Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge, born on November 5, 1984, is a renowned Kenyan long-distance runner celebrated for his exceptional prowess in the marathon. Initially specializing in the 5000 meters, Kipchoge transitioned to marathon running in 2012, where he quickly made his mark by winning the Hamburg Marathon in 2013 with a course record. His remarkable journey in the marathon has seen him claim the title of Olympic champion in both 2016 and 2020, solidifying his status as one of the greatest marathon runners in history.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kipchoge has achieved numerous accolades, including being a five-time World Marathon Major champion and holding the record for the most wins at the Berlin Marathon, with five victories. He has also triumphed at the London Marathon four times, showcasing his dominance in the sport. Kipchoge's marathon record-breaking performances include running the distance in an astonishing time of one hour, fifty-nine minutes, and forty seconds during the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in 2019, making him the first person to complete a marathon in under two hours, although this run did not count as an official record.

His competitive spirit has led him to run four of the ten fastest marathons in history, and he held the world record from 2018 until 2023, when it was surpassed by Kelvin Kiptum. Kipchoge's only losses in his first eighteen marathons were few, with notable finishes including a second place at the 2013 Berlin Marathon and an eighth place at the 2020 London Marathon. Despite facing challenges in recent races, his legacy remains intact as a symbol of excellence in athletics.

In recognition of his extraordinary achievements, Kipchoge was appointed Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2019 and was named the BBC World Sport Star of the Year the same year. His contributions to sports were further acknowledged in 2023 when he received the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award in the category of Sports.