Eliud Kipchoge to make Sydney Marathon debut after Olympics mishap

Legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge has confirmed his participation in the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon, which will be held on Sunday, 31 August.

This will be his first race in Australia and second following his Paris Olympics disappointment.

He endured a challenging 2024 season, including a 10th-place finish in the Tokyo Marathon, marking his worst-ever marathon performance.

His attempt to complete a historic Olympic hat-trick in Paris ended prematurely when he dropped out at mile 19.

The Sydney Marathon will be an opportunity to reaffirm his dominance.

He will compete in the London Marathon on April 27, aiming to return to winning ways before his highly anticipated Sydney debut.

There is more to come after London Marathon, says Kipchoge

Kipchoge’s participation in the Sydney Marathon is a historic moment for both the race and Australian athletics.

The event, which has officially joined the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors (Abbott WMM), is expecting a record-breaking 35,000 participants, solidifying its status as Australia’s largest marathon.

Race director Wayne Larden described Kipchoge’s involvement as monumental in Australian marathon history.

“Eliud Kipchoge is not only the greatest marathoner of all time but a champion athlete known and celebrated throughout the world. His presence will elevate the event to new heights, bringing an unprecedented level of excitement, prestige, and global attention,” Larden said.

Australian Athletics President Jane Flemming echoed similar sentiments, placing Kipchoge’s legacy alongside sporting icons such as Roger Bannister, Usain Bolt and Roger Federer.

“It is incredibly exciting that Australians will have the opportunity to run alongside Eliud and witness his greatness in person,” she stated.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020) and 11-time Abbott WMM champion has an illustrious career that includes victories at the London, Berlin, Chicago, and Tokyo Marathons.

He famously ran the first sub-two-hour marathon (1:59:40) at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in 2019, although the race was not eligible for official records due to its controlled conditions.

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With 16 victories in 21 officially ratified marathons, including five of the 13 fastest marathon times in history, Kipchoge remains one of the greatest marathoners.

His participation in the Sydney Marathon is expected to attract thousands of spectators.