'I've decided to start on my own continent to thank my fans' - Kipchoge to make African 42km debut at Sanlam Cape Town Marathon

Having waved goodbye the world of competitive running, the first citizen of marathon running Eluid Kipchoge is taking his first steps towards realising his dream of making our world a running world. Last year the two-time Olympic champion and former marathon World Record holder announced his retirement from competitive marathon racing declaring his intention to run a marathon on each of the seven continents over the next two years. Today (9 March) the 41-year-old Kenyan announced that this World Tour will start on his home continent at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on 24 May.

"I'm happy to say that I've been planning the Eluid Kipchoge World Tour for a long time and my first outing will be in Cape Town which is one of the best races in Africa," he said from his training base in the Rift valley town of Eldoret, Kenya. "I've decided to start in my own continent to thank my own young continent of  Africa. My people have been watching me on tv and listening on the radio and seeing me on social media. It's my time now to be with my African base. I want to chat with them and run with them."

Kipchoge says he wants to spend time with his fans on the African continent, which is why he has chosen to start his World Tour by running the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 24 May. Photo Credit: Supplied.

"This will be hugely different because in all other races I've been competing to win or for World Records or Course Records. But this one I will be running for a purpose to inspire people, to motivate people and to reach more people to spread the message of my foundation. I'm running to tell people that in Africa we are still vulnerable as far as education is concerned and I'm also doing it for the whole world to highlight the challenge of climate change."

"So I don't have a stipulated finish time but I'm training normally and preparing my mind like I do for any other race," he said explaining that this World Tour aims to raise 1 million USD for the Eluid Kipchoge Foundation which builds libraries in his native Kenya while advocating action to be take against global climate change.

Kipchoge's World Tour aims to raise 1 million USD to build libraries in his native Kenya. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Wearing a broad smile while he listened to Kipchoge's announcement during a virtual call attended by African and international media Faces CEO Clark Gardener couldn't hide his elation at having the honour of hosting the world's most famous marathoner's African marathon debut. As the leader of Faces, the company who own and operate the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, Gardener said Kipchoge's decision makes perfect sense.

"We are beyond ecstatic, because it's the start of his world tour but also his first marathon in Africa. This is not just about his running this is about African excellence - discipline, determination and consistency. That's what Eluid is known for and those are the values to which we aspire."

When he crosses the finish line at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon 24 May, Kipchoge will become the first recipient of the Abbot World Marathon Major 8-star for completing all 8 Marathon Majors. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Lining up then alongside 26 000 other participants in The Mother City on 24 May will be a pivotal moment in the history of a race which is bidding to become Africa's first Abbot World Marathon Major - especially after last year's cancellation. Gardener revealed that if he is to finish the event which currently enjoys provisional World Marathon Major status, then Kipchoge and all the other 42km finishers will be retrospectively award with the official marathon major medal star, making Kipchoge the first 8-star marathon major holder.

"We will work hard together to make sure Cape Town becomes a major and that we have a big, big marathon in Africa. What I like more about Cape Town is the culture of running. I stayed for 4 days when I was there last year and I ran with more than 1000 people at 5am in the morning. South Africa is a beautiful country. It's a sporting country with rugby and running. Cape Town is a sporting city in Africa that's why I'm starting my marathon World Tour in Cape Town."