Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, surprised fans by finishing sixth at the 2025 TCS London Marathon. Despite missing the podium, Kipchoge still walked away with a hefty paycheck, underscoring his enduring star power in the world of long-distance running.
Kipchoge completed the race in 2:05:25, a strong time but not enough to keep pace with the younger front-runners. Kenyan Sabastian Sawe took the victory, clocking an impressive 2:03:00. While Kipchoge’s sixth-place finish was unexpected, it marked only the second time in six London Marathon appearances that he did not finish in the top three.
What stands out most is Kipchoge’s earnings from the event. The London Marathon offers a significant appearance fee to elite runners of Kipchoge’s caliber, reflecting his global reputation and ability to draw massive audiences. Reports indicate Kipchoge received an appearance fee of around $176,000 (approximately 24 million Kenyan shillings). On top of that, he earned prize money for his sixth-place finish, which was about $7,500.
The total payout of approximately $183,500 highlights how much value marathon organizers place on Kipchoge’s participation, even when he doesn’t win. His presence alone elevates the race’s profile and attracts sponsors, media attention, and fans worldwide.
For Kipchoge, the London Marathon remains a key event in his career. He has won the race four times before, setting course records and thrilling fans with his near-superhuman performances. Although this year’s result was a setback, his earnings and legacy remain strong.
Eliud Kipchoge Paycheck Outshines Sawe’s Despite Sixth-Place Finish
Eliud Kipchoge earned a larger overall paycheck than Sabastian Sawe at the 2025 London Marathon despite finishing sixth. Kipchoge received a hefty appearance fee of about $176,000, reflecting his legendary status and drawing power. In addition, he earned approximately $7,500 in prize money for his sixth-place finish, bringing his total earnings to around $183,500.
In contrast, Sawe, who won the race with a time of 2:02:27, earned the winner’s prize money of $55,000 but did not receive a comparable appearance fee. Therefore, Kipchoge’s total paycheck significantly exceeded Sawe’s, highlighting the value organizers place on Kipchoge’s presence.
As the marathon world continues to see new talent emerge, Kipchoge’s ability to command top appearance fees and prize money shows that his influence extends beyond just crossing the finish line first.