by Eliud Kipchoge insists that he will only be convinced to retire when he sees the whole world lace their coaches.
The 40 -year -old Kenyan is the last renowned athlete announced to compete in the London Marathon of this year, an event he won a record four times in the category of elite men.
Kipchoge took a little time to reset after failing to finish a marathon for the first time in his career at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but now feels that he is ready to challenge the best in April.
When asked if his sixth attempt in London could be the cap in his career in the field of integrity, Kipchoge replied: “No. I will speak more when I have finished the marathon. Now, I focus on training, only on physical shape and my muscles to be ready for the starting line in London.
“I don’t like to mix certain things. I learn to put all my mind on the road, to put myself in mind to make sure that my muscles are lean and ready to fight the streets of London. And the rest will come.
Kipchoge won the gold of the Olympic marathon in Rio 2016 and postponed the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and 11 career victories at Abbott World Marathon Majors – The highest level in the world.
His four victories in London occurred during an undefeated section from 2015 to 2019 – Kipchoge jumped the 2017 edition – before an ear infection contributes to an eighth in 2020.
Kipchoge will take a difficult field, including the gold medalist Olympic Ethiopian Marathon Tamirat Tola and the title champion of the London marathon Alexander Munyao Munyao from Kenya.
Its British challengers include Emile Caress, bronze medalist of last year, which barely missed the podium in Paris, and the gold medalist of the Olympic triathlon Alex Yee, making its debut in competitive marathon.
“Yes, I still think I can compete,” said Kipchoge. “I train in the right direction and I can compete with the youngest. It’s a huge inspiration to see people at a younger age, train hard, the race in a difficult way.
“Overall, you should know that longevity is the key. There is no shortcut. If you want to be a real real professional runner, longevity should actually be in your bucket list. And that’s what I say to young people.
Asked when he retired, Kipchoge said only: “When you convince me that the world has become a world of running, I will retire. When four billion people run every day, I will retire. ”
Kipchoge hopes to share a meal or a coffee with Yee, 26, who appointed Kenyan as one of his heroes.
“I’m going to tell him what I think to run and why the race will really help the whole world,” said Kipchoge. “So I think that the discussion will in fact concern humanity, on the love of sport that works. I think it will be a pure discussion.
In 2019, Kipchoge became the first human to execute few hours at a marathon distance to 1: 59: 40.2, but the feat could not count as a world record because the event and The configuration have not been ratified by world athletics.
The official world record of 2:00:35 was established in 2023 by his compatriot Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who died in car accident last February.
Kipchoge got out of the 2028 Olympic Games, but says he plans to direct a kind of new experience, but said his lips were sealed until he crossed the finish line in London.
He added: “I will do something that brings a huge and huge impact before leaving.
“In Africa, we say that we are pursuing a rabbit at a time. This rabbit is on the road in front of me is London Marathon, which I purely put my whole mind, my heart, my energy is lit.
“After that, I will make a new announcement. Continue watching.
