Two-time Olympic marathon gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge had a disappointing stint at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon. Kipchoge finished in 10th place in 2:06:50, over four-and-a-half minutes behind the winner, Benson Kipruto. This capped the worst performance in his 11-year career on the road, at the same stage where he made history in 2020.

Following the Cairo Marathon from a couple of days earlier, the Tokyo event presented the athletes with another opportunity to highlight their mettle. While Kipchoge was poised to make the headlines, he did so under very different circumstances.

“Take the lessons of today,” Kipchoge reacts after Tokyo tumble

Kipchoge started off the run leading the pack. But after mile 12, Kipchoge began to fall back from the group. By the half-marathon mark, he was 12 seconds back, and after 18 miles, he was caught by the chasing pack. He eventually finished the race in 10th place, marking his worst finish in 20 career marathons. His previous lowest finish was eighth at London in 2020.

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The Kenyan’s iconic 2:01:09 finish at the 2022 Berlin Marathon made him a legendary name among his fans and his latest time would come as a surprise to those who were bracing up for another titillating performance. In the same year, he secured a victory in the 2022 Tokyo Marathon with a new course record of 2:02:40.

While Eliud is widely considered one of the greatest marathoners of all time thanks to his record-setting run from two years ago, his personal best remains an ever better one, despite not being acknowledged as an official record. The Ineos 1:59 Challenge saw Kipchoge become the first person in recorded history to finish a marathon in sub-two hours. Probably, that’s what made his fans believe that Kipchoge could briskly walk past any challenge thrown at him without breaking much of a sweat. However, that wasn’t the case, as he suffered a poor finish.

After the disappointing outing, Kipchoge admitted it was a bad day at the office and congratulated the winners on social media. “I can only say that sport is about good days and bad days. Unfortunately, today was a bad day for me. I want to congratulate all participants who reached the finish line, all pursuing their own goals and dreams.”

Kipchoge added, “Thank you, Tokyo, and to the fans around the world for all of your love and support! We take the lessons of today for the build-up of tomorrow.” The dismal Tokyo Marathon comes on the back of a mixed 2023 for Kipchoge as he looks to build momentum for the Paris Olympics.

Last year in April he finished in sixth place at the Boston Marathon, with a time of 2:09:23—the slowest time of his career. Five months later at the Berlin Marathon, however, Kipchoge re-found his form. Five months later he won the Berlin Marathon in a time of 2:02:42.

Even though Kipchoge failed to shine at the Tokyo Marathon, it was another Kenyan- Benson Kipruto who scripted history.

Benson Kipruto breaks Kipchoge’s record

The marathon saw 2021 Boston Marathon winner Benson Kipruto win with a timing of 2:02:16, thus bettering Kipchoge’s previous record by 24 seconds. Timothy Kiplagat finished second in 2:02:55, and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (2:04:18) took third.

With this win, two-time World Marathon Majors gold medalist Kipruto broke his own record of 2:04:24, which he achieved at the 2022 Chicago Marathon. The Tokyo win also means that Kipruto becomes the fifth all-time fastest marathon sprinter. Benson’s win came on the day that also saw other African athletes galore at the Asian metropolitan.

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But for Kipchoge the event will be a reminder that he needs to improve his game if he intends to become the first man to win three straight Olympic marathon gold medals.