The end of an era is near.
Eliud Kipchoge, the most decorated marathoner of all time, has confirmed that the 2025 New York City Marathon will be his final appearance on the World Marathon Majors circuit.
After two decades of dominance, 11 major victories, and two Olympic gold medals, the 40-year-old Kenyan icon is stepping away from elite road racing, but not from running itself.
In fact, his next act sounds as bold as any world record attempt he’s ever made.
“I will run in Antarctica,” Kipchoge told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview. “I want to do that extreme thing that can make someone work hard.”
Despite having competed in nearly every iconic city race, Kipchoge has never run New York, until now. The November 2 showdown marks both his debut and his swan song on the city marathon stage.
It’s more than just another tick on his resume. With this final race, Kipchoge will officially earn the Seven Star medal, an honor reserved for those who’ve completed all World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, Sydney (recently added), and now New York.
But he’s not simply showing up for a farewell jog.
“I’m really ready to run well,” Kipchoge said. “I will be trying to be on the podium…It’s not about just participating, it’s about competition.”
After a difficult outing in Sydney where he finished ninth, and a DNF at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kipchoge is chasing one last statement race.
He’ll line up in New York as the fastest man in the field, taking on veterans like Kenenisa Bekele, Abdi Nageeye, and Evans Chebet on the challenging, undulating course.
What Comes Next
Kipchoge may be retiring from the spotlight of elite city marathons, but he’s far from done with running. In fact, he’s redefining what post-elite athletic life could look like, by taking endurance to the edges of the Earth.
“A lot is in store which I will roll out after New York…It will be an interesting journey,” he said.
At the top of that list?
Running a marathon in Antarctica, one of the most brutal environments on the planet, where temperatures can plunge to -40°F and even the fastest runners are humbled by snow, wind, and isolation.
He’s also mentioned plans to run 50 kilometers in Saudi Arabia, and hinted at other “extreme” efforts that aim to inspire the next generation and support causes close to his heart.
The goal is clear: keep pushing boundaries, just in a different arena.
“I want to do that extreme thing…and get partners to rally for a cause,” he told Olympics.com.
Still Hungry, Still Grateful
Even at 40, Kipchoge has trained through the highs and lows, and says he continues to find joy in pushing limits, regardless of age.
“To still push at my age is really good. I am showing people that age is just a number,” he said. “I am happy because my age still handles the training well. I am still training with the younger ones. That’s my happiness.”
Though he may never have achieved a world record on the track, one of his few career regrets, Kipchoge says he’s at peace with what he accomplished in the marathon.
“In the marathon, I did not miss anything.”
That’s an understatement.
Kipchoge’s legacy includes a staggering 26 marathon starts, 25 finishes, two Olympic golds, and four of the 10 fastest times in history. And, of course, the unforgettable 1:59:40 “moonshot” in Vienna, when he became the first person ever to run 26.2 miles in under two hours, albeit in unofficial conditions.
An Icon Steps Away, But Doesn’t Slow Down
Kipchoge’s pivot to purpose-driven endurance adventures may seem like a retirement, but it’s more of a reinvention. He’s laying the groundwork for an era of running that isn’t defined by podiums or medals, but by meaning.
If Antarctica is next, it’s not just about the cold or the distance. It’s about proving, once again, that the limits we believe exist are often just starting lines.
“Anybody who starts a marathon and finishes will not be the same, mentally,” Kipchoge said. “Pushing through that pain, the experience of running over a long time… it’s different.”
That mindset, tested on roads from Berlin to Boston, will now carry him to the ends of the Earth.
And perhaps, inspire a new generation of runners to do the same.
