All the speculation beforehand had suggested that the New York City Marathon would be the GOAT Eliud Kipchoge‘s farewell over 26.2 miles.
He has won pretty much every title that matters over the distance, including two Olympic titles.
The 40-year-old Kenyan athlete, who won his first Abbott World Marathon Major at the 2014 Chicago Marathon, went on to win 10 additional titles, with five at Berlin, four in London, and one in Tokyo.
And then in 2019 he achieved what many thought was impossible, running 1:59:40 in Vienna as part of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge.
In his first appearance in New York on Sunday – to complete all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors – he crossed the line in 17th in 2:14:36 having been in the front group for the first half of the race.
The ‘gospel of running’
But not long afterwards he had a big announcement to make about what the immediate future holds in store for him – seven marathons on seven continents over the next two years.
He has called it the “Eliud Kipchoge World Tour,” and he will use the platform to spread the “gospel of running” while raising funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which supports education and environmental causes.
Speaking on his Instagram page, he explained: “With this World Tour, I want to compete not only for records, but for the people. I want to continue to push myself to run at my best but I also want to inspire, give back, and remind everyone that no human is limited in every corner of the world. I believe that we can all come together and become a better world.
“A running world is a happy world.
“Ever since I was a little boy I fell in love with the feeling of freedom that running gave me. Watching the champions who came before me made me dream of inspiring the world myself one day. I was determined to break through the barriers to prove that limits don’t exist.
“I have dreamed about running the biggest marathons of the world but now I am about to start my biggest adventure yet. A new dream. Seven marathons on all seven continents, together with you! Join me on this adventure. Because together we make this world a running world.”
‘A next chapter surrounded by his fans’
The website ‘Eliud’s Running World’ will soon feature more details in terms of dates and locations for the marathons in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
But for now it says: “Eliud will visit every corner of the world to race a marathon.
“While continuing to push himself Eliud also aims to bringing together the running community and come together for a better world.
“This is a world tour like no other. A next chapter surrounded by his fans. Leaving a global footprint and a continuing legacy that spans the earth.”
The aim is to raise $1million USD for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation in support of education and environmental causes worldwide. Each continent’s event will also support local projects tied to the foundation’s mission. From building libraries and supporting schools in Kenya and beyond to fostering environmental restoration worldwide.
