Has Eliud Kipchoge pioneered a new style of run influencing?

November 4, 2025

41-year-old Eliud Kipchoge’s 17th-place finish in Sunday’s New York City Marathon confirmed what most of us already knew: the former world record holder is past his prime. But winning was never the goal. Kipchoge said his mission was to “unite the world through running.” And that might just be his new purpose.

Before 2023, Kipchoge had a marathon record of 15 wins and only two losses. And instead of hanging up his carbon-plated shoes at the peak of his career, he seems to have forged a new path as an elite running influencer.

Influencers are everywhere now. They’ve become the new celebrities of the sport, filling brand campaigns and social feeds that once belonged exclusively to professionals like Kipchoge.

It’s not that Kipchoge isn’t still running for something; it’s that he’s running for something else. The 2025 TCS London Marathon reportedly paid him US$175,000 not just to race, but to show up, smile, and remind the world that “no human is limited.” That’s nearly $100,000 more than his Kenyan compatriot Sebastian Sawe earned for actually winning the race.

Kipchoge says this project is about more than medals; it’s about pushing himself and inspiring others. For years, his “no human is limited” saying stood for his out-of-this-world potential: breaking barriers, records, and redefining what is possible. Now, it seems to be about reflecting, connecting and influencing others to take up the sport. Running Magazine