Best quotes from Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes in the marathon and formerly specialized at the 5000-metre distance. Regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, he is the 2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon champion and the world record holder in the marathon with a time of 2:01:09 set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon. He has run five of the seven fastest marathons in history. Kipchoge claimed his first individual world championship title in 2003 by winning the junior race at the World Cross Country Championships and setting a world junior record over 5000 m on the track.

At the age of eighteen, he became the senior 5000 m world champion at the 2003 World Championships with a championships record, then followed with an Olympic bronze for Kenya in 2004 and a bronze at the 2006 World Indoor Championships. A five-time World Championship 5000 m finalist, Kipchoge took silver medals at the 2007 World Championships, 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Commonwealth Games. He switched to road running in 2012 and made the second-fastest half marathon debut ever, at 59:25.

In his marathon debut, he won the 2013 Hamburg Marathon in a course record time. His first victory at a World Marathon Major came at the Chicago Marathon in 2014, and he went on to become series champion a record five times – for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022. He has won the London Marathon a record four times and also holds the record for most Berlin Marathon wins with five, his latest coming in September 2023.

With 15 victories out of his 18 marathons, Kipchoge’s only losses have been a second-place finish behind Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich at the 2013 Berlin Marathon, where Kipsang broke the world record, an eighth-place finish at the 2020 London Marathon and a sixth place in his debut at the Boston Marathon in 2023. Kipchoge’s current world record run broke by 30 seconds his own 2018 world record, which was in turn a 78-second improvement over the existing best, the greatest improvement in a marathon world record time since 1967.

On 12 October 2019, Kipchoge ran the marathon distance for the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, achieving a time of 1:59:40.2, becoming the first person in recorded history to do a sub-two-hour marathon. The run did not count as a new marathon record, as standard competition rules for pacing and fluids were not followed, and it was not an open event. Kipchoge was appointed Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart by President Uhuru Kenyatta on 20 October 2019 in recognition of his sub-two-hour marathon. In 2023 he was awarded the Princess of Asturias Award in the category “Sports”.

Some of the best quotes from Eliud Kipchoge are listed below.

