Eliud Kipchoge is without a doubt the greatest marathoner in history.
Even if he hangs up his boots today, future generations will still study his accomplishments.
Eliud Kipchoge’s profile summary
Nationality: Kenyan
Birthdate: November 4, 1984
Gender: Male
Age: 38 years as of September 2023
Place of birth: Kapsiyiwa, Nandi County, Kenya
Current residence: Eldoret
Horoscope: Scorpio
Tribe: Kalenjin
Religion: Christian
High School: Kapitel Secondary School
Mother: Jane Rotich
Marital status: Married
Spouse: Grace
Children: Lynne, Griffin and Jordon
Height: 167 cm/5 feet 6 inches
Eliud Kipchoge biography
The most decorated marathoner on the planet was born on November 4, 1984, in Kapsisiywa, Nandi County, Kenya. He is 38 years old as of September 2023. The name of his mother is Jane Rotich.
Unfortunately, his father died when he was still a young boy.
“I’ve only seen pictures,” he said in a past interview.
The marathon icon was raised by a single mother who worked as a nursery school teacher. In a recent Netflix documentary, Kipchoge detailed how he and his siblings were disparaged for being raised by a single mother.
However, the icon says the disparagement only served to bolster his resolve to succeed.
Educational background
Running a marathon demands an intelligent mind more than anything else.
Most people who have met marathoner Eliud Kipchoge are impressed by his capacity for philosophical reflection on common issues.
Hearing Kipchoge talk gives the impression of a man who is not only self-aware but has also adopted his mind to overcome any obstacles in his path.
Eliud is the youngest of four children. He attended Kapitel Secondary School in Nandi County for his high school studies. He did not continue his education beyond high school since her mother could not afford the school fees.
Career
Eliud used to run to and from school during his school days until he became accustomed to running. They lived around 3.2 kilometres (two miles) away from the school.
He made his professional athletics debut in 2002, when he competed in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships as a long-distance runner.
The celebrated champion changed to marathon running in 2012. He set a course record to win the 2013 Hamburg Marathon in his first marathon.
Eliud currently holds the marathon world record with a time of 2:01:39. This record was established on September 16, 2018, at the Berlin Marathon. Eliud is also the first person to complete a marathon in under two hours.
In Vienna, he completed a 26.2-mile (42 km) run in a previously unthinkable 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds. Additionally, Kipchoge holds a record four victories at the London Marathon.
HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/qjLfofhL5s
— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) October 12, 2019
Kipchoge currently holds a total of four Olympic medals after winning bronze in 2004 and silver in the 5,000 m in 2008.
Here is a list of his accomplishments to date.
- 2002 World Cross Country Championships, Dublin, Ireland (5th position in the junior race)
- 2003 World Cross Country Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland (1st position in the junior race)
- 2003 World Championships, Paris, France (1st position, 5000 m)
- 2004 World Cross Country Championships, Brussels, Belgium (4th position, long race)
- 2004 Olympic Games, Athens, Greece (3rd position, 5000 m)
- 2005 World Cross Country Championships in Saint-Étienne, France (5th position long race)
- 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland (4th position, 5000 m)
- 2006 World Indoor Championships, Moscow, Russia (3rd position, 3000 m)
- 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan (2nd position, 5000 m)
- 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, China (2nd position, 5000 m)
- 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany (5th position, 5000 m)
- 2010 Commonwealth Games, New Delhi, India (2nd position, 5000 m)
- 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea (7th position, 5000 m)
- 2012 World Half Marathon Championships, Kavarna, Bulgaria (6th position half marathon)
- 2013 Hamburg Marathon (1st position)
- 2014 Rotterdam Marathon (1st position)
- 2015 London Marathon (1st position)
- 2015 Berlin Marathon (1st position)
- 2016 London Marathon (1st position)
- 2016 Olympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1st position, marathon)
- 2017 Berlin Marathon (1st position)
- 2018 London Marathon (1st position)
- 2019 London Marathon (1st position)
- 2020 London Marathon (7th position)
- 2021 Olympic Games, Sapporo, Japan (1st position, marathon)
- 2023 Berlin Marathon (1st position)
Training
Eliud trains in Kaptagat, where he stays in a dormitory with other athletes who camp together and train at the centre.
The camp was set up by Patrick Sang, a former Olympic silver medalist in the steeplechase. Athletes in the training camp have a strictly formal routine that they adhere to religiously.
Their focus is on running and honing their skills in the various games, including sprints, marathons, relays, and hurdles.
Sang met Kipchoge at one of them in 2001, when Kipchoge was 16.
“There was this kid who would come and ask me for a training programme,” Sang said in an interview recently.
“So every two weeks, I would give him a programme to follow, and this went on for months.”
Kipchoge is even more candid about their bond: “If I hadn’t met him, my life would be different.”
Marathoner Eliud Kipchoge during 2023 Berlin Marathon. Photo/courtesy
How old is Eliud Kipchoge now?
Kipchoge is 38 years old today, as of September 2023. He will be 39 years old on November 5, 2023.
When did Eliud Kipchoge start running?
The marathon icon started running as a pupil going to school.
Is Eliud Kipchoge a police officer?
Police and KDF-enlisted officers dominate both the short and long races.
However, Eliud Kipchoge is neither a police officer nor a soldier.
Eliud Kipchoge’s net worth
Eliud boasts a successful career in the long-distance category. He has amassed a significant amount of wealth over the course of his stellar career. So, how rich is Eliud Kipchoge in 2023? His net worth is estimated at $5 million.
The icon also receives a tidy amount every time he participates in long-distance races.
He has also built his net worth with the income he receives as a brand ambassador for brands such as Nike and Isuzu.
Some sports pundits predict that Eliud will have a net worth of over $10 million by the time he retires.
Is Eliud Kipchoge married?
He is a married man who finds great joy in family. His wife, Grace August, was at the finish line to hug the star after he successfully completed the INEOS challenge.
Eliud and his wife studied at the same school. The two dated for a year and later started living together after a traditional ceremony. They have lived together for more than 19 years.
Eliud Kipchoge’s children
Eliud and his wife are blessed with three children: two sons and a daughter. The names of their children are Lynne, Griffin and Jordon.
His wife takes care of the children since Eliud spends most of his time training at the camp and only returns home on weekends.
Eliud Kipchoge’s house
As a wealthy man, Eliud can afford to live in a luxurious mansion. His wife and three children live in a house located at the upmarket Elgon View Estate in Eldoret. The house is located only a few minutes’ drive from the training camp, where he spends most of his time.
Photo: X/Eliud Kipchoge
What books does Eliud Kipchoge read?
A voracious reader, Eliud Kipchoge enjoys everything from self-help books to sports biographies. His preferences include James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” and Stephen R. Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.”
Kipchoge always has a notebook on hand when reading so that he can take notes.
Eliud Kipchoge quotes
Eliud is a well-respected leader at his training base in Kaptagat and is known as “The Philosopher” for his carefully chosen statements.
He is always happy to share his knowledge with everyone there.
READ ALSO: Eliud Kipchoge Wins Berlin Marathon for the 5th Time
Furthermore, Kipchoge frequently uses powerful quotes in discussions with journalists that seem to sum up his discipline.
“Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions.”
And: “It’s not about the legs; it’s about the heart and the mind.”
And: “The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second-best time to plant a tree is today.”
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