Motivated Eliud Kipchoge opens up on London Marathon, next race, and mentorship role

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge got back on the road since his DNF (did not finish) at the Paris Olympics Marathon with a 2:05:25 sixth-place finish at this year’s London Marathon on Sunday, 27 April.

In a post-race interview, the four-time London winner expressed satisfaction with his finish, maintaining that his mission was to continue with the running movement.

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“I am happy with the performance, running here and finishing to continue with the movement. It was nice to finish with a good time, after the Paris Olympics’ disappointment, and crossing the line with the right values in the sport,” Kipchoge expressed.

Despite keeping up with the leading pack that had compatriot Sabastian Sawe, first man home in 2:02:27, Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda (2:03:37), last year’s winner Alexander Mutiso Munyao ( 2:04:20), Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands (2:04:20), and reigning Olympic champion Tamirat Tola (2:04:42), he dropped off the pace midway through the classic distance, finishing off the podium for only the second time in six London Marathon races, having won in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019.

Asked whether his expectations had changed since his dominance in the classic distance had been challenged, he said: “I am happy with what I am doing. I am here not to prove myself to anyone but to run with the Olympic spirit, as these streets of London speak the language, spirit, and values of the Olympic Games.”

“I want to carry the same spirit, values, and movement to my next race in Sydney,” Kipchoge added, revealing his next race, set for Sunday, 31 August.

“I am happy with the winners today. They are the young generation that should continue life. These guys are younger than my profession, and I am happy to run with them.

It was tougher keeping up with them when it got warmer, but being able to move with them at my age is great. I am trying to instil the same values in them, and I hope they get to run for the next 20 years,” Kipchoge concluded.