"Boston: It's Time."

Eliud Kipchoge is arguably the most decorated, popular, and speedy marathoner in history. With a pair of Olympic golds, a world record, and ten Abbott World Marathon Majors wins to his name, Kipchoge now turns to a new challenge: Boston. Kipchoge aims to become the 17th Kenyan to earn the men’s open division title, yet knows it will take much preparation and determination to claim the olive wreath on April 17. “Boston has been in front of my mind for all of my career,” he said.

Just before the new year, as he was beginning training for Patriots' Day, Kipchoge shared his thoughts on tackling Boston in 2023.

On running Boston for the first time: I'm really grateful to participate in the 2023 Boston Marathon, the 127th. To be at the finish line, celebrating and sending good vibes, especially after what's happened the last ten years. Remembering what's happened ten years ago, I want to be among those people to spread positivity, who want the world to live in a peaceful way, in a united way. This world is our only home, we don't have another home, and we need to take care of it by being positive and taking care of humanity.

On Boston's notorious hills: I want to experience it. Until I experience it, I will not change my training. But I trust my training [will be] undulating… The next four months I think I'll be fit enough to go through the Boston route and to encounter the up and down situations in Boston. It's good to experience hills. I have been running on mostly the fat courses in Europe. And why not? Why not run in Boston and experience another chapter of running up-and-down, and experience the sweetness of actually running through a hill and down it?

Eliud Kipchoge:

On the Kenyan legacy in Boston: To me it means a lot. To come to Boston, win Boston, go home, celebrate the win in Boston. To have a good chance to perform well, for us as Kenyans and powerful as human beings, to be in the history books of Boston as a winner.

On the 2:03:02 Course Record: My plan is not really to run a course record or anything else. My plan, I only see myself winning. If I win with a course record, I will be happy. If I win with a good time, I will be happy. If I win with any time I will be in the history books as a winner. I want to win.

On why his goal is all six Abbott World Marathon Majors:

It's really crucial and important to complete the six, and to win all of them. Reason number one is I want to get that six star World Marathon Majors medal. That's a crucial medal.

On the strength of this year's field: I know the race will not be easy. It'll be my hardest race ever. I'm happy for [past champions Evans Chebet, Benson Kipruto, and Lelisa Desisa] to be there. The most prepared man will take the day on the 17th of April.

On what makes Boston different: This chapter actually has a rich history. It's the oldest – 127 years. Imagine starting in 1897, the 19th century to 20th century to now we're in the 21st century. How important is that marathon? It's very important. It's good for me to put my foot on that road. It'll be good to actually run and win in the

21st century, and be with the other 126 winners in the book.

Boston is important, and I admire all of the champions, especially the older ones who ran Boston over 100 years ago. I can't name them, but I admire all of them and respect them. To say that this is the marathon course that promotes humanity, it has such a rich history as human beings are concerned, and promotion of fitness. When you are training in university, they give you the power to read and write. In Boston, they have been giving people the power to be ft for the last 126 years. How important is that!

On what's next:

I always chase one rabbit at a time. I'm really chasing this rabbit called Boston Marathon. Until I cross the line, I won't go for another thing.