Eliud Kipchoge
Who was Eliud Kipchoge?
Kenyan marathon runner who holds the official world record (2:01:09) and became the first person to run a marathon under two hours in a controlled event.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Eliud Kipchoge (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Eliud Kipchoge, born November 5, 1984, in Kapsisiywa, Kenya, is a long-distance runner known for his unmatched success in marathon running. He started his athletic career as a track specialist in the 5000 meters before switching to road racing, becoming one of the best marathoners in history. Early in his career, he shone on the track, becoming the youngest senior 5000m world champion at age 18 in 2003.
Kipchoge's domination in marathon running started after he switched to the distance in 2012. He won his first marathon in Hamburg in 2013 and quickly became the world's top marathoner. Between 2013 and 2023, he won 15 of his first 18 marathons, including all six World Marathon Majors. His consistent and smart racing tactics made him almost unbeatable during this time, with only three losses: to world record holder Wilson Kipsang in 2013 and unexpected challenges at the 2020 London Marathon and 2023 Boston Marathon.
The height of Kipchoge's career came with his Olympic wins and world record feats. He won Olympic gold medals in the marathon at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, confirming his status as the world's best marathoner. From 2018 to 2023, he held the official world record with a time of 2:01:09, set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon. He also made history by being the first person to run a marathon under two hours in a special event, though it wasn't an official world record due to the controlled conditions.
Kipchoge has dominated multiple marathon courses, particularly in London and Berlin. He holds the record for most wins at both events, winning London four times and Berlin five times, with his latest Berlin win in September 2023. His five World Marathon Majors series championships (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022) mark another record in professional marathon running. In recognition of his achievements, he received the Goldener Rathausmann award in 2023, celebrating his contributions to the sport.
Before Fame
Growing up in Kapsisiywa, a rural area in Kenya's Rift Valley known for producing top distance runners, Kipchoge was surrounded by a culture where running was part of everyday life. The region's high altitude, over 2,000 meters above sea level, provided natural training conditions that helped develop the cardiovascular capacity needed for success in distance running.
Kipchoge's rise to international fame started early when he began competing in local and regional cross-country events as a teenager. His big moment came at the 2003 World Cross Country Championships, where he won the junior race and set a world junior record. This success led to his selection for the senior World Championships later that year, where he won his first major international title in the 5000 meters at just 18 years old, marking him as a promising talent in distance running.
Key Achievements
- Two-time Olympic marathon champion (2016 Rio, 2020 Tokyo)
- Former marathon world record holder with 2:01:09 set in 2022
- First person to run a marathon under two hours in a controlled event
- Record five-time World Marathon Majors series champion
- Won 15 of his first 18 professional marathons from 2013-2023
Did You Know?
- 01.He held the world record in the marathon from 2018 to 2023 until it was broken by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon
- 02.His transition from track to marathon came relatively late in his career, at age 28 in 2012, after nearly a decade of competing in the 5000 meters
- 03.He has run four of the ten fastest marathon times in history, demonstrating exceptional consistency at the highest level
- 04.His second-fastest half marathon debut time of 59:25 in 2012 indicated his immediate potential for marathon success
- 05.He experienced a notable decline in 2024, being defeated in his last three marathon attempts after years of dominance
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Goldener Rathausmann | 2023 | — |