Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge EGH (born 5 November 1984) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in the marathon and formerly in the 5000 metres. He is widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time. He is the 2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon champion, and he held the marathon world record from 2018 to 2023 with a time of 2:01:09 set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon, which he later improved to 2:01:09. His previous world record was 2:01:39 at the 2018 Berlin Marathon.

Kipchoge gained global fame for the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna in October 2019, where he became the first human in history to run a marathon distance in under two hours, clocking 1:59:40. Although this achievement was not recognized as an official world record due to rotating pacemakers and open fluid handling, it stands as one of the most significant milestones in human athletic history.

Born in Kapsisiywa, Nandi County, Kipchoge ran 3 kilometers (2 miles) daily to school. He started his career as a track runner, winning the 5000 metres world title at the 2003 World Championships in Paris at the age of 18, defeating greats like Hicham El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele. He went on to win Olympic bronze in 2004 and silver in 2008 in the 5000m.

Transitioning to road running in 2012, he made the second-fastest half marathon debut ever (59:25). He won his marathon debut at the 2013 Hamburg Marathon in a course record time. Since then, he has dominated the marathon distance, winning 15 out of his first 18 marathons, including four London Marathons and four Berlin Marathons.

Kipchoge lives and trains in Kaptagat, Kenya, with a simple lifestyle despite his success. He is known for his philosophical approach to running, discipline, and the popularization of the mantra 'No Human is Limited'.