Kenyan long-distance running icon Eliud Kipchoge has broken his silence following his unexpected 10th-place finish at the Tokyo Marathon. The 39-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest marathon runners in history, accepted his defeat, acknowledging that sport entails both triumphs and setbacks.
Kipchoge’s run in Tokyo took a sharp turn as he began to face challenges around the 20-kilometer mark. Despite initially setting out at world record pace, he struggled to maintain this intensity, eventually crossing the finish line with a time of 2:06:50.
This result marks a significant deviation from his usual stellar performances, constituting his worst finish in his illustrious 11-year career on the road.
The race saw Benson Kipruto clinching victory in a remarkable course-record time of 2:02:16, leaving Kipchoge and his fans surprised by the turn of events.
Kipruto’s upset adds to his impressive resume, now having won three of six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo (2024), Chicago (2022), and Boston (2021). The result has fueled speculation about his potential selection for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Reflecting on his performance, Kipchoge said to the press, “Sport is about good days and bad days. Unfortunately, today was a bad day for me.”
He added, “I want to congratulate all participants who reached the finish line, all pursuing their own goals and dreams.”
His statement, shared on social media, expressed gratitude to the participants and fans, emphasizing the lessons learned from the experience.
This setback in Tokyo marks a deviation from Kipchoge’s usual dominance on the marathon circuit.
However, it is not the first time he has faced adversity in his career. Most recently, he bounced back from a sixth-place finish at the 2023 Boston Marathon to claim victory at the Berlin Marathon later that year.
Despite the disappointment, Kipchoge remains focused on his long-term goals, particularly the pursuit of a historic third consecutive Olympic marathon gold medal.
As discussions surrounding his performance reverberate across social media, opinions among Kenyan fans remain divided. While some advocate for Kipchoge’s retirement, citing concerns about his legacy, others staunchly defend his status as the marathon “GOAT.”
Kipchoge’s Tokyo Marathon setback serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of competitive athletics. As Kipchoge focuses on the upcoming Olympic Games, the running world eagerly awaits to see whether Paris has a historic third gold medal or another lackluster performance in store.
