Eliud Kipchoge in Deep Waters as Sydney Marathon Setback Showcases Career Trouble

“It was not my day today. Above all, I have crossed the finish line to empower the people of Australia.” With those words, Eliud Kipchoge offered a candid reflection after finishing ninth at the Sydney Marathon, his first race on Australian soil. The 40-year-old Kenyan, who has defined the modern marathon for two decades, was unable to summon the dominance that once made him untouchable. Instead, he reached the line in 2:08:31, greeted with applause by thousands at the Opera House, yet well adrift of the leaders.

The race marked the second time in 2025 that Kipchoge had fallen short of expectations. Earlier in April, he placed sixth in London with 2:05:25, far from the form that had brought him four victories there between 2015 and 2019. Before Sydney, he spoke of his affection for the British capital, saying, “My favourite thing about London is the crowd. That’s what makes my mind go crazy when I think of London.” Despite that connection, his performance showed that the rhythm of his career has shifted.

The larger picture is that Kipchoge has not stood atop a marathon podium in nearly two years. His last victory came at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Since then, his record reads tenth in Tokyo in March 2024, a ‘Did Not Finish’ at the Paris Olympic Marathon in August 2024, sixth in London in April 2025, and now ninth in Sydney. For an athlete who once won ten straight marathons between 2014 and 2019, the contrast is stark. The Sydney result was his 23rd career marathon, with 16 victories overall and 11 in World Marathon Majors, yet none since Berlin.

Still, the Kenyan remains philosophical about the downturn. After crossing the line in Sydney, he told reporters, “I’m happy to go across the finish line. I have nothing to prove. My mission is to bring all the people together. Let us surpass 55,000, actually, next year to run here. It’s a beautiful course. It’s a course whereby there is no other in this world.” His words suggest that his priorities have broadened, with a focus on legacy and participation alongside competition.

Kipchoge’s career remains singular in scope. He has four Olympic medals, two marathon golds from Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2021, and earlier silver and bronze over 5,000 meters in 2004 and 2008. He was the first man to complete a marathon under two hours, clocking 1:59:40 in an unofficial event in Vienna in 2019. Sixteen victories from 22 starts once illustrated unmatched consistency. Yet the current stretch has underscored the demands of age and a deeper pool of rivals, with Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros and Sifan Hassan among those seizing the spotlight in Sydney.

Even in decline, Kipchoge retains the aura of a pioneer. He once described marathon running as “a metaphor for life,” requiring patience, resilience, and trust in preparation. That philosophy remains intact, even as his results suggest a transition phase. Whether or not he claims another win, his presence still defines the sport. The cheers that followed him in Sydney, despite finishing ninth, confirmed that the respect for his contribution endures, even in the absence of victory. However, despite the setbacks, Kipchoge has embraced his new role as Kenya’s Olympic Committee athlete representative, aiming to mentor competitors across all sports.

Eliud Kipchoge embraces new role to mentor athletes beyond the marathon

Eliud Kipchoge had stepped into a new chapter, exchanging the roar of the marathon course for the weight of representation within Kenya’s Olympic Committee. Having been elected unopposed as the Male Athletes Representative, the celebrated runner embraced the position with evident conviction, seeing it as an extension of his lifelong pursuit of discipline and purpose. “This is a huge chance for me to extend my mentorship outside of running to rugby, football, judo, boxing, and softball,” he explained, emphasising his belief that leadership must serve beyond one’s own discipline.

What set this transition apart was Kipchoge’s deliberate embrace of responsibility. His intention was not merely to hold a title, but to act as a bridge between athletes and decision-makers. “I want to get a chance to talk to the athletes of as many federations as possible,” he remarked, underscoring his desire to hear the concerns of younger competitors and give voice to their ambitions. It was a role that demanded listening as much as guiding, and Kipchoge’s measured tone revealed his understanding of the balance.

For an individual who had defined endurance on the road, the boardroom presented a different kind of test. He was determined to apply the same values that had carried him through decades of running. Speaking of the broader impact of sport, he stated, “We need to empower all our sportsmen and sportswomen across all sports to appreciate and understand that sports are an opportunity to make a living.” In his view, the future of Kenyan athletics rested not only in medals but in the ability of sport to sustain lives and communities.

Kipchoge’s new position thus marked more than a ceremonial appointment. It represented his effort to ensure that the discipline and resilience that defined his career could guide the next generation, across fields far removed from the marathon’s path.