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

Six years ago, on 14 October 2019, Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge pitched a message online.

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“Dear Mr. Obama, Thank you for your special words,” Kipchoge wrote, responding to a post from former US President Barack Obama, who was congratulating the Kenyan for becoming the first man to run under two hours in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria held two days earlier.

“In life we hope to inspire others. Thank you for inspiring me. It would be my greatest honour if we could meet, and discuss how we can make this world a running world, as a running world is a peaceful world.”

Nearly three years later - on 23 September 2022 - another pitch came, this time Kipchoge telling AFP that the only person he wished to share a morning run with was … Obama.

“I think I would choose Barack Obama," Kipchoge said. “I would invite him to Kenya to run. He has a character of inspiration, the character of unity, and it goes beyond all human nature.”

Kipchoge, a man who last Sunday completed his World Marathon Majors Six Star journey in New York, can count Thursday, 6 November 2025 as one of his biggest days, major wins, Olympic golds and world records aside.

In Washington D.C, there he was, one on one with his inspiration.

©Eliud Kipchoge/Facebook

“Yesterday I had the greatest privilege to meet Mr. President Obama. A day that I will treasure,” Kipchoge wrote on his Facebook account, accompanied by five photos, two of them showing the two standing joyfully side by side.

“I believe that we all need to be inspired by the people around us to learn from each other, so we can come together as humans for a better world. For me the person who has inspired me the most is Mr. President Barack Obama.

An advocate for a united world, no matter what your background is in the world. But also a person who has remained humble and disciplined throughout a successful life.”

As fate would have it, the meeting came days after Kipchoge, an 11-time major marathon winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist, had called time on elite racing, embarking on a new journey dubbed the 'Eliud Kipchoge World Tour.'

In the project, Kipchoge announced he would race seven marathons across all seven continents over the next two years, with a goal to raise funds for his foundation, but also to unite the world through running - a key statement in his first pitch to Obama.

Kipchoge embarks on new journey after calling time on elite racing

It was therefore befitting that apart from the customized gift of two signed shoes Kipchoge carried along to the meeting, his bigger goal was also on the table.

©Eliud Kipchoge/Facebook

“Our conversation was one of reflection and shared purpose about leadership, legacy, and how the next generation can rise through sport, education, and service,” Kipchoge wrote.

“We also explored ways the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation and the Obama Foundation can work together on causes close to our hearts: youth leadership, education, and the power of sport to transform lives.

Together, we hope to help young people believe that no dream is too distant, and no beginning too small.”

Indeed!