Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has announced his retirement from competitive running and the launch of the Eliud Kipchoge World Tour, a two-year journey that will take him across the world to compete in marathons on all seven continents.
Kipchoge stated this after competing in the New York City Marathon on Sunday, completing his “Six Star” circuit of World Marathon Majors races by clocking two hours, 14 minutes, and 26 seconds for a 17th place finish in his final race in the WMM series that features competitions in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York cities.
With the goal of “uniting the world through running,” Kipchoge will race seven marathons across the seven continents over the next two years. The tour will help raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which supports educational and environmental causes worldwide.
“Running is the most universal sport; it connects us all. With this project, I want to compete not only for records but for the people,” he said. “I want to continue to push myself to run at my best, but I also want to inspire, give back, and remind everyone that no human is limited. I believe that we can all come together and become a better world.
“With this project, I want to compete not only for records but for the people. I want to continue to push myself to run at my best, but I also want to inspire, give back, and remind everyone that no human is limited. I believe that we can all come together and become a better world.”
The first destination of the tour will be announced soon.
Kipchoge’s NN Running Team announced that the legend’s unprecedented two-year journey will take him across the world to compete in marathons on all seven continents while continuing to race at the elite level.
“This project aims to inspire the world to become a running world while raising funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation in support of education and environmental causes worldwide, bridging the things that Eliud so deeply cares for,” NN Running Team said in a statement.
“For years, Eliud [Kipchoge] has set out to inspire the world through running. With this project, he goes all in on his dream to unite the world by visiting each continent and spending meaningful time alongside his fans at each race. Each marathon on this world tour is an invitation to the global running community and a celebration of unity.
“Eliud’s footsteps will connect runners and fans in every corner of the world while setting out to create a movement for a better world,” the statement added.
The project marks a new chapter in Kipchoge’s legacy. One surrounded by fans, fueled by purpose, and anchored in his lifelong philosophy of discipline, respect, and hope. Through the Eliud Kipchoge World Tour, Kipchoge aims to leave a lasting global footprint that continues to inspire generations of runners.
At the heart of the initiative is the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, founded in 2020 to promote education and environmental sustainability. Each continent’s event will also support local projects tied to the foundation’s mission, from building libraries and supporting schools in Kenya and beyond to fostering environmental restoration worldwide.
“All children deserve access to knowledge, education and healthy air to breathe,” Kipchoge says.
“Through this world tour, I hope to raise awareness and resources that help create opportunities for young people everywhere and help to improve the life around them.”
The Eliud Kipchoge World Tour is the first activation that takes place under the project Kipchoge’s Running World. For the coming decade, Eliud aims to launch many new initiatives under this platform to continue to inspire the running world, unite runners worldwide and raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation.
Born in 1984 in Kapsisiywa, Nandi County, Kenya, Eliud Kipchoge is a two-time Olympic marathon champion and former world record holder in the marathon. But more famously, Eliud is the first human ever to run a marathon in under two hours. His pursuit of excellence and humility continues to inspire millions around the globe.
Founded in 2020, the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation empowers communities through education and environmental sustainability. Guided by Eliud’s belief that “No human is limited,” the foundation invests in libraries, early education programmes, and sustainable farming and reforestation initiatives worldwide.
For all updates on Kipchoge’s new running initiative, visit here.