1. “100% of myself is nothing compared to 1% of the whole team. And vice versa. 1% percent of the teams is nothing compared to 100% of myself. And that’s the meaning of teamwork.” – Eliud Kipchoge
2. “Accept change…I know it is not really comfortable to adopt change but change in life of a human being or life of any profession is really important. But change cannot be forced.” – Eliud Kipchoge
3. “All our minds, all our thoughts are parallel. But I respect everybody’s thoughts.” – Eliud Kipchoge
4. “Athletics is not so much about the legs. It’s about the heart and mind.” – Eliud Kipchoge
5. “Become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Accept change.” – Eliud Kipchoge
6. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Eliud Kipchoge
7. “Don’t make excuses. When you have decided to do something, do it. No excuses. Then you are self-disciplined.” – Eliud Kipchoge
8. “Every day is a challenge, you’re always faced with a new one. And when I have achieved something, I look forward to the next goal. That’s the way to go.” – Eliud Kipchoge
9. “Everything is possible if you believe in yourself.” – Eliud Kipchoge
10. “Failure is just a stepping stone to success.” – Eliud Kipchoge
11. “Greatness is not found in possessions, power, or fame. It is found in humility, service, and character.” – Eliud Kipchoge
12. “I always tell people that this is a really simple deal: Work hard.” – Eliud Kipchoge
13. “I always treat myself as my biggest competitor.” – Eliud Kipchoge
14. “I am just going to try to run my personal best. If it comes as a world record, I would appreciate it. But I would treat it as a personal best.” – Eliud Kipchoge
15. “I am running to make history, to show that no human is limited. It’s not about money, it’s about showing a generation of people that there are no limits,” – Eliud Kipchoge
16. “I am the happiest man to run under two hours. I am here to inspire everyone that it can be done.” – Eliud Kipchoge
17. “I am the master of my destiny; I control my own fate.” – Eliud Kipchoge
18. “I believe in calm, simple, low-profile life. You live simple, you train hard, and live an honest life. Then you are free.” – Eliud Kipchoge
19. “I believe in what I am doing. To run a big marathon and win takes five months. When I’m on the starting line, my mind starts reviewing what I have been doing the last five months. I believe in my training, and I treat myself as the best one standing on that line.” – Eliud Kipchoge
20. “I don’t know where the limits are, but I would like to go there.” – Eliud Kipchoge
21. “I don’t run to beat other people, I run to beat myself.” – Eliud Kipchoge
22. “I don’t have regrets. In any sport, the feeling of regret is a sign of indiscipline.” – Eliud Kipchoge
23. “I enjoy the simplistic training and life in marathon. You run, eat, sleep, walk around – that’s how life is. You don’t get complicated. The moment you get complicated it distracts your mind.” – Eliud Kipchoge
24. “I have kept a training diary to record my plans and my feelings and emotions for a long time.” – Eliud Kipchoge
25. “I know that good preparation is more important than everything else.” – Eliud Kipchoge
26. “I like to be with my family, to read books, and know what is going on in the world.” – Eliud Kipchoge
27. “I love the sport, and that’s what drives me.” – Eliud Kipchoge
28. “I really want to make a big mark in athletics, to be a legend and be a good example to kids.” – Eliud Kipchoge
29. “I saw people celebrating all over the country, Kenya… will be united and in future Kenya will be a running nation.” – Eliud Kipchoge
30. “I started running because my neighbor, Patrick Sang, was an athlete and I wanted to be just like him.” – Eliud Kipchoge
31. “I think the medals are the same, I will be among the competitors, I don’t complain.” – Eliud Kipchoge
32. “I wake up at 5am, by 6am I’m on the way to training. I come back and relax, have lunch, take a little nap, then train again at 4pm for an evening run. Then relax, dinner and bed at 9pm until the next day.” – Eliud Kipchoge
33. “I want to go down in history as the best marathon runner, and for future generations I want to be a role model as a runner as well as a person.” – Eliud Kipchoge
34. “I want to run with a relaxed mind.” – Eliud Kipchoge
35. “I want to show the world that you can go beyond your thoughts, you can break more than you think you can break.” – Eliud Kipchoge
36. “I want to stay for a long time and leave a mark so the young generation can aspire to be at the top like me. I love the sport, and that’s what drives me.” – Eliud Kipchoge
37. “I will teach the kids how to think in a positive way.” – Eliud Kipchoge
38. “I would like to tell every living soul in the world that anyone can do whatever they want, all they need is to believe and trust in themselves.” – Eliud Kipchoge
39. “I’m confident to say that if you want to grow in a profession, consistency is the key… I’m strict about my work goals and training.” – Eliud Kipchoge
40. “I’m happy to be the first human being to run under two hours.” – Eliud Kipchoge
41. “I’m sending a message to every individual in this world that when you work hard, when you actually concentrate, when you set your priorities high, when you actually set your goals, and put them in your heart and in your mind and in your mind, you will accomplish, without any question.” – Eliud Kipchoge
42. “If athletes can go near their fans, many people would develop a love for running.” – Eliud Kipchoge
43. “If I miss one training, then I will not sleep well.” – Eliud Kipchoge
44. “If you are humble, your concentration will be very high.” – Eliud Kipchoge
45. “If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions.” – Eliud Kipchoge
46. “If you believe in something and put it in your mind and heart, it can be realized.” – Eliud Kipchoge
47. “If you concentrate on the rear mirror, you’ll crash and cause an accident.” – Eliud Kipchoge
48. “If you don’t rule your mind, your mind will rule you.” – Eliud Kipchoge
49. “If you train with fast athletes, it keeps you pushing.” – Eliud Kipchoge
50. “If you work hard, follow what’s required and set your priorities right, then you can really perform without taking shortcuts. If you’re taking shortcuts, you can’t be free.” – Eliud Kipchoge
51. “I’m confident to say that if you want to grow in a profession, consistency is the key.” – Eliud Kipchoge
52. “I’m strict about my work goals and training.” – Eliud Kipchoge
53. “In life, the idea is to be happy.” – Eliud Kipchoge
54. “In the future, I still need to perform well and I still need to win marathons. But I feel more than anything that I need to make history.” – Eliud Kipchoge
