EXCLUSIVE | I Am Back In A Good Way: Eliud Kipchoge Says Ahead Of London Marathon Return

Timothy Olobulu
04 Feb 2025
15:15

Eliud Kipchoge has been confirmed as one of the Elite athletes for the 2025 London Marathon, scheduled for April 27. ‘King-Choge’ as he has been popularly referred to for a while, will be competing in the British capital for the sixth time, a favorite hunting ground that has seen him win four of his last five races there.

Eliud Kipchoge

Late last year, Kipchoge told Telecomasia.net that he was calculating his ‘next rabbit’, referring to the next race he will be competing in, and has made a decision to go back to London where he has enjoyed massive success and good memories.

Kipchoge picks his pieces after a difficult 2024 that saw him miss out on a podium at the Olympic Games. He dropped off from the competitive race in Paris after 35km due to injury. He had been pushing to become the first man to ever win three Olympic marathon titles in a row.

Just over a few months after he turned 40, the marathon GOAT, the first person to ever run the 42km distance in under two hours, is looking to push his limits as he chases another piece of glory.

With two Olympic gold medals in his belt, two previous world records and envious records across different World Major Marathons, the Kenyan athletics legend is never one to write off before any competition.

His tenacity, ambition and drive have long been admired by many, and the decision to go back to a major race after a difficult year speaks volume of his mentality and ambition to achieve great results.

Kipchoge exclusively speaks to Telecomasia.net on his preparations, ambitions and expectations ahead of his return to London.

- So far, how have your preparations been towards London?

- So far so good. My preparations have been going on really well and everything is perfectly on course. I started early in advance with some light work and I am now picking up as we progress towards the race. I believe I will be ready in good time to compete in a beautiful race. There are several aspects I am working on with my coaches to ensure I am ready in the best of ways.

Eliud Kipchoge

- You have finally picked up on your new assignment after the Olympics. Why did you pick on London?

- I will be competing in London for the sixth time and I have won four times. The memories I carry from each of my five previous appearances and the four wins I had have been in my heart for long. This is what motivates me to go back there and run again. It is like going back to a home that I love and that loves me back.

London is close to my heart and I am excited to go back.

- Do the four previous wins motivate you to go back there and fight to be on the podium again?

- Absolutely yes. Every time you achieve something great, you always want to emulate and try it again. The beautiful memories are a huge motivation for me and they make me push for more. Success makes me hungrier and I always want to do it again and even better.

- What are your expectations in terms of competition? There have been several emerging talents which have come up and are running some good times. Do you expect it tougher this time round as you chase number five?

In terms of competition, there are a lot of young stars who are pushing the limits and getting better by the day. I am happy to run with them and above all motivating them to look beyond sport as a competition and use sport to inspire and motivate the world. Sport is a very powerful tool that can inspire and create a huge impact to humanity.

Eliud Kipchoge

This is what legacy means to me. Not just the sport but beyond the sport.

I expect really good and competitive performances from every one of them and personally, I love challenges as well. It would be great to once again measure myself up against some of the emerging talent that we have not just from Kenya but around the world.

- Last year was probably a bit difficult for you, one in rare occasions that you failed to finish a marathon at the Olympic Games. Mentally, how have you shaken off that to change focus to a new assignment?

Of course it was a tough period, but I am back in a good way and feeling really great both mentally and physically. Disappointing moments are part of challenges in sport and we always have to embrace each and every side of the coin. The same way we celebrate and jubilate in victories, is the same way we should embrace disappointment. It is part of the sport. The biggest thing to do is to learn from it and move on. If you keep yourself circling around it, there will never be progress.

- Finally, everyone is excited to see you back on the London line up and we are all eagerly anticipating the kind of performance you will give. What should your fans expect from you from London?

Fans should expect a great and beautiful race. I am always looking forward to inspire and motivate humanity whichever shape the race takes. Definitely I will always be in to give my best, but the most important thing for me is the impact I leave in every race.

EXCLUSIVE |  Another India-Pakistan Final will Spice up Champions Trophy, Wishes Sarfaraz
EXCLUSIVE | Another India-Pakistan Final will Spice up Champions Trophy, Wishes Sarfaraz
Cristiano Ronaldo Declares Himself the 'Best in History' Ahead of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona & Pele
Cristiano Ronaldo Declares Himself the 'Best in History' Ahead of Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona & Pele
EXCLUSIVE | Bulls President Willem Strauss On Club Rugby: “We Are Totally The Leaders Of South African Rugby At This Stage.”
EXCLUSIVE | Bulls President Willem Strauss On Club Rugby: “We Are Totally The Leaders Of South African Rugby At This Stage.”
Follow Telecom Asia Sport!
Comments
No Comments Yet! Be the first to share what you think!
This website uses cookies
This provides customers with a personalized experience and increases the efficiency of visiting the site, allowing us to provide the most efficient service. By using the website and accepting the terms of the policy, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy.