Millions Eliud Kipchoge Bagged After Winning 5th Berlin Marathon

As though that was not enough, Kipchoge will be smiling all the way to the bank after winning the 42-kilometer Berlin Marathon in Germany.

Thanks to his GOAT performance, Kipchoge will walk away with Ksh7.3 million ($50,000), which is usually the prize money for the winners of the race, both male and female.

The athlete however missed out on Ksh4.3 million in bonuses given to athletes who surpassed the record time of 2:01:09 Kipchoge had set last year.

However, he is set to receive an unspecified amount in millions despite also missing out on the Ksh5 million reward President William Ruto promised to every athlete who breaks a record.

100m sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala was rewarded Ksh2 million by the Head of State for his great performance despite missing out on a world record in June.

Generally, the BMW Berlin Marathon rewards a total of Ksh26 million to winners in the male and female race categories, with male and female winners pocketing Ksh4.6 million (160,000 Euros) each on top of the bonuses awarded to record breakers.

Speaking to the press in Berlin, Kipchoge noted that he anticipated to break the world record set in 2022, but termed it as a learning lesson, setting his focus now on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

"I was expecting (to break the world record) but it has not come as I expected and that is how sports is. I have learned lessons.

"I was in good shape but I got some hiccups but it’s normal in a race. I have won but I did not break the world record. It’s a learning process and the focus is putting experience that in next year’s Paris Olympics," stated Kipchoge.

Vincent Kipkemboi who was making his marathon debut, emerged second behind Kipchoge after clocking 2:03:13. Ethiopian Tadese Takele secured third place with a time of 2:03:24, while Amos Kipruto, who had been a potential challenger to Kipchoge, crossed the finish line in fourth position. 

With the win, Kipchoge has cemented his place as the best athlete in the Berlin Marathon. He clinched the race in 2017 setting a time of 2:03:32 and then broke the record in 2018 with a time of 2:01:39, breaking it again in 2022.

Kipchoge's feat was celebrated by several Kenyan leaders, with President William Ruto terming Kipchoge "our limitless star", having competed in 19 marathons and losing just 3.