Eliud Kipchoge has opened up about his new training methods ahead of the 2025 London Marathon, set for 27 April.

The 40-year-old Kenyan marathoner became the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours, setting a time of 1:59:40 in October 2019.

As per the Independent, Kipchoge explained that he follows a balanced running program that includes endurance, speed, and tempo work.

“I have a well-balanced running programme that focuses on endurance, speed and tempo,” Kipchoge said.

As he prepares for the coming marathon, the marathon maestro does one long run each week.

In a training run for the upcoming 2025 showdown, shared via his Coros Pace 3, the greatest of all time ran 40km in 2 hours and 13 minutes—an average pace of 3 minutes and 21 seconds per kilometre, with a step rate of 181 steps per minute.

Kipchoge explained that the long run is an important part of his marathon training because it helps both his body and mind prepare for the race.

The long run is key to my marathon training, as it helps both my body and mind get ready to handle the distance,” Kipchoge told the Independent.

He said it helps get his body used to the effort needed and gives him the experience to push harder.

The world’s greatest marathoner also emphasized that his long run is less about speed and more about paying attention to how his body feels.

“For me, a successful long run means feeling strength in my legs, being able to push hard with my teammates, and focusing on the rhythm of my breathing. It's about putting in the miles to build strength, not rushing to the finish.”

Away from running, Kipchoge says that good nutrition, strength training, recovery, and working on his mindset are all important factors that have contributed to his success in marathon running.

According to Kipchoge, strength and core exercises, along with stretching, are essential for maintaining a healthy body.

As part of his routine, he follows a nutritious diet, takes ice baths, and gets massages to keep his body in top shape.

“To keep my body healthy, I focus on strength and core training, as well as stretching,” Kipchoge said. “I also take ice baths, get massages, and eat a balanced diet that helps strengthen my body.”

Completing the list of key elements that have sustained his marathon career is rest. The star athlete said he makes time to relax during the day and ensures he gets enough sleep.

He also enjoys reading, having fun, and spending quality time talking with his teammates, family, and friends.

"Rest is important for the body, so I make sure to relax during the day and get enough sleep," Kipchoge said. "I like to read, enjoy myself, and have meaningful conversations with my teammates, family, and friends to keep my mind balanced and happy.

According to the London Marathon event, in the last marathon held in 2020, Kipchoge finished in 8th place.

This ended his winning streak, which had lasted from 2015 to 2019. His poor performance was partly due to an ear infection.

had earlier reported on the reason Kipchoge will be participating in the upcoming Sydney Marathon, scheduled to take place in Australia this August.

The Sydney Marathon selected Kipchoge to headline their first-ever event as a major, aiming to mark the occasion and attract other elite runners to the field.

Source: TUKO.co.ke