Eliud Kipchoge reflects on his future after experiencing his first career DNF (Did Not Finish) in a recent marathon. Returning for his second race of the season at Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, Kipchoge appeared confident and relaxed, engaging in fist bumps with fellow competitors, including his longtime rival Kenenisa Bekele.
Determined to reclaim his position at the top of the marathon world or secure a spot on the Olympic podium for a fourth time in his fifth Olympic appearance, Kipchoge’s last race in Berlin last September resulted in a remarkable time of 2:02.42, making him the first man to finish a marathon in under two hours and three minutes. However, that record was soon surpassed by Kelvin Kiptum, who set a new benchmark of 2 hours and 35 seconds.
The weather conditions on race day were favorable at 19 degrees Celsius and moderate humidity. Kipchoge had shown his tenacity in high heat during the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, and this time he came prepared with a cooling headband aimed at enhancing his performance under warmer conditions.
Approaching his 40th birthday, Kipchoge was eager for another highlight in his illustrious marathon career. He kept close to the leading pack until the 15-kilometer mark, but then he began to show signs of struggle, holding his waist—a troubling indication that something was wrong for the defending Olympic champion.
As he fell behind, Swiss runner Tadese Abraham slowed to check on him, confirming Kipchoge’s discomfort. “My waist was a little bit painful. It was a sharp pain,” Kipchoge shared with Olympics.com, explaining that it hindered his ability to continue racing. “It’s difficult for you to train for more than four months and then get a pain that can stop you.”
As the pain worsened, Kipchoge was forced to make the tough decision to withdraw from the race about 12 kilometers from the finish line, marking an unprecedented moment in his career where he would not complete a race. Prior to this, his worst marathon finish had been a 10th place at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon.