Eliud Kipchoge, the legendary marathon runner, will compete in the Cape Town Marathon this weekend, where despite recent challenges, he aims to deliver another remarkable performance against a strong elite field. Picture: SAEED KHAN / AFP
Image: SAEED KHAN / AFP
Widely considered the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) marathon runner, Eliud Kipchoge will be an incredible addition to the men’s field for the Cape Town Marathon this weekend, but just what can we expect from the legend?
At 41, the Kenyan Kipchoge is no longer the best in the world - but his achievements over 42.2km are unmatched.
When Kipchoge won his last major title at the Berlin Marathon in 2023, it meant he had triumphed in 16 of his first 19 marathons. That run of victories included two Olympic titles, as well as the world record from 2018 to 2023.
His personal best (PB) of 2:01:09, which he set in 2022, has since been lowered twice - now to a previously unthinkable time of 1:59:30 by countryman Sebastian Sawe.
That record is simply incredible, and meant Kipchoge was still a dominant force right up until the age of 38.
Since then, though, the superhuman runner has seen age catch up with him as his best finish in his next five marathons was sixth place at the 2025 London Marathon in a time of 2:05:25.
The course record at the Cape Town Marathon is 2:08:16, and there is good running weather forecast for Sunday with a maximum temperature around 18 degrees.
For me, the race favourites will be Ethiopia’s Boki Asefa, who finished second at the Doha Marathon in January in a time of 2:05:40, and Kenyan Bernard Biwott, who has a PB of 2:05:25.
The men’s elite field, though, besides Kipchoge, is stacked. Stephen Kiprop could also emerge victorious as his PB is 2:03:37.
Though Kipchoge says his competitive racing days are behind him, there may just be one more top performance in his tank in what will be his first-ever marathon on African soil.