Legendary marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge has put an end to retirement rumors following his 17th-place finish at the 2025 New York City Marathon, unveiling a bold new mission that redefines his running career.
The five-time Berlin Marathon champion announced plans to embark on an ambitious project — running seven marathons on seven continents over the next two years. The initiative, dubbed the “Eliud Kipchoge World Tour,” aims to promote the “gospel of running” while supporting the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation’s efforts in education and environmental conservation.
Kipchoge clarified that his new direction is not a farewell to the sport but a transition into a more purpose-driven chapter of his life. “For the last 22 years, my life has been about pushing limits, chasing victories, and breaking records,” he said. “Now it’s not retirement, but a transition to running for a purpose — to serve humanity.”
The world tour will include participation in some of the most challenging marathon locations, including the Antarctica Marathon, known for its extreme conditions where last year’s winning time was over three and a half hours. While Kipchoge plans to compete in professional fields, his recent form suggests a shift from record-chasing to inspiration-led running.
His 2:14:36 finish in New York marked the slowest marathon time of his career and a personal low in terms of placement. Yet, at 41, Kipchoge’s endurance and spirit remain unmatched, reflecting a natural evolution for a man who has spent decades at the pinnacle of long-distance running.
Between 2014 and 2022, Kipchoge’s dominance in the marathon world was unmatched. He captured two Olympic gold medals, twice broke the marathon world record, and made history by becoming the first man to run the distance in under two hours during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in 2019.
Beyond his marathon achievements, Kipchoge’s track career included a World Championship gold medal and multiple Olympic podium finishes, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history.
Now, with the “Eliud Kipchoge World Tour,” he seeks to inspire a global audience while using running as a tool for positive change. For fans worldwide, this new chapter is less about records and more about witnessing a living legend continue to make an impact beyond the finish line.
