Exclusive - Eliud Kipchoge resumes training after Paris disappointment: 'I still want to run a few more marathons'
In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, the double Olympic champion shares his plans to continue running competitively and explains why he has no desire to take up coaching after he retires.
Athletics
The greatest marathoner of all time, Eliud Kipchoge is back and aiming high once again, although he has no specific goal in mind, for now.
The Kenyan athletics star took some time off following his disappointing race at Paris 2024, where he hoped to bag his third consecutive Olympic marathon gold, but ended up experiencing his ‘worst marathon.’
“It came as a surprise,” he tells Olympics.com, referring to his failure to finish the marathon won by Ethiopian Tamirat Tola.
“I will remember that Paris 2024 I participated, but I did not finish. Those are the memories which I'll remember out of it.”
Kipchoge resumed his disciplined training nearly six weeks after the run on 10 August, using the off-training period to reflect and adjust as he looks to forge ahead with his usual bold determination.
“I have resumed training for the last three weeks, but I'm taking it very slowly. I want to peak slowly, then try to move on slowly,” he said in the exclusive interview with Olympics.com from his home in Eldoret.
“I had to take time off to adjust. To see what's going on. Just pick up again and move on. It was tough. But I think I am going on well.”
Having raced in August it means Kipchoge, who is just shy of his 40th birthday, is most likely to return to the competitive marathon course by the spring of 2025.
“I still want to run a few more marathons,” the five time-time Olympian assured, but not on the Olympic stage again.
“All the stories have been about quitting when you are up. I want to sell a new story.
“Why don’t you just do other things and do it smoothly. Put your foot on another thing which is associated with running and still give inspiration and make the world united again through running,” he continued of his plans ‘to evolve and feature in other things’.
And when he does retire, the marathon icon believes he has more to give to the sport than going into coaching.
“I will do other things than become a coach. I don't think I will fit in coaching."
You can soon read the full interview on Olympics.com