Why Eliud Kipchoge Never Ran New York Marathon Before His Debut on 2nd Nov

Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, is set to make his first attempt at the New York City Marathon.

The 40-year-old Kenyan athlete is chasing a historic "sixth star" to finalise his legendary career. He will make his debut in the 54th edition of the race on Sunday, 2nd November.

Kipchoge enters the event as the fastest man in the field, boasting a remarkable time of 2:01:09. He has already secured two Olympic gold medals and holds a record 11 victories across the World Marathon Majors.

The Quest for a Complete Legacy

Despite being Kenya’s most celebrated marathon athlete, the New York classic was the only major marathon missing from Kipchoge’s list.

He made a triumphant debut in Chicago 11 years ago but has not yet raced the famous five-borough course.

Kipchoge has consistently trained for the major marathons over a very long period. He stated that his motivation is deeply personal.

“If I don’t complete, I feel like I am halfway - I am not a rounded person,” he said. “My legacy will be complete because I will have a sixth star.”

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This debut allows him to complete the elite set of six major races.

Taking on a Challenging Course

Unlike famously flat and quick courses such as Berlin and Chicago, the New York City Marathon is known for its unpredictable nature.

The course, which spans five boroughs, includes five bridges and an undulating finale through Central Park. Organisers say New York is not a suitable location for setting world records.

Kipchoge is excited to finally experience the unique atmosphere of the city.

“I want to experience, I want to go through it,” Kipchoge told reporters. “I want to actually see the two million people who are lining up around the course.”

He will face stiff competition in the men’s field. Contenders include former champions Abdi Nageeye and Albert Korir, along with Olympic bronze medallist Benson Kipruto.

Recent Form and Technological Edge

The marathon great is approaching the race, having experienced mixed results recently. Kipchoge was unable to finish the Paris Olympics marathon last year. More recently, he finished ninth in the Sydney Marathon on 31st August 2025.

Kipchoge, who is 40 years old, has spoken about the benefits of technology in helping him extend his career. Since partnering with Abbott in 2021, he has been able to monitor his body in greater detail.

He credits advances in technology, specifically continuous glucose monitoring, with helping him push past the boundaries of age.

“That's what made changes – I can monitor my glucose on time. It’s wonderful,” Kipchoge noted.

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Kipchoge’s lengthy career has overlapped with significant anti-doping discussions. When asked about compatriot Ruth Chepngetich’s provisional suspension, Kipchoge remarked that it is "a shame actually for people to break the rule in sport".

Speculation has suggested that Kipchoge may be preparing to retire from elite marathon running. He confirmed that he would announce what is next on his agenda after the New York marathon on 2nd November.