Eliud Kipchoge, the esteemed Kenyan marathon champion, and Olympic gold medalist, received a prestigious tribute from his sponsor, Nike, the world’s foremost athletic footwear and apparel provider.
On October 27, 2023, Nike inaugurated the Eliud Kipchoge Track at its European Headquarters in the Netherlands and unveiled his statue at the company’s headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. These remarkable gestures serve as fitting honors to Kipchoge’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest marathon runners in history.
Expressing his gratitude on his Instagram page, Kipchoge remarked, “Monday was a special celebration as we unveiled the Eliud Kipchoge Track at the Nike European Headquarters in the Netherlands, while at the same time, Nike revealed a statue of me at the headquarters in Beaverton. Thank you, Nike, for the great partnership; together we run as one.”
Kipchoge’s association with Nike dates back two decades, and he fondly acknowledged, “20 years ago, Nike and I became partners in running. Since 2003, Nike has played a crucial role in my career, providing inspiration and innovation. Together, we have brought these elements to every athlete in the world.”
Eliud Kipchoge, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time, boasts an impressive track record. He is a two-time Olympic marathon champion (in 2016 and 2020) and previously held the world marathon record with a remarkable time of 2:01:09, established at the 2022 Berlin Marathon. His record was recently eclipsed by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, where Kiptum completed the race in an astonishing 2:00:35. Kipchoge also claims five of the nine fastest marathons in history.
Furthermore, Kipchoge is a four-time London Marathon champion and is famously known for his unofficial achievement of completing a marathon in under two hours during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in 2019. He has also officially broken the marathon world record twice, achieving his fastest time of 2:01:09 in Berlin.
Nike, Inc. stands as the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, as well as a prominent manufacturer of sports equipment. The company’s headquarters are situated near Beaverton, Oregon, in the United States. Initially established as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, it officially adopted the name Nike, Inc. in 1971.
