When GOAT Kipchoge met Kolisi: ‘Siya is a true legend’
Eliud Kipchoge (left), the legendary marathon runner, met South African Rugby captain Siya Kolisi (right) in Cape Town, praising him as a true legend and inspiration for his community work and achievements. Picture: Eliud Kipchoge/Facebook
Image: Eliud Kipchoge/Facebook
Although Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge was the headline name at the Cape Town Marathon last week, the legendary athlete was in South Africa for more than just running.
In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Kipchoge revealed that he made time to meet Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.
Kipchoge is widely regarded as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) marathon runner, but his all-out racing days seem to be behind the 41-year-old.
Following his 16th-place finish at the race on Sunday, Kipchoge stayed on in Cape Town.
Kipchoge Meets Siya Kolisi: A Meeting of Legends Inspires Across Continents
“Yesterday I met Siya Kolisi, the captain of the South African Rugby team. I can say Siya is a true legend and a real inspiration on and off the field. He shows that no matter where you come from or what your background is, you can achieve great things in life through hard work, belief, and determination,” said Kipchoge in his post on Facebook along with a number of photos with Kolisi.
“The work Siya is doing in communities across Africa, not only through rugby but also through the incredible work of the @kolisi_foundation, brings hope to so many people. Thank you for the great morning Siya, I am truly inspired by you, and I’m glad to say I can call you a friend now.”
When Kipchoge won his last major title at the Berlin Marathon in 2023, it meant he had triumphed in 16 of his first 19 marathons.
That run of victories included two Olympic titles, as well as the world record from 2018 to 2023.
His personal best (PB) of 2:01:09, which he set in 2022, has since been lowered twice - now to a previously unthinkable time of 1:59:30 by countryman Sebastian Sawe.