The 2025 London Marathon was full of surprises, to say the least. On one hand, we had the women dish out a new world record. Courtesy? Tigst Aseefa. Meanwhile, for the men’s race, it was full of twists. After all, despite everyone expecting him to win, one track and field veteran failed to crack even the top five. But on the other side of the spectrum, we saw a new champ, as Kenyan Sebastian Sawe just got his debut win. But what about the track legend? What did he have to say? After all, everyone still expects his dominance.
But who wouldn’t? The man in question is none other than Eliud Kipchoge. A two-time Olympic champ, the Kenyan was pretty stoked for his 22nd marathon. But the veteran could only manage a humble 6th finish. On the other hand, a 29-year-old, Sebastian Sawe, was able to hold off a stacked track and field lineup featuring Kipchoge, Jacob Kiplimo—the half-marathon world record holder—and Tamirat Tola, the Paris Olympic champ.
Can you imagine, this was just Sawe’s second marathon in his life? But if you think this is the most impressive thing that happened today, wait till you see Kipchoge’s reaction to his loss. Speaking to Citius Mag after the April 27 London Marathon, Eliud Kipchoge reacted to losing out to a rising star who is still budding in the field yet smoked the pros all at once.
When asked, “What do you think of the winner’s performance today?” Kipchoge, without the faintest expression of dismay, said, “Actually, I’m happy with them. These are the young generation. These are young people,” he said. While few may find it surprising, it was an example of Kipchoge holding the sports spirit at its highest!
The track and field veteran then pulled out some wise words from his bag as Kipchoge gave it a philosophical twist: “You know life should continue and continue and continue. And I’m happy to see.” He then explained that at this juncture in his career, he’s still able to move with the next generation. “You know I am old enough. This is my 22nd year of running. And you know these guys are younger than my profession. So I’m the youngest man with the youngest guys.”
Well, Eliud Kipchoge’s optimism and spirit are truly admirable. Even though he has had some setbacks lately. Last year, at the Paris Olympics, Kipchoge got his first-ever did not finish tag. And now, he faces a serious London Marathon setback. How, you ask? Well, when it comes to this event, Kipchoge had some bittersweet history.
Track and field veteran Kipchoge has a bittersweet London history
Yes. It is rather bittersweet. No other man, we repeat, none ever has won the London Marathon 4 times before. Eliud Kipchoge is the only one to do it a record 4 times out of his 6 attempts now. But, both times, he has missed a rather historic mark. The track and field veteran first triumphed on the London Marathon course in 2015. Next year, the Kenyan shone again, two years on the trot now.
But in 2017, when it was time for him to replicate Dionicio Cerón’s London Marathon three-peat history, he fumbled. However, marathons are all about going on. So in 2018, Eliud Kipchoge probably returned to the course with the same mentality. And guess what? He won! That’s how the third victory was won. But the historic win came in 2019, when Kipchoge clocked 2:02.37 to win it for a record fourth time while setting a legendary course record too.
He now stood at the same crossroads as he did in 2017. A possible three-peat chance lay ahead of him once again. But in 2020? Shura Kitata Tola crushed his plans. So yes, the track and field veteran Kipchoge has missed two three-peat chances in London. Yet, in his sixth attempt, he could only be happy for a youngling who took it home. That’s the sign of a legend, after all!
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