At 40 years old, Eliud Kipchoge returned to the 2025 London Marathon not to prove he was still unbeatable, but to show he still belonged. His sixth-place finish in 2:05:25 won’t go down as one of his iconic performances, but it may prove to be one of his most important. In a race that oscillated between nostalgia and inevitability, Kipchoge held on just long enough to keep the conversation going—not about whether he’s still the GOAT, but about what that status means in the twilight of a career that continues to defy logic and expectation.
🟩 Performance Grade: B (But a Generous One)
Eliud Kipchoge’s sixth-place finish at the 2025 London Marathon, clocking 2:05:25, wasn’t the stuff of legend. But it wasn’t a collapse either. The 40-year-old Kenyan was in contention through 30K, leading briefly at the 15K mark, and showing flashes of his former dominance.
The turning point came post-bottle station, where Kenyan Sebastian Sawe surged with a 4:18 mile—effectively blowing up the lead pack. Kipchoge, caught mid-sip of his bottle, couldn’t respond. He dropped back but regrouped, climbing from eighth to sixth by the finish line.
A positive split of 2 minutes and 23 seconds isn’t catastrophic—but for Kipchoge, it’s notable. His legacy includes positive-split world records, but never this wide a gap. Still, given his age and recent trajectory, a “B” feels generous. Kipchoge might grade himself lower. The consensus: he still expected to win.
🟧 Overreaction, Underreaction, Correct Reaction
Overreaction: Kipchoge’s career is over.
Underreaction: A sixth-place finish is no big deal.
Correct Reaction: This was a bridge performance.
London was a necessary bounce-back after a brutal 2024: 10th in Tokyo, a DNF at the Paris Olympic Marathon. But it wasn’t a comeback in the classic sense. It was steady, strategic damage control.
The signs of age are real—but so is Kipchoge’s fire. He led early, remained focused, and didn’t unravel completely after getting dropped. That’s not the final chapter. It’s the prelude to a potential final act.
🔥 One Burning Question: Is Kipchoge Still the GOAT?
Yes. Unequivocally, yes.
The numbers speak loudly: 21 marathons, 15 wins, 17 podiums, and two world records. An average finishing time of 2:04:35. And perhaps most important—he dominated during both the pre- and post-super shoe eras.
Critics will argue that a fading Kipchoge risks tarnishing his legacy by sticking around too long. But as Alex pointed out, this isn’t boxing—where punch-drunk legends take one bout too many. In distance running, longevity adds depth. Prefontaine and Kiptum left too soon; Kipchoge’s story is still being written.
📈 Kipchoge’s Recent Trajectory: A Marathon of Peaks and Valleys
- 2023 Boston Marathon: Sixth in 2:09:23 – a humbling debut on one of the world’s toughest courses.
- 2023 Berlin Marathon: Redemption with a 2:02:42 victory.
- 2024 Tokyo Marathon: A career-worst 10th in 2:06:50.
- 2024 Paris Olympics: Did Not Finish—his lowest moment.
- 2025 London Marathon: Sixth in 2:05:25. A recalibration.
From DNF to a top-six finish in London, Kipchoge proved he still belongs at the front—if not always on the top step of the podium.
📅 What’s Next? All Eyes on Sydney
Kipchoge is already confirmed for the Sydney Marathon on Aug. 31. The race will debut as a World Marathon Major in 2025, and Kipchoge, a global ambassador for the series, is perfectly positioned to headline.
Sydney could be a soft target. Its course is hilly, but the field might lack depth due to the timing of the World Championships in Tokyo. That sets up the potential for Kipchoge to seize a statement win—especially if, as speculated, the course record reverts to a slower mark after a doping suspension.
Could he double up with New York in November? Possibly. The timeline is tight, but a win in Sydney and a final push in Central Park could allow Kipchoge to check off all seven majors.
🧠 Beyond the Finish Line: What Does Kipchoge’s Legacy Look Like?
Nike considers him one of their “pillar athletes”—up there with Jordan, LeBron and Tiger. But will that translate once he retires?
Kipchoge’s mystique is real. There’s an aura when he enters a press room, still in his singlet and super shoes. But he doesn’t chase the spotlight. He lives simply, trains in a Spartan environment, and resists the full-on brand ambassador transformation we’ve seen with other legends.
Will he fade quietly into coaching, philanthropy, or spiritual reflection? Or will he go on a global victory tour?
As Alex said, athletes rarely get a storybook ending. Most hang on too long. But if anyone can script a dignified final chapter—possibly even win another major—it’s Kipchoge.
💬 Final Word
The 2025 London Marathon wasn’t about winning. It was about proving there’s still something left in the tank. And with Sydney on deck and New York looming, Kipchoge’s next few races may determine how his career truly ends.
But no matter what happens next, the legacy is secure. The GOAT remains the GOAT.
