win.”
It was the fourth World Marathon Major title for Kipruto, who was in a two-man race with Mutiso at the 40km mark and appeared to be completely in control with 200m left.
He was forced to accelerate through the final straight, however, as his 29-year-old compatriot launched a gutsy late attack to wild cheers in Central Park.
Paris bronze medallist Obiri, who won in New York in 2023, was running shoulder to shoulder with runner-up Sharon Lokedi (2:20:07) and enjoyed a comfortable finish after the 35-year-old pulled away ahead of the final turn to claim her fourth World Marathon Major title.
The 2024 winner, Sheila Chepkirui (2:20:24), was third.
“We had a very strong field,” said Obiri, who pocketed an extra US$50,000 for breaking Margaret Okayo’s 22-year-old course record of 2:22:31. “(I told myself) let me try to do my best, let me push.”
AFP, REUTERS
