Lessons from Eliud Kipchoge in Sydney: Running Beyond Expectations

On August 31, 2025, the race started at the TCS Sydney Marathon with historic anticipation. Sydney had just joined the ranks of the major marathons as an Abbott World Marathon Major, and Eliud Kipchoge—the man many call the greatest marathon runner of all time—was making his Australian debut.

The world expected dominance. After all, Kipchoge ran into history as the first human to break the two-hour barrier with his unofficial sub-two-hour marathon in Vienna in 2019. He has set the official world record (twice), won across the international scene from the Tokyo Marathon to the Boston Marathon, and made Olympic history with back-to-back golds in the marathon at the Olympic Games. His marathon career includes 11 wins at the world’s most prestigious races, making him not just a legend, but a living symbol of endurance and possibility.

And yet, in Sydney, the story was different. Kipchoge placed ninth. His time—2:08:31—was steady but not close to the course record of 2:06, nor his own reputation as the man behind the fastest marathon ever run. In the late stages, he slipped from the lead pack, and while he crossed the finish line strong, many were quick to wonder: Is he too old? Is this the beginning of the end?

“I have nothing more to prove to the world.”

Kipchoge doesn’t see it that way. Before the race, he told Olympics.com:

“There is nothing that can move your heart, mind, and soul like a marathon.”

For him, running is no longer about medals, podiums, or chasing another world record. “I have nothing more to prove to the world,” he said from his training base in Eldoret.

Instead, his focus is on lessons: patience, discipline, and determination. “I have learnt patience. I have learnt to handle the challenges. I've learnt to be determined in life, and that pain can resolve into a huge benefit.” Even setbacks have become teachers—something he admits his 11 victories never taught him.

And in a sport (and a world) obsessed with winning, that perspective might be the most radical achievement of all.

The Pressure of Expectations

The media may put pressure on Kipchoge to keep winning, but he also admits to another kind of pressure: “It’s a huge pressure for me to win the race, but there’s more pressure for me to inspire more people to take up running.”

That’s a weight we can all relate to. You don’t need to be a world champion to feel it. Everyday runners often set high bars for themselves: breaking two hours in a half marathon, qualifying for Boston, or hitting a PR in their hometown 5K. When those goals slip away, disappointment can echo louder than the joy of simply showing up.

And just like elites, we may carry the weight of others’ expectations—friends who know we’re “the runner” in the group, family who ask about our times thinking they're being nice, or even the silent pressure of our own social media feeds.

Marathon as a Metaphor for Mental Health

Kipchoge reminds us that the marathon is about more than speed: “We don’t win by our legs, but we win by hearts and our minds… A marathon is not about running your fastest run, but more about going the whole distance. Once you cross the finishing line, you are accomplished.”

That lesson mirrors the journey of mental health. Progress isn’t linear. Success isn’t defined by comparison. The real victory is endurance—the choice to keep moving forward, even when it’s painful.

At Still I Run, we like to say: Forward is a pace.

When your running goals start to chip away at your joy, here are some ways to shift perspective:

• Redefine success. Success isn’t just medals or PRs. It’s lacing up on a hard day, finishing what you started, or choosing rest when your body asks for it.

• Celebrate effort. Did you try? Did you show up? That’s worthy of pride.

• Detach worth from outcomes. Missing a time goal doesn’t mean you’re less of a runner.

• Reflect often. Journaling helps you see patterns of growth that numbers can’t capture.

• Lean on community. Just as Kipchoge once carried pacers toward the two-hour mark in Vienna, we all need people beside us, whether in group runs, online spaces, or trusted friends.

  
  

The Mental Health Runner Workbook

At Still I Run, we created the Mental Health Runner Workbook to help everyday runners balance training with mental wellness.

It includes:

• Structured training plans (5K and 10K)

• Education on mental health tools and coping skills

• Journaling prompts and reflection space

• Encouragement to embrace progress at every pace

You’ll receive it if you join our Mental Health Runner Program (which also provides free running shoes, gear, and 12 weeks of educational emails), or you can purchase it separately in the Still I Run store.

It’s a tool to remind you that running isn’t just about splits or finishing times. It’s about taking care of your whole self.

What Eliud Kipchoge Teaches Us About Running and Life

Eliud Kipchoge has given the world plenty of victories: Olympic golds, silver medals on the track, a sub-two-hour marathon, and a legacy of dominance across the international scene. But perhaps his most important gift is perspective.

“What I learned from London is that consistency and patience still rule the day.” That’s true for the man who redefined the marathon, and it’s true for us—whether we’re chasing Boston or simply trying to get through a stressful week.

The next time expectations start to weigh you down, remember Kipchoge’s wisdom: the finish line isn’t just about time. It’s about heart, patience, and the courage to keep moving.

Because in running—and in life—forward is always a pace.