SYDNEY, Australia — Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge will return to road-running for the first time in seven months this Sunday, as he competes in the Sydney Marathon in Australia.
The Sydney Marathon was recently elevated to a World Marathon Majors race, joining a prestigious group that now includes seven elite events.
The Sydney Marathon now stands alongside the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York Marathons.
Kipchoge, who trains in Kaptagat, Elgeyo Marakwet County, under the Global Sports Communications, has expressed his excitement not only to compete in Sydney but also at the prospect of seeing kangaroos, which Australia is known for.
Ahead of the race, Kipchoge admitted that he faces a lot of pressure to perform well in Sydney, but he is focused on his broader goal of encouraging young athletes globally to embrace running.
“I have never stepped in Australia and apart from competing, I hope to inspire more athletes from that country to embrace running. Never stop chasing your dreams. My goal is to make the world a place of running… there are a lot of Kenyans based in Australia and they have been sending me messages of goodwill ahead of Sunday’s race, which warms my heart,” Kipchoge said.
For Kipchoge, who has been in athletics for over 22 years, Sunday’s race is another opportunity to motivate the next generation. “I’m a believer in team work. We should always aim to motivate others through good performances in whatever we do. I’m in Australia to make it a running nation, and a better place to live in by competing with the world,” said Kipchoge.
He praised the organizers of the Abbott World Marathon Majors for giving Australia a chance to host a major race, which will open new pathways for athletes to run and earn a living.
Kipchoge’s season began with a sixth-place finish in the London Marathon on April 27. He has a storied history in that race, winning it four times (in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019). He has also competed in the Tokyo Marathon twice, winning in 2022 and finishing 10th in the 2024 edition. His sole appearance at the Boston Marathon was in 2023, where he finished sixth. His most successful race, however, is the Berlin Marathon, which he has run six times, breaking the world record there twice—in 2018 (2:01:39) and in 2022 (2:01:09).
In Sydney, Kipchoge will be competing against several of his fellow Kenyans, including Bernard Koech (2:04:09), Kenneth Kipkemoi (2:04:52), Cornelius Kiplagat (2:04:54), his training partner Laban Korir (2:05:41), Victor Kipchirchir (2:05:43), Edward Cheserek (2:05:43), and Felix Kirwa (2:05:44).
The race is scheduled to kick off on Saturday at 11:30 PM Kenyan time.
