Distance running legend Eliud Kipchoge says that preparing for his “Seven Continents World Tour” is becoming harder than when he got ready for the World Marathon Majors and championship races.
“This is unlike before, where there were minimal off-road engagements with the focus solely on competing,” said the 41-year-old Kipchoge, who has competed in 18 races in six of the World Marathon Major races.
“It’s absolutely a whole new experience, but harder too, unlike when I competed at the Olympics or World Marathon Majors,” said Kipchoge, who won the Melbourne Marathon in a course record time of two hours, 09 minutes and 10 seconds. "By the way, I had tea and oatmeal before the race," said Kipchoge.
Kipchoge, who has won Berlin Marathon five times including his world record breaking streak in 2018 (2:01:39) and 2022 (2:01:09), affirmed that his new venture isn’t about winning but meeting people to hear their stories and make them embrace sports more.
Absa Bank Kenya Marketing and Corporate Affairs Director Mwihaki Wachira (right) and Consumer Banking Director Moses Muthui (left) celebrate the unveiling of their partnership with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge at Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi on October 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Kipchoge spoke after signing a multi-million partnership deal with Absa Bank Kenya that will make the two-time Olympic marathon champion the bank’s financial partner for three years.
Kipchoge flew directly from Australia to a grand reception yesterday afternoon by Absa Kenya at Ole Sereni Hotel. Those present to pen the deal were Absa Kenya marketing and corporate affairs director, Mwihaki Wachira and Absa Kenya personal and private banking director, Moses Muthui.
Kipchoge, who has had a chequered running career spanning 24 years, announced stepping away from elite competitive marathon running after competing at the New York City Marathon in November last year, where he finished 17th.
Instead, Kipchoge unveiled a global project where he intends to run marathons across the seven continents with his final and ultimate target where he will run in the Antarctica region.
“I was focused on winning then, but my world tour is to get as many people as possible to take up sports as well as raise funds for noble causes like putting up libraries and education facilities,” said Kipchoge, who disclosed that he will compete in four races and on four continents next year.
Kipchoge revealed that the Melbourne Marathon provided yet another historic and humbling moment for him after a great reception along the course before finishing the race at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was the main central stadium for the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge (left) takes a selfie with his fans during the unveiling of his partnership with Absa Bank Kenya at Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi on October 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The Melbourne Marathon was his third marathon this year, having competed at Cape Town City Marathon on May 24 in South Africa and the New Balance Porto Alegre Marathon on July 12 in Brazil.
Kipchoge described his partnership with Absa Kenya as beautiful and encouraged fellow athletes to move beyond the running tracks and victories to engage the corporates.
"I want people to remember me by my slogan that 'No human is limited'...let them push their limits. Let people co-exist peacefully. Let us build this country, Kenya, in a positive way. We have no other place to call home," said Kipchoge.