55. “In the marathon, the first half is just a normal run. At 15 kilometers, 20 kilometers, everybody is still going to be there. Where the marathon starts is after 30 kilometers. That’s where you feel pain everywhere in your body. The muscles are really aching, and only the most prepared and well-organized athlete is going to do well after that. I’ll go with the pace, but after 30 kilometers, I’ll change to my own pace. And if you’re ready to follow me, then we can go together.” – Eliud Kipchoge
56. “In the offseason I allow my body to recover, my mind to recover.” – Eliud Kipchoge
57. “It means a lot to Kenya, running under two hours, together we can make a beautiful world.” – Eliud Kipchoge
58. “It’s not about being the best, it’s about being better than you were yesterday.” – Eliud Kipchoge
59. “It’s not about the legs; it’s about the heart and the mind.” – Eliud Kipchoge
60. “It’s not the job that counts, it’s how you do it.” – Eliud Kipchoge
61. “It’s still my legs that are doing the running, not the shoe.” – Eliud Kipchoge
62. “Keep pushing, keep moving forward, and never give up on your dreams.” – Eliud Kipchoge
63. “Keeping calm allows you to think more clearly and being patient allows you to be prepared on how best to run a beautiful race.” – Eliud Kipchoge
64. “Life is all about pushing through the tough times.” – Eliud Kipchoge
65. “Marathon is life. And life is where you progress.” – Eliud Kipchoge
66. “Marathon is no longer an individual event, it’s a team event.” – Eliud Kipchoge
67. “Mental fitness plays a big role during competition. If you don’t rule your mind, your mind will rule you.” – Eliud Kipchoge
68. “Mental strength is just as important as physical strength.” – Eliud Kipchoge
69. “Mentality is where the success is. I will teach the kids how to think in a positive way.” – Eliud Kipchoge
70. “My mind is always free. My mind is flexible.” – Eliud Kipchoge
71. “My mind was clear… From the first kilometer to the last kilometer, I knew I had it.” – Eliud Kipchoge
72. “My secret? I run with my heart and my mind.” – Eliud Kipchoge
73. “Nothing is stronger than a peaceful mind.” – Eliud Kipchoge
74. “Only the disciplined ones in life are free. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods and your passions.” – Eliud Kipchoge
75. “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” – Eliud Kipchoge
76. “Passion is a choice. You need to choose to be great. It’s not a chance, it’s a choice.” – Eliud Kipchoge
77. “Personally, I don’t believe in limits.” – Eliud Kipchoge
78. “Running is not just a sport, it’s a way of life.” – Eliud Kipchoge
79. “Self-discipline starts with you. It’s no other person. It starts with you. Start to examine yourself…Self discipline is doing what’s right instead of doing what you feel like doing. That’s the meaning of self-discipline.” – Eliud Kipchoge
80. “Sometimes all it takes is a little adjustment to face the obstacles in life.” – Eliud Kipchoge
81. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Eliud Kipchoge
82. “The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second-best time to plant a tree is today.” – Eliud Kipchoge
83. “The best way to achieve your goals is to focus on the process, not the outcome.” – Eliud Kipchoge
84. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Eliud Kipchoge
85. “The greatest joy in life is not achieving your goals, it is helping others achieve theirs.” – Eliud Kipchoge
86. “The law of nature cannot allow all human beings to think together. In breaking the two-hour barrier, I want to open minds to think that no human is limited.” – Eliud Kipchoge
87. “The marathon is hard; the second day, you don’t go up or down stairs.” – Eliud Kipchoge
88. “The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it.” – Eliud Kipchoge
89. “The most important factors which actually aided me in breaking the two-hour mark. One was the team work. Secondly is the people around me. Good training.” – Eliud Kipchoge
90. “The only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.” – Eliud Kipchoge
91. “The will to win means nothing if you do not have the will to prepare.” – Eliud Kipchoge
92. “There is a formula: 100% of me is nothing compared to 1% of the whole team.” – Eliud Kipchoge
93. “There is no substitute for hard work.” – Eliud Kipchoge
94. “These roads are best ran together.” – Eliud Kipchoge
95. “Thinking positively and confidently changed my life. If you stay consistent and work hard, you can be successful for a long time.” – Eliud Kipchoge
96. “To me, running is life. I run to live longer and enjoy a healthier life. I always say: a run in the morning is like eating a fruit a day – it chases he doctor away. It is good for your mind.” – Eliud Kipchoge
97. “To run alone is not sport. To run with others is sport.” – Eliud Kipchoge
98. “To win is not important. To be successful is not even important. How to plan and prepare is crucial. When you plan very well and prepare very well, then success can come on the way. Then winning can come on your way.” – Eliud Kipchoge
99. “Unity is strength, diversity is power.” – Eliud Kipchoge
100. “What motivates me year in, year out, is the love for the sport and the legacy I want to leave for the present and next generation.” – Eliud Kipchoge
101. “When I have a lot of pain, I try to confuse my mind to forget about the pain and think about the distance. I don’t want pain to be in my mind, because I’d really lose focus on running. After winning, you won’t have that pain, but it comes later. The marathon is hard; the second day, you don’t go up or down stairs.” – Eliud Kipchoge
102. “When I miss one workout session, it’s like missing a discussion with your classmates, where six people are discussing a subject.” – Eliud Kipchoge
103. “When I run, I feel good. My mind feels good. I sleep in a free way, and I enjoy life.” – Eliud Kipchoge
104. “When I was young I would run for fun and I didn’t know back then that this would be my career.” – Eliud Kipchoge
105. “When you find your passion, you never work a day in your life.” – Eliud Kipchoge
106. “When you plan very well and prepare very well, then success can come on the way. Then winning can come on your way.” – Eliud Kipchoge
107. “When you smile and you’re happy, you can trigger the mind to not feel your legs.” – Eliud Kipchoge
108. “When you work hard, when you actually concentrate, when you set your priorities high, when you actually set your goals, and put them in your heart and in your mind, you will accomplish, without any question.” – Eliud Kipchoge
109. “Winning is great, but the journey is what really matters.” – Eliud Kipchoge
110. “With a strong heart and a good mind, you can do it.” – Eliud Kipchoge
111. “You cannot train alone and expect to run a fast time.” – Eliud Kipchoge