Renowned marathoner Eliud Kipchoge has set his sights on a remarkable achievement: conquering every World Marathon Major. Among the six majors, he has triumphed in four—Tokyo, London, Berlin, and Chicago. Surprisingly, Kipchoge has recently opted out of pursuing victories in the remaining two: Boston and New York, races known for their challenging terrains and absence of pacers. Eliud currently wears Nike shoes, but for more of a range of marathon shoes look at all brands,
Last year, Kipchoge faced a setback in Boston, finishing 6th, prompting him to skip New York and return to familiar ground in Berlin, where he clinched an unprecedented fifth win in a record time of 2:02:42. His decision-making has been steered by a singular goal—to become the first athlete to secure three consecutive Olympic marathon gold medals in Paris next year. This objective has dictated every move, starting with his preference for Berlin over New York to regain momentum after the Boston race.
Kipchoge’s agent, Valentijn Trouw, emphasized the importance of timing in Kipchoge’s choices. Opting for Berlin instead of New York allowed Kipchoge an extended preparation period, vital as attempting New York would have meant running three marathons in 40 weeks, uncharted territory for him. This strategic move offered him an additional six weeks to gear up for future challenges.
The reasoning behind Kipchoge’s choice of Tokyo over Boston in 2024 becomes clearer considering his prior experience and the less demanding course in Tokyo, compared to the physically taxing Boston track where Kipchoge faced a leg injury at the 30k mark. Tokyo also grants him 23 weeks of preparation time for the Olympics, a more comfortable window compared to the shorter 17-week gap after Boston.
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Despite Kipchoge’s success in tight turnarounds in the past, winning the Olympics soon after competing in marathons in London and Enschede, his recent decisions underscore the significance of strategic timing over course profiles. This is evident in his preference for Tokyo over London, despite the latter offering higher appearance fees and Kipchoge’s affinity for the course.
Debates arise regarding which achievement would cement Kipchoge’s legacy—securing a third Olympic gold or triumphing in Boston and New York to complete his World Marathon Majors collection. While joining Usain Bolt in the elite league of athletes with three consecutive Olympic golds is monumental, victories in Boston and New York would showcase Kipchoge’s versatility across varied terrains, solidifying his legacy as an all-encompassing marathon champion.
The marathon world is abuzz with speculation about Kipchoge’s future choices—whether he might consider competing in New York next fall or wait until 2025 for a shot at Boston or New York. What remains indisputable is Kipchoge’s relentless pursuit of greatness, each decision contributing to an illustrious career that transcends boundaries and continues to redefine the sport’s possibilities.
