2025 RECAP: A look into Eliud Kipchoge's last dance, start of new chapter

In hindsight, all the signs were there.

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All we - the athletics family - needed to do, was perhaps listen and take note.

Shortly after Eliud Kipchoge ran what in his words, was the worst marathon, at the Paris Olympics in 2024, some distinct words came out of his mouth.

Asked whether there was hope he would attempt running at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the 41-year-old said: "You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation, but I will not run.

I do not know what next. I need to go back [home], sit down, try to figure my 21 years of running at high level. I need to evolve and feature in other things."

In 2025, the answer came, bearing with it Kipchoge's last dance on the major marathons, and the breaking of new ground.

In this piece, we look at the year it was for the running great.

Eliud Kipchoge ©AFP

London marathon return

After a long lay-down post his DNF(Did Not Finish) in the French capital, Kipchoge returned to the streets of London in April, for what was his first visit in five years.

His bid for a win however fell short, as he finished sixth, but once again gave a glimpse of a man charting a new path in the sport.

After the race, he said: "I have nothing more to prove to the world. Marathon is like life. We do not win by our legs, but we win by hearts and our minds."

Why Eliud Kipchoge finds satisfaction despite London Marathon setback

New role

At the end of July, Kipchoge landed a new role, as he was unanimously voted in as an Athlete Representative at the National Olympics Committee of Kenya.

As one of two members elected - alongside rugby star Grace Okulu - Kipchoge was thrust into a new life in the boardrooms, his task being representing the views of his fellow athletes.

On his new responsibility, Kipchoge, a well-known advocate for athlete welfare, said: "I want to get a chance to talk to the athletes of as many federations as possible.

I believe sports can bring huge economic benefits to our country. We need to empower all our sportsmen and sportswomen across all sports to appreciate and understand that sports are an opportunity to make a living and sell themselves.”

Kipchoge outlines key focus areas as NOC-K athletes' representative

Sydney debut

The next stop for Kipchoge came down under in August, where the Kenyan was the star attraction of a race marking its first year in the marathon majors.

The event was Kipchoge's first in the region, and all the evidence was there to show, as he spoke of his love for kangaroos pre-race.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist went on to finish ninth, but the story coming out of his participation, was the record numbers he attracted.

The marathon in October reported that the 2025 event had seen a record breaking 32,963 runners cross the finish line from 117 countries, nearing its target of 40K plus in 2026.

Last dance in the Big Apple

When the announcement came in that Kipchoge was running in New York for the first time, reasonable alarm bells rung.

One, why was he abnormally running three marathons in a year, and two, was this the final hurrah?

New York Marathon poised to be Eliud Kipchoge's last dance in world majors

Days to the race slated for Sunday, 2 November, the 11-time major marathon winner told Reuters that running in New York would complete his legacy, earning him a seventh star.

On the eve of the event, media got wind of his expected plan to walk away from competitive racing, news that were confirmed once he crossed the line at Central Park in 17th.

New Beginnings

Shortly after his induction to the Seven Star Hall of Fame, Kipchoge's new project dubbed "Eliud Kipchoge World Tour" was unveiled, carrying with it a plan for the Kenyan to raise funds for educational and environmental causes, by running seven marathons across all seven continents over the next two years.

"With this project, I want to compete not only for records, but for the people," Kipchoge said. "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."

Meeting Obama and running with the Thai Queen

If not widely recognized as a celebrity, Kipchoge in November surely became one.

On the sixth day of that month, the only man to have run a marathon in under two hours secured a dream meeting with former US President Barack Obama in Washington DC.

Eliud Kipchoge secures dream meeting with 'inspirational' Barack Obama, pledges to work together

Having earlier labelled Obama as an inspiration, Kipchoge was full of smiles and adulation on the day, in which talks of his new project were on the table.

Later that month, further fresh ground was explored, as Kipchoge this time ran side-by-side with royalty, accompanying the Queen of Thailand - Queen Suthida - as part of his ambassadorial role in the country's marathon.

That event, was perhaps the first glimpse of the life the legendary athlete will be on, in a very different, but inspiring 2026.