Eliud Kipchoge offers to mentor Alex Yee for Briton’s first London Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge has revealed his admiration for Britain’s triathlon gold medallist Alex Yee – and says he wants to meet and help mentor the Team GB star when they both run the London Marathon in April.

The 40-year-old Kipchoge insists he can still compete with the world’s best when he runs in London for the first time since 2020, despite getting injured when bidding for his third Olympic marathon title.

But one of his ambitions while in London is to also meet Yee, who memorably won triathlon gold in the final few strides in Paris after a blistering comeback.

“I’d love to know him more,” admitted Kipchoge. “I’d like to meet him before the race and share the lives we live. I’ll give my time when I’m in London to sit with him and share a meal, have a coffee.”

Yee has previously said that Kipchoge is his favourite athlete, and has also talked about how he hopes to inspire the next generation. That is something that has clearly struck a chord with Kipchoge, who wants to work with the triathlete to help get more people active.

“I’ll share with him what I believe, tell him what I believe about running and why running will actually help the whole world,” said Kipchoge. “The discussion will be about humanity, about the love of sport that is running. How are we going to sell the sport of running? I think it will be a pure discussion. I’m looking forward to it.”

Eliud Kipchoge has not run in London since 2020. Photograph: John Sibley/PA

Asked if he had any tips for Yee before he tackles 26.2 miles rather than his usual swim, bike and run, Kipchoge added: “My advice is get to the starting line, start the race, enjoy. Make sure to train very well and enjoy the distance.”

Kipchoge faces a stacked field in London that includes his compatriots Sabastian Sawe, who ran 2:02:05 on his debut in Valencia, and Timothy Kiplagat, who has also run under 2:03. However he dropped a hint that he might be close to retirement when asked whether the race might be his last dance. “I will speak more when I finish the marathon,” he said.

“In Africa we say we are chasing one rabbit at a time. This rabbit in front of me is the London marathon. That’s purely what all my mind, my heart, my energy is on. After that I’ll make a new announcement. Keep watching.”

Meanwhile a stacked women’s field will include the world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, the Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and last year’s London Marathon winner Peres Jepchirchir.