Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running remains unchallenged, and marathon legend Paul Tergat is confident that the nation’s pipeline of elite athletes will ensure continued success even as Eliud Kipchoge, the sport’s greatest icon, approaches the twilight of his career.
Speaking to Olympics.com, last year November , a former world record holder Tergat expressed unwavering faith in Kenya’s deep talent pool.
“We’re spoiled for choice. When we talk about the pool of talent, sometimes you don’t even know who to pick,” he said.
His comments came shortly after Ruth Chepngetich set a new women’s world record at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, further cementing Kenya’s reputation as a powerhouse in road racing.
More recently, Kenyans John Korir and Sharon Lokedi claimed victory at the 2025 Boston Marathon, proving that the country’s dominance in the 42.195km race remains unshaken. With emerging stars stepping up, Tergat sees no reason for concern as Kipchoge, now 40, transitions into the final phase of his illustrious career.
Kipchoge’s Legacy and Future Plans
Eliud Kipchoge, the second-fastest marathoner in history behind the late Kelvin Kiptum, has hinted at running “a few more marathons” despite a disappointing DNF (Did Not Finish) at the Paris 2024 Olympics, his first failure to complete a marathon in his storied career.
The two-time Olympic champion will return to competition at the 2025 London Marathon, where he aims to inspire rather than simply chase victories.
“Instead of quitting at the top, I want to sell a new story, to give inspiration and make the world united again through running,” Kipchoge told Olympics.com.
Tergat fully supports Kipchoge’s decision to continue competing.
“Kipchoge is a legend; he has achieved so much in his career. The idea of continuing to inspire others is a good one, and we love that,” Tergat said.
“I’m happy that Kipchoge has that idea—he wants to remain active in sports and give back.”
Kenya’s Olympic Success and Growth in Sports
As president of the Kenyan Olympic Committee since 2017, Tergat is also proud of the nation’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Kenya topped Africa’s medal table and ranked second globally in athletics behind the United States. The team secured 11 medals, all in track and field, including four golds. Notably, women accounted for 10 of those medals, with Beatrice Chebet achieving a historic 5,000m and 10,000m double.
“Our team was 50-50 in terms of gender participation, we had never achieved that before,” Tergat noted.
“We have huge potential, and now our goal is to grow other sports beyond athletics.”
Kelvin Kiptum’s Legacy
Tergat also reflected on the tragic loss of Kelvin Kiptum, the men’s marathon world record holder (2:00:35), who died in a car accident earlier in 2024.
“He was a hope, an inspiration for so many youngsters. We never had someone so young break the world record,” Tergat said.
The evolution of marathon running in Kenya has also seen a shift in training and competition strategies. Unlike Tergat’s generation, which transitioned from cross-country and track to road racing, many young athletes today are bypassing track events altogether to focus on marathons.
“Now, the majority are going straight into marathons and road racing.”
The Future of Marathon Records
Tergat, who made history as the first man to break the 2:05 barrier at the 2003 Berlin Marathon, believes more records will fall due to advancements in technology, nutrition, and training.
“Records are set to be broken,” he said, praising Chepngetich’s 2:09:56 world record.
“We are proud of what she achieved. She has set a path for others to run even faster.”
He also highlighted how modern innovations—from high-performance shoes to aerodynamic apparel—have revolutionized the sport.
“The way you run now is more efficient—technology assists you to move faster,” Tergat explained.
“Before, after finishing a marathon, maybe you couldn’t even walk for two days. Now, athletes recover faster, train smarter, and perform better.”
With a wealth of emerging talent, a strong Olympic foundation, and the enduring legacy of legends like Kipchoge and Tergat, Kenya’s marathon future looks brighter than ever.
For now, Kenya remains the undisputed king of long-distance running—and the next generation is ready to carry the torch.
