When Eliud Kipchoge started running in the early 2000s, all he wanted was to get on a plane and go to Europe.

In 2003, Eliud participated in his first World Championship in Paris and got gold.

“I remember Paris as my first race, my first championship actually to win, and I can say Paris is the beginning of my life in sport,” said Eliud.

“All I can remember is that between me and him, we got Kenya gold medals, and that’s why, even to date, I have a very special place in my heart for Kipchoge,” said Catherine Ndereba.

Catherine is an Olympic marathon silver medalist, she secured silver medals at the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008.

Life begins at 40, so they say.

As Eliud Kipchoge approaches his 40th birthday in November, he faces an arduous task to defend his Olympic gold medal for the marathon at the Paris Olympics.

“I am looking to win for the third time, try to make history by being the first human being to win back to back to back. That’s what is in my mind,” said Eliud.

If he wins, Eliud will become the first man to win three Olympic marathon gold medals.

Currently, Eliud who won marathon gold at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics is in an exclusive club of only three men who have won two marathon Olympic gold medals.

The other marathoners are Ethiopian Abebe Bikila and East Germany’s Waldemar Cierpinski.

As Eliud defends his gold on August 10th, he faces a tough battle with the marathon attracting young athletes.

“Marathon has become a very young event. It’s attracting 23- 25-year-olds. So then here you have someone who is turning 40 lining up at the start. Certainly, there is the mental battle that he has to face,” said sports journalist, Evelyne Watta.

Even so, his coach Patrick Sang is counting on the Greatest of All Time(GOAT) to increase his medal tally and inspire others with his longevity.

“He’s training like a youngster, you know if destiny has it, then we are going to see a third Olympic gold medal for Eliud in Paris,” said Patrick.

As part of his preparation, Eliud goes to training camp for five days a week, meaning he stays away from his family.

Even so, he says his family is his ignition key that inspires him to wake up.

“My family is really important. Staying away from home to prepare is a tough sacrifice, but I’m taking time to explain to my family what I’m doing and what comes in return, and the role I am playing in what I’m doing, and they really understand, that’s the beauty,” said Eliud.

For Paris, his wife Grace Sugut is looking forward to Eliud bringing the gold home.

“It will be my happiest moment as he defends his title. Comes out successful because I also believe that I also contribute,” she said.

On 12th October 2019, Eliud Kipchoge proved to the world that No Human Is Limited, we now wait to see him go beyond his limits.

If he wins or not, this will not change the fact that Eliud is one of the greatest marathoners of all time.

“This race will not define or take away from Eliud’s greatness. Paris will just confirm that Eliud is the best of them all,” said Evelyn.