Kipchoge: Big day as legend makes Boston Marathon debut

By Peter Ochieng

It is somehow odd that marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has over the course of his glittering career, never lined up for the Boston marathon in the US.

The long wait however comes to an end today (Monday 17th April, 2023) as he makes his debut, aiming to fulfill his dream of winning all six marathon majors.

He has won the Berlin, Tokyo, London and Chicago marathons, with Boston and New York remaining.

For the 38-year-old two-time Olympic marathon champion and world record holder, nothing is impossible and a first finish today will put that dream well on course.

Over the year's, Kipchoge has won 15 out of 17 marathons he has participated in.

He is the only man to run a sub two-hour marathon distance, but this round his target is not to set another world record, but to win.

“I’m targeting the win,” he told Letsrun.com in an interview this week.

"I just ran it in my mind. It’s a very good course. The hills are there, they are good. The challenge is just the training. If my muscles can handle the training, I don’t think about age. I know my age is coming, and one day I’ll quit – and that’s okay. But I don’t concentrate on anything about age. I’m doing the program provided by my coach," he added.

Kipchoge will come up against compatriots Evans Chebet, the reigning Boston and New York Marathon champion, and Benson Kipruto, the 2021 Boston champion who are among the top challengers.

The race starts at about 4.37pm East African time.