Eliud Kipchoge’s bid for a record-extending fifth London Marathon title on Sunday, April 27, fell short, but his performance once again captured the admiration of the world.
At 40 years old, Kipchoge recorded his best finish since winning the 2023 Berlin Marathon, crossing the line in 2:05:25 to finish sixth. He followed behind Sabastian Sawe, Jacob Kiplimo, Alexander Mutiso, Abdi Nageeye, and Tamirat Tola — the athlete who dethroned him as Olympic champion.
Kipchoge ran a strong race in the first 30 kilometers, keeping pace with the lead group. However, when Sawe made a decisive breakaway, Kipchoge, along with the rest of the field, struggled to keep up. Despite falling back, Kipchoge displayed remarkable resilience, climbing from eighth to sixth place in the final stages of the race.
“I feel good. I’m happy. That’s the language of sport — sometimes this is the outcome,” Kipchoge said with a smile after the race. “I’m competing with my values, running with the values of sport and humanity’s competition. I have nothing to prove, but I will always fight to win.”
The double Olympic champion also emphasized his enduring mission to inspire.
“The London Marathon speaks the language of the Olympic spirit, and that’s why I’m here — to inspire the next generation and unite everyone. Where there is running, there is freedom. If you want freedom, go running,” Kipchoge stated.
Prize Money Details
As with previous years, the London Marathon offered equal prize money across all categories, including the wheelchair races. Winners took home $55,000, while those finishing in 12th place earned $1,000.
For his sixth-place finish, Kipchoge received $7,500 (approximately KSh970,500). In addition, elite athletes like Kipchoge often receive appearance fees. According to The Mirror, top athletes can earn up to $150,000 (around KSh19.4 million) just for participating.
