Paris Olympics: Eliud Kipchoge's date with destiny in historic marathon

As the Paris 2024 Olympics men’s marathon takes center stage in what will be akin to the historic march set to link the Hôtel de Ville to Versailles, one man in the pack, Eliud Kipchoge, will be eyeing more history as he seeks to become the first man to win a three-peat in the 42-km distance.

After his win in Tokyo three years ago, Kipchoge equaled the exploits of Ethiopia's Abebe Bikila and East Germany's Waldemar Cierpinski in winning two Olympic golds and will on Saturday morning (0900 EAT) hope to go one clear, and into the history books.

"Its my huge expectation to win the Olympics for the third time" - Eliud Kipchoge

The 39-year-old will be joined in this quest by his fellow countrymen Benson Kipruto and Alexander Mutiso, with their stories to write following their amazing seasons in the world majors.

Where to watch

The race will be broadcast live on KBC Channel One and will be available on dedicated Supersport channels on DSTV.

Match-up between greats

Perhaps competing for the last time at the Olympics, the men’s marathon will provide one of the finest match-ups that has riddled athletics when Kipchoge goes up against his long-time rival Kenenisa Bekele, and in a venue almost symbolic of the first time they met on the track.

The 2003 World Championships, hosted in the French capital, were the first time two of the greatest long-distance runners ever met.

It was the Kenyan Kipchoge who prevailed over 5000m, the only career track gold medal at a global track event of his career, with Bekele in third.

On Saturday, a chance to exchange blows once again, but with eyes on the other impressive runners in the field.

Leading Ethiopia’s charge will be Deresa Geleta, who won this year’s Seville Marathon in a course record time of 2:03.27, and 2022 world champion Tamirat Tola, who finished third at last year’s London Marathon and won the New York City Marathon in a course record of 2:04.58.

And whilst much of the attention will fall on Kipchoge, who is currently the fastest man alive in the absence of world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, he will be wary of the challenge posed by his teammates.

Kenya has won three of the last four men’s Olympic marathons and still boasts a formidable team in Kipruto, winner at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, where Kipchoge suffered his fourth marathon loss, finishing 10th.

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There's also Munyao, who topped the London marathon in April, where Bekele finished second.

Other runners to keep a firm eye on are the Ugandans, who are led by reigning world gold medalist Victor Kiplangat.

It's also worth keeping an eye on the other Tokyo 2020 podium finishers – silver medalist Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, and Belgian bronze medalist Bashir Abdi, in what will surely serve up as a tough and demanding race.

As per the race organizers, the route will set demanding conditions for the athletes, because the Paris region is not as flat as it might seem.

While a marathon is always a challenge for the body, this will be particularly true for the Paris 2024 event, with a route that will include a 436m-climb and 438m descent. The maximum gradient on the route will be 13.5%.