Everyone needs a secret weapon, and Eliud Kipchoge is no different.
So don’t be surprised if the greatest men’s marathon runner of all time chows down on a full plate of bacon and eggs before his date with destiny on Sunday.
That’s because Kenyan great Kipchoge, who is running the London Marathon for the first time in five years, loves a Full English!
English breakfast ‘can fuel me ‘ – Kipchoge
Four-time winner Kipchoge said: “I like English food, I like English breakfast. I like total English breakfast – bacon, sausages, toasted bread, eggs. It can fuel me. When you are really fit enough, the food doesn’t always matter, providing it provides energy!”
Now 40, Kipchoge is not the runner he was when he won in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. This will also be his first race since Paris 2024, when he failed to finish for the first time in his career, dropping out after 19 miles with a back injury.
But he is still the only man to go under two hours, clocking a 1:59:40 in Vienna in a challenge orchestrated by INEOS, whose boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe he counts as a friend.
A new world record in London?
His time didn’t count as a world record as it was not run under race conditions, but Kipchoge, who is also running Sydney this year, reckons it won’t be long before someone manages it. Some even wonder if Jacob Kiplimo could manage it in London after setting a new half marathon world record.
He said: “I think it will happen sometime soon. I have shown them the way and I am expecting many people to go under two hours.”
Kipchoge faces stiff competition in London from last year’s winner Alex Mutiso and Olympic gold medallist Tamirat Tola. But the confident Kenyan still has his sights set on a record-extending fifth win in the capital.
He said: “Why not? Training has gone well and I am looking forward to putting what I have been doing for the last four months on the streets of London.
Kipchoge has woken up in 2025
“Last year actually was a tough year. But sport actually is built by challenges. Sport is built by dedication. Sport is built by patience. Last year was tough.
“But the proof of a good sport is how and when you wake up. And that’s why I am here. I have woken up from what happened last year and I’m ready to be on the road on Sunday.
“It is about doing the action. That is why I am running. I am still hungry to inspire somebody, somewhere, I am still hungry to motivate somebody, somewhere. I am happy to train every day for races like Sunday, to showcase to people this is what I do.”
