© NN Running Team
Eliud Kipchoge Bows Out and Launches His World Tour: 7 Marathons on 7 Continents to Keep Inspiring the World
Last Sunday, Eliud Kipchoge crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon — his face marked with effort, his eyes glistening with emotion. He finished 17th in 2:14:36, a modest time for the man who once ruled the marathon world, but one that carried enormous symbolism: the Kenyan legend had just completed his final conquest — all six World Marathon Majors. For many, that moment marked the end of an era — the farewell of the greatest marathoner of all time, the man who rewrote what was humanly possible. A two-time Olympic champion, five-time Berlin winner, four-time London champion, two-time world record holder, and the first human ever to break the two-hour barrier — Kipchoge has lived every runner’s dream. Yet for him, every finish line hides another one ahead. His next challenge, called “Eliud Kipchoge World Tour,” is as ambitious as his legacy: running seven marathons on seven continents in just two years.
| The Man Who Redefined the Marathon
Before becoming the greatest marathoner in history, Eliud Kipchoge was a track star. Born in 1984 in Kapsisiywa, Kenya, he first made his mark in the 5,000 meters, becoming world champion at just 18 years old — the start of a lifelong love story with running. Olympic silver and bronze medals followed, showcasing his extraordinary endurance and iron will.
After a decade on the track, Kipchoge moved to the roads — where his true legend would be written. Over the years, he has won 16 marathons, including five in Berlin, four in London, and victories in Chicago and Tokyo. In 2018 and 2022, he broke the world record in Berlin, cementing his dominance over the sport. Then came October 2019 — the day he changed history forever. At the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours (1:59:40). It wasn’t an official record, but it was proof that human limits are meant to be broken.
A double Olympic champion in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Kipchoge hasn’t just collected medals — he’s embodied discipline, precision, and serenity. His stride became iconic, his smile legendary, and his calm perseverance a life lesson in itself.
© Eliud's Running World
| The Final Chapter of a Living Legend
Kipchoge’s story is one of discipline, humility, and purpose — a journey that has inspired millions around the world. From his small Kenyan village to the greatest arenas of sport, he conquered everything without ever losing his grace. At his training camp in Kaptagat, simplicity and structure became his daily creed. His mantra — “No Human Is Limited” — was never just a marketing slogan, but a philosophy of life.
In 2017, he was even invited to Oxford University to share his wisdom on resilience and focus. Eliud Kipchoge transformed running into something spiritual. He showed that running could be an act of faith, patience, and inner peace. His records were not the point — they were the byproduct of joy, discipline, and community. In recent years, his body began to show the inevitable signs of time. But true to himself, Kipchoge continued to line up with the best, running not to win, but to inspire. At 41, he no longer runs to beat the clock — but to keep moving forward.
| Eliud’s Running World: Running for Humanity
Unveiled right after the New York Marathon, Kipchoge’s next chapter is both poetic and profound: running seven marathons on seven continents — Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania, and yes… even Antarctica. The project, titled “Eliud’s Running World,” supported by his NN Running Team, will span two years. It’s not just an athletic challenge — it’s a human and cultural journey. The goal: to unite runners from all corners of the globe around a shared passion and a universal message — that running can bring people together. Each marathon will also serve a philanthropic mission through the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which promotes education access and environmental protection. Run to learn. Run to breathe. Run to build. Through this initiative, Kipchoge aims to raise funds to support libraries, educational programs, and ecological projects across the world. As he puts it himself, it’s no longer about medals — but about meaning and mentorship.
“Because a world that runs is a happy world.
A world that runs is a healthy world.
A world that runs is a peaceful world.”
Eliud Kipchoge
| From Asia to Antarctica: Connecting a World in Motion
The project perfectly captures the new face of Kipchoge — not just an athlete, but an ambassador of global running. He no longer seeks to break records, but to build bridges. At 41, he’s embracing a mission that’s more symbolic than competitive — to make the entire planet a shared running track.
Forget the elite podiums and world records. The Eliud Kipchoge World Tour will be a collective adventure — from the plains of Africa to the streets of Europe, the coasts of Oceania to the ice fields of Antarctica.
As Eliud Kipchoge steps away from the World Marathon Majors, he leaves behind an immense legacy. A new generation will chase faster times, but for millions of runners, Kipchoge will always remain the greatest of all time. His humility, his aura, and his achievements have shaped the modern marathon. Now, he’s transforming his athletic feats into human adventures — living proof of his most powerful belief: No Human Is Limited. The Eliud Kipchoge World Tour isn’t a farewell tour — it’s a new beginning. A way to give back to the sport that gave him everything — meaning, community, and voice. And that voice will continue to resonate — calm, steady, and inspiring — like the rhythmic sound of his stride on the world’s greatest marathon courses.
✔ Learn more about Eliud’s Running World on the official project website.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journaliste
