With two decades of excellence in track and field, Eliud Kipchoge finally crossed the finish line of a World Marathon Major for the last time in New York on November 2. Securing his seventh star, the legendary marathoner ended his elite career with a 17th-place finish at the NYC Marathon, just shy of the podium. Missing out on the podium, however, was hardly a concern. Kipchoge was met with a heartwarming reception from a devoted fan, and amidst the cheers, the Kenyan legend shared a life lesson that resonated far beyond the race.

As Kipchoge thundered through the city streets, his biggest fan, Max McKone, waited for even a fleeting glimpse of the legend. In a video shared by Citus Mag, Max could be seen tearing up as Eliud Kipchoge ran past him. But the surprises didn’t end there. After seeing the clip, Kipchoge’s team arranged a personal meet at the athlete’s accommodation. During their heartfelt encounter, Max could barely contain his joy as he congratulated Kipchoge on his final run, only to be met with words of motivation that would stay with him forever.

When Max said, “No human is limited,” pointing towards Kipchoge, the athlete replied, “We are trying to tell everybody: please don’t be limited. Whether you are walking, running, a regular basketball player, footballer, or driver, don’t be limited—push your limits, because that’s what life needs.” Dreams! That’s the only thing one needs to surpass the capabilities of the human barrier. Eliud Kipchoge was only a child when he began running long distances, chasing the feeling of freedom.

From jogging to school to standing on the Olympic podium, he clinched bronze at the 2004 Athens Games at just 20. And thus began the best chapter of his life. Ending his elite career, Eliud Kipchoge’s New York City debut lived up to every expectation. He began his marathon journey in 2012 at the Hamburg Marathon, claiming victory with a stunning 2:05:30 and immediately announcing himself as a world-class talent.

Over the years, he conquered Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, and Chicago, collecting medals across the globe. New York was his final stop, the seventh star on his marathon crown. Clocking 2:14:36, he finished 17th, marking the end of his elite career. Well, he might be done with competitive running, but that doesn’t mean that he has left the sport.

“Biggest Adventure Yet,” Eliud Kipchoge on his future endeavors

Kipchoge isn’t stepping back from elite competition, but now his focus goes beyond records. After 20 years of breaking barriers, he’s set on honoring the sport and creating unforgettable moments with his fans. Ahead of the New York Marathon, the athlete took to his Instagram handle to write, “I have dreamed about running the biggest marathon in the world, but I’m about to start my biggest adventure yet — a new dream: seven marathons on all seven continents.”

According to his manager, Valentijn Trouw, Kipchoge still intends to line up with the elites, but this time, he has a mission with him. Kipchoge aims to conquer all seven continents in the next two years, including Antarctica. “I will run in Antarctica!” he declared confidently to the Olympics. “I want to take on something extreme that pushes me to my limits…” He further added, “I will run even 50 kilometres in Saudi Arabia. I want to do that extreme thing that can make somebody work hard and also get partners (sponsors) to rally for a cause.”

With a mission in mind, the Kenyan marathon legend aims to leave his mark on the sport, not through speed, but through intent. Whether he will succeed remains to be seen.