Eliud Kipchoge's proposal for Alex Yee for the London Marathon
The next edition of the London Marathon, on 27 April 2025, will offer an unusual attraction for fans of athletics and triathlon.
The four-time winner of the London event, Eliud Kipchoge, has expressed his intention to meet with the Olympic triathlon champion, Alex Yee, to share his experience and guide him in his jump to 42,195 km.
The announcement has come as a surprise to the sporting community, as the Kenyan is considered by many to be the “GOAT” of the marathon.
With a career that includes Olympic golds in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, as well as being the first person in history to break the two-hour barrier at the distance (1:59:40 in 2019), the name of Kipchoge is directly associated with success in road races.
For its part, Yee, who has just won an Olympic title and his first world triathlon title, has decided to take a temporary break from combined events to make his marathon debut in his hometown.
Eliud Kipchoge's proposal for Alex Yee
What we inspect with the "El Bailador" road simulator: recent interviewThe Kenyan record holder explained that he wants to sit down and talk with Yee before the London Marathon.
The aim is to convey his philosophy on running, the importance of consistency in training and the motivation needed to tackle the legendary distance.
"I would like to share with him what running means and why it can be positive for the whole world.", Commented KipchogeHis willingness to mentor other athletes is part of his vision to inspire the next generation.
Both share the desire to spread the values of sport and encourage more people to run, whether for health, personal improvement or competitive purposes. The meeting, according to Kipchoge himself, will include a pleasant time to chat and “share a coffee.”
The jump from Olympic distance to marathon
For many triathlon fans, the step of Alex Yee at 42K it's no surprise.
Since I was a teenager, Yee He dreamed of one day participating in his city's marathon.
After shining in international triathlon, where he has won Olympic gold medals and World Series victories, the 26-year-old Briton now faces this new challenge with great enthusiasm.
In 2024, Yee He closed his triathlon season by being crowned world champion. With that achievement under his belt, he decided that 2025 was the right time to focus much of his preparation on road races. His ambition: to set a time of around 2 hours and 7 minutes (or close to 2:10), a time that would place him among the best British long-distance runners in history.
To measure his fitness, he recently ran in the Valencia 10K, with an outstanding time of 28:07.
This result was an indication that his preparation is progressing and that his performance over long distances could be highly competitive.
Why London will be Yee's big test
The London Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors and attracts tens of thousands of runners each year, as well as an elite line-up of international stars. Alex YeeThere is no better setting than the streets where he trained as an athlete, those where he started when he was young and participated in the Mini Marathon.
In addition, the confirmation of the presence of Eliud Kipchoge has provided an extra incentive for all the competitors. The 40-year-old Kenyan will be looking to regain his dominance after an injury thwarted his plans for a third consecutive Olympic gold in Paris last summer. His astonishing record of four wins in London and his legendary time of 1:59:40 in Vienna in 2019 make him one of the favourites.
Yee, for his part, is looking forward to sharing the starting line with a world-renowned athlete. It will be the moment to measure his strength and see how his body responds after so many years competing in combined events.
So much Eliud Kipchoge , the Alex Yee They are aware of the power they have as public figures to encourage youth.
The Kenyan has always maintained that “running can change people’s lives,” while the Briton sees sport as a platform to instil values of perseverance and overcoming.
