After racing at the 2025 New York City Marathon, where he came home 17th, the 41-year-old, who has run four of the 10 fastest marathons in history, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest marathon runners of all time, has now lined up to return for the 10km road race in over 10 years.
According to Olympic.com, Sunday’s run is part of Kipchoge’s ambassadorial role at the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok, and he will join the 10km run to support and encourage the 35,000 runners who are participating.
For the elite men, the current world record for 10km on the road is 26 minutes and 24 seconds. The record is held by Rhonex Kipruto and was set in Valencia in January 2020. That equates to 4 minutes 14.92 seconds per mile / 2 minutes 38.4 seconds per kilometre.
After the New York Marathon, Kipchoge unveiled a new project which will see him compete in seven marathons across seven continents over the next two years.
“Running is the most universal sport – it connects us all,” said the former world record-holder, who last weekend made his New York City Marathon debut, placing 17th,” Kipchoge told Olympic.com.
“With this project, I want to compete not only for records, but for the people. I hope to inspire, give back, and remind everyone that no human is limited.”
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 for the 5000m.
At the age of 18, he became the senior 5000 m world champion at the 2003 World Championships with a championship record, then followed by an Olympic bronze for Kenya in 2004 and a bronze at the 2006 World Indoor Championships.
A five-time World Championship 5000m finalist, Kipchoge took silver medals at the 2007 World Championships, 2008 Beijing Olympics, and 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Kipchoge was the 2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon champion, and was the world record holder in the marathon from 2018 to 2023, until that record was broken by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
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.
Kipchoge 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.
A brief history of Bangkok Marathon
The Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon is a one-of-a-kind race in Asia, primarily due to its unique timing: it takes place at night or in the early morning hours to avoid the oppressive heat of Thailand’s capital.
In a tropical atmosphere, runners navigate an urban course that passes by Bangkok’s iconic sites, such as the Grand Palace, the majestic Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), and the Rama VIII Bridge which spans the Chao Phraya River.
With nearly 30,000 participants, the event offers various distances suitable for all levels: marathon, half-marathon, 10 km, and fun runs. Its vibrant ambiance and night-time setting make the Bangkok Marathon an unforgettable experience for running enthusiasts.
