Eliud Kipchoge Eyes Sydney Marathon Glory as Race Joins World Marathon Majors

Posted : 28 August 2025

Eliud Kipchoge says his biggest motivation for running this weekend’s Sydney Marathon is to inspire people, even as he admits there is “huge pressure” on him to win. The 40-year-old Kenyan, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner in history, will headline the event on Sunday as it takes its place for the first time among the prestigious World Marathon Majors—joining London, New York, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, and Tokyo.

A two-time Olympic champion and 11-time major winner, Kipchoge said the decision to race in Sydney was about more than chasing another victory. “It’s a huge pressure for me to win the race, but there’s more pressure to inspire people to take up running,” he told Olympics.com. “I want to show Australians and the wider world what running can bring and also demonstrate longevity in marathon running.”

Kipchoge’s career came under scrutiny last summer when he failed to finish the Olympic marathon in Paris—the first time he had ever dropped out of the distance. However, he bounced back at the London Marathon in April, where he placed sixth, and insists he remains focused on extending his legacy rather than silencing critics. “I have nothing more to prove to the world,” he said. “For me, it’s about consistency and patience, and showing younger athletes that experience builds over time.”

Joining him on the start line will be a stacked field, including fellow Kenyan Vincent Ngetich, who has never finished outside the top four in a major, and Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese, a two-time Tokyo Marathon champion. The women’s competition is equally strong, led by reigning Olympic gold medallist Sifan Hassan and five-time major winner Brigid Kosgei.

Last year, Brimin Misoi of Kenya and Workenesh Edesa Gurmesa of Ethiopia smashed the Sydney course records in the men’s and women’s races respectively, setting the stage for a high-quality contest as the event makes its major debut.

Meanwhile, Sifan Hassan confirmed that her decision to run in Sydney means she will skip next month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The Dutch star, who claimed the Olympic marathon crown in Paris and owns six world championship medals, said the recovery window was too short between the two events. “It was a hard decision,” Hassan admitted. “I’ve never missed a world championship since 2015, but my heart told me to come here.”

The Sydney Marathon takes place on Sunday, marking its first year as part of the World Marathon Majors and attracting some of the sport’s biggest names.

Eliud Kipchoge Eyes Sydney Marathon Glory as Race Joins World Marathon Majors

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