Kindiki: Eliud Kipchoge’s retirement leaves behind talented youngsters
By Joel Masibo, November 3, 2025Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has described former world Marathon record-holder Eliud Kipchoge’s retirement from long-distance races as a testament to Kenya’s full supply of athletes to step into the marathoner’s shoes.
Taking to his social media pages on Monday morning, November 3, 2025, Kindiki expressed optimism in the young crop of marathoners that Eliud Kipchoge has left behind, shortly after participating in the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
The 40-year-old lined up in New York with one clear goal: to cross the finish line and complete his journey across the world’s biggest marathons. Kipchoge later made history by finishing 17th in the historic race, before calling it quits memorably.
Kipchoge debuted at his first New York City Marathon, which he has hinted will be his last World Marathon Major race, in 17th place, 6:27 minutes behind compatriot and race winner Benson Kipruto. Running this World Marathon Major for the first time in his career, Eliud Kipchoge crossed the finish line in Central Park in a time of 02:14:36 to complete his quest for the Seven Star Hall of Fame.
Before hitting the streets of New York City on Sunday, Kipchoge said finishing the race will make him feel like a complete athlete.
“I believe that when I get a seven-star medal, I will be a real marathoner. By running all the major marathons. My happiness is seeing people actually get interested in me and what I’m actually selling; I’m selling the sport, I’m selling the sport as a movement, and that’s what people are buying.”Eliud Kipchoge said.
The Sunday’s race in the United States of America was also the first time Kenyan marathon legend opted to race three marathon majors in one year. On August 31, he finished the 2025 Sydney Marathon in 9th place with a time of 2:08:31.
After his personal achievement, the DP has noted that Eliud Kipchoge has left the country in safe hands in matters of marathon. ”As the great Eliud Kipchoge retires from his stellar marathon career, he leaves behind a galaxy of young stars, men and women, who will take Kenya’s dominance in athletics into the future. The evidence of this was manifest in the New York Marathon yesterday,” Kithure Kindiki said.
Benson Kipruto beat Alexander Mutiso to claim the men’s New York City Marathon in 2:08:09 on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Kenya also dominated the women’s race with Hellen Obiri winning in a course record 2:19:51.