Eliud Kipchoge Claps Back at Critics Over Claims of Pushing Himself Too Hard

Eliud Kipchoge has clapped back at critics who believe he is pushing himself too far and should consider taking a break from running.

The five-time Berlin Marathon champion, after competing at the 2025 New York City Marathon and finishing 17th, expressed his visionary goal to compete in marathons across all seven continents.

Having already dominated major races in Africa, Europe, and Asia, Eliud Kipchoge aims to expand his legacy by running in North America, South America, Oceania, and eventually Antarctica.

This ambitious journey is not just about winning, but about inspiring people worldwide and demonstrating that ‘no human is limited’ regardless of the environment.

Eliud Kipchoge explained that his decision should not be seen as stepping away from the sport, but rather as entering a new phase of his journey.

The two-time Olympic champion said he was shifting his focus from personal accolades and historic achievements toward a broader mission that extends beyond competition.

According to him, running now represents a platform to serve a greater cause, particularly in raising awareness around sustainability and social responsibility.

Eliud Kipchoge shared his vision of using major races as opportunities to generate significant funding aimed at improving access to education, with plans to support the construction of learning centres across Kenya.

“What I am actually doing is not retiring. It's actually trying to evolve. It's trying to go to another life whereby I am no longer chasing the medals and the world records, but running for purpose, the environment,” Eliud Kipchoge told BBC Africa in an interview.

“I'm expecting and hoping to raise a million dollars in every marathon to build a library all over Kenya, build libraries in every county, and probably in every city that I'm running in all these seven continents.”

Eliud Kipchoge dismissed suggestions that he was placing excessive demands on himself, saying that his outlook on both sport and everyday living is built around continuous progress.

He explained that he sees each day as a chance to move forward, embrace challenges, and create fresh growth opportunities.

According to him, this constant pursuit of improvement is not limited to athletics but reflects a wider philosophy about how life should be lived.

Eliud Kipchoge added that the process of striving, learning, and discovering new paths is what gives life its true meaning and appeal.

“Not really. I believe that life... is about pushing every day. It's about pressing on. So I believe life in sport and life in general is about pushing and getting new opportunities to work on. And that's the beauty of life,” he added.

Eliud Kipchoge has made it clear that his journey is no longer defined solely by podium finishes, but by impact and purpose.

As he prepares to take his running to new corners of the world, the marathon legend remains driven by a belief in service and possibility, showing that his greatest race may now be the one to inspire change far beyond the finish line.