Eliud Kipchoge to race in Australia for the first time
Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line to win the men's race at the London Marathon on April 28, 2019.
What you need to know:
- The Sydney Marathon was last year included in the elite global series Abbott World Marathon Majors.
- Kipchoge, who has been entered in the London Marathon in April, has run in all other Majors except New York.
Two-time Olympics marathon champion and former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge will race in Oceania for the first time in his career, in the Sydney Marathon on August 31.
The Sydney Marathon was last year included in the elite global series Abbott World Marathon Majors that has Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York races.
Kipchoge, who has been entered in the London Marathon in April, has run in all other Majors except New York.
“I am so excited. This is not only my first time racing the TCS Sydney Marathon, but also my first time running in Oceania. Competing in Australia is a huge opportunity for me. Sydney looks like a stunning city with so many iconic sights. It’s going to be a new and special experience for me," Kipchoge said in a statement released by NN Running Communications on Thursday.
“I’ve been to many places to share my vision of making this world a running world. As I’ve never been to Australia before, I want to help make Australia a running nation,” added the Kenyan great, who trains at Kaptagat in Elgeyo Marakwet under the Global Sports Communications stable.
The Sydney Marathon course record stands at 2:06:18 set by Kenyan Brimin Kipkorir in 2024.
Kipchoge is the second fastest human being in history in the marathon with a personal best of 2:01:09 set in Berlin in 2022.
The Kenyan distance running legend has an impressive record of 16 victories from 21 officially ratified marathon races he has been involved in. They include 11 Majors wins and an unbeaten streak of 10 marathons won between 2014 and 2019.
Last season, though, was not a good outing for Kipchoge after he finished 10th at the Tokyo Marathon on March 3, 2024, won by compatriot Benson Kipruto. He then failed to finish the Paris Olympic Games marathon race on August 10, 2024.