What Happened to Eliud Kipchoge During His Boston Marathon Debut?

In a surprising turn of events, Eliud Kipchoge faced unexpected challenges during his highly anticipated debut at the Boston Marathon. He is a renowned long-distance runner. After finishing sixth in his debut Boston Marathon, Eliud Kipchoge took time to respond to questions. 

During Mile 18, the 38-year-old marathon world record holder fell behind Gabriel Geay. By Mile 21, he had slipped to the rear and was behind the race leaders. This was unusual for him, as he had only lost two of his previous 17 marathons. Kipchoge’s debut at the Boston Marathon faced unexpected challenges, raising questions about elite distance running.

Eliud Kipchoge: Boston Marathon debut among the toughest moments yet

Eliud Kipchoge, widely known as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time, made his debut at the Boston Marathon, an event known for its challenging course and prestigious history. Then-record holder, six months back, ran and cleared the field in Berlin. Last year the Boston Marathon course had other plans for him, a leg complaint, and bad weather condition dragged him to sixth place in 2:09:23, marking the hardest moments in the marathon world record holder’s career. The moment he finished the race, he said he was disappointed with the race finish. Kipchoge acknowledged to the reporters saying, “That’s where the problem is, I tried to do what was necessary, but it was not working.”  

He further said the reason for his fall, “It’s a challenge and what has happened has happened, we have no control and life continues”. Having faced the issue mid-race, he simply said, “put my mind just to run at a comfortable pace to finish”. He started the race with a positive mindset and “happy mood” but encountered difficulties in the latter stages. Around the 18-mile mark, his energy dropped, and his upper left leg began to bother him, although he hadn’t disclosed the severity of the injury or whether it still affects him. 

The Kenyan runner is anything but a quitter

The Kenyan runner is renowned for his extraordinary determination and resilience, epitomizing the spirit of perseverance and tenacity. Kipchoge acknowledged that he had considered dropping out when asked about his leg issue during the race that, “a lot of talking was going on in my mind. But I said, ‘Hey, I can’t quit.’ They say it’s important to win, but it’s great to participate and finish.” Regarding his next steps, Kipchoge plans to take time to reflect and prioritize recovery, both mentally and physically, in the short term. Kipchoge received overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans, marathon sponsors, management, and the running community at large even after losing the match.

Despite his tough debut in Boston, Kipchoge is open to returning, saying he’d “absolutely” consider it. However, 2024 might not work due to his focus on the Paris Olympics 2024, which align closely with Boston’s April schedule. He released a statement congratulating Evans Chebet, the race winner. He mentioned the positive feedback was a huge motivation, indicating that he was on the right track and acknowledging life’s ups and downs. He also expressed confidence in bouncing back from the setback.