New York Marathon poised to be Eliud Kipchoge's last dance in world majors

Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge says this weekend’s New York City Marathon will be his final race in the world majors, after which he intends to embark on a new journey in "new and challenging surroundings."

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Kipchoge, 40, will make his debut in the Big Apple on Sunday, 2 November, a race that will importantly see him run in all the seven World Marathon Majors.

In an interview earlier this month, the 11-time World Marathon Major champion said earning his ‘sixth star’ would complete his legacy, and make him feel - in his words - a rounded person.

Kipchoge hoping to complete marathon legacy in New York

If that sentiment did not make enough headlines, then his Thursday's interview with Olympics.com did.

Asked whether Sunday’s race would be his final elite marathon, Kipchoge responded firmly, saying: “Absolutely yes!”

On his future plan, he added: “A lot is in store which I will roll out after New York. It will be an interesting journey to do other things. I will run even 50 kilometres in Saudi Arabia. I will run in Antarctica.

I want to do that extreme thing that can make somebody work hard and also get partners (sponsors) to rally for a cause.”

Kipchoge, who has for a long time been an advocate of making the world a running world, will on his final major marathon bow, therefore, look to pass a bigger message.

Kipchoge outlines key focus areas as NOC-K athletes' representative

“What I am also aiming for is to show the young people that you can still push limits and do more marathons,” Kipchoge said on lining up for his third marathon in a year.

“I did not have to change my training for this, as I still believe I have the mileage in my muscles after the Sydney marathon. It was mainly just changing my mind to accept that I can (run three marathons in a year) and then I decided to go for it.”

Kipchoge’s last victory in any marathon came over two years ago, when he became the first man to win five Berlin Marathons in 2023.

His plans to attack on a new course that will pit him against legendary Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele?

Bekele-Kipchoge rivalry still alive after Ethiopian is added to New York Marathon field

“I am really ready to run well,” Kipchoge said. “I will be trying to be on the podium. For me it is like any other serious, normal race. I will fight to run in a good way on the streets of New York. It is not about just participating, it is about competition.”