Legendary Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge has officially closed an extraordinary chapter in athletics. On Sunday, November 2, 2025, he crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon, marking his final appearance on the major marathon circuit and sealing his place in history as a seven-star elite marathoner, having competed in all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors.
A Fitting Final Race
For Kipchoge, running in New York was more than just another competition; it was a long-awaited dream. Speaking before the race, he shared what the moment meant to him:
“November, and it’s New York. It’s a place that has been on my mind for a long time. It’s time for me to go there and get a Seven Star before embarking on my new journey of running for other things; running for a purpose.”
And with that, he did exactly what the world expected he finished strong, graceful, and full of gratitude, closing his marathon career on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.
A New Chapter Ahead
While many athletes retire quietly, Kipchoge is already looking to new frontiers. He revealed plans to take on extreme running challenges in unconventional locations, with a focus on inspiring others and rallying support for global causes.
“I will run in Antarctica! I will run even 50 kilometres in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I want to do that extreme thing that can make somebody work hard and also get partners to rally for a cause.”
Even in retirement, Kipchoge’s message remains the same running is not just a sport, it’s a force for good.
From Track Star to Marathon Legend
Kipchoge’s path to greatness began two decades ago. In 2003, at just 18, he stunned the world by winning the 5000m world title at the World Athletics Championships in Paris, defeating legends Kenenisa Bekele and Hicham El Guerrouj. That same year, he also captured gold at the World Cross Country Championships, signaling the rise of a generational talent.
After winning Olympic medals on the track bronze in Athens 2004 and silver in Beijing 2008 Kipchoge transitioned to the roads. His marathon debut in Hamburg (2013) ended with a course record, and his dominance soon spread across the London and Berlin Marathons.
In 2018, he broke the marathon world record in Berlin with a time of 2:01:39, and four years later, improved it to 2:01:09. Between those achievements, he produced one of sport’s most iconic moments completing the marathon distance in under two hours at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, clocking 1:59:40.
Kipchoge also won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the marathon at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, cementing his status as the greatest marathoner of all time.
A Legacy That Runs On
Now, as he steps off the marathon stage, Kipchoge’s influence extends far beyond medals and records. His discipline, humility, and belief that “no human is limited” have inspired athletes across generations.
With his final stride in New York, Eliud Kipchoge doesn’t just end a career he begins a legacy that will keep running for decades to come.
