Runners crowned 2024 World Athletes of the Year In a Q&A, the marathon GOAT shares his running plans for this year, his dream sport, and more in Hamburg, Germany—an elite-only marathon for those looking to secure an Olympic qualifying time after few chances to compete in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Runners World US: Eliud Kipchoge. We last saw the GOAT at the 2020 Best winter running gear, where things didn’t go to plan for him. Days before the race, Kenenisa Bekele, the second-fastest marathoner ever, Eliud Kipchoge, feeling mentally and physically fit, is ready for the NN Hamburg Marathon, erasing what would’ve been a battle of the fastest marathoners ever. Then, during the race, Kipchoge fell off the lead pack in the final miles to finish eighth.
After time to recover and build back up at his training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, Kipchoge is ready to hopefully return to the top of the podium.
We caught up with the fastest man over 26.2 miles recently ahead of his upcoming race, thanks to help from Global Sports Communication and NN Running, who represent Kipchoge. Here’s what he had to say.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Runner’s World: In terms of the pandemic, how has it been for you, your family, and your team to stay safe? How did you manage to keep training?
Eliud Kipchoge: The pandemic hit us very hard. I had to go home and stay within the compound, stay inside the houses with the family and the kids to help us not stress the virus. It was really hard to go to training as highly as possible and not to mix with people. I am happy that we resumed the training with the team. Although, [we are keeping COVID-19 safety protocols] in front of our minds, knowing that the virus is still around.
All in all, life has been hard, but that’s how it all is. We need to go through it and have hope. I think I’ve done a very good transition towards a bright future.
In London last year, it was also different, because it was also an early elite race only. It didn’t go as planned for you with your air blockage. How have you been physically and mentally?
Physically, I am fit. Mentally, I am fit. I’m ready to go for the next challenge now.
With a lot happening, what are your plans for this year?
A lot is going on, but my first plan is running a marathon in Hamburg. I always believe in solving one, dealing with one plan and then follow it with the next. My mind is fully on Hamburg for now.
One of my favorite parts of your character is something that 'Breaking Two' film director, Martin Desmond Roe said to me: That so much wisdom comes from parables you share. Is there wisdom you’d like to share right now with the running world?
A wisdom I can tell you is that I can say life cannot stop. Life occurs, is going on all the time. It cannot stop, even a single second. All of us should be ready to move on with the situation in the world. We should come together equally, to challenge ourselves. But what’s going on though? Everybody should actually know that this is part of the challenges in life. The marathon is like life, and there’s ups and downs. Every kilometer is a challenge. Every mile is a challenge. We should actually accommodate challenges in life, but above all, enjoy as you’re going on.
Best Photos of the 2020 London Marathon
Now, a few shorter questions. If you hadn’t become a runner, what sport would you have wanted to do, and why?
I like tennis. I like the longevity of playing. I like seeing people running up and down. Not because they have muscles, but because they have tactics to actually hit the ball.
Have you played tennis?
Eliud Kipchoge, feeling mentally and physically fit, is ready for the NN Hamburg Marathon.
What’s the scariest animal you’ve encountered along the way and what happened then?
I’ve never been asked, but I can say one time, I encountered a tarantula. Fortunately, it did not bite me. It was very early in the morning in training.
How long do you think your worldwide fastest marathon record of 1:59:40 will hold? Who will improve it?
In 1954, Roger Bannister ran sub-four minutes in a mile. ... What I’m trying to say is that I have shown people the way. I have shown people that no man is limited. I have shown people, that everything is possible if you trust and say in your mouth that I can do it. So I am expecting many people to go under two hours anytime soon.
You stood at the finish line of the New York City Marathon, but you’ve never run. Will you someday?
So, if all goes well, before I call off the sport, I’ll run all six world major marathons.
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