“This is the Best Win of my Life,” Eliud Kipchoge on His Historic Marathon Win

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge looked unstoppable in the Olympic Men’s Marathon as he comfortably won in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 44 seconds.

Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia came in second 70 seconds later, and America’s Galen Rupp came in third for the bronze.

The 31-year-old moved up to the marathon distance just three years ago from 5,000m where he had already won 2 medals in 2004 and 2008. Kipchoge has dominated the marathon world ever since winning seven out of the eight marathons he entered.

Kipchoge was the clear favorite coming into the race despite missing the 2012 games. The other favorite, the Ugandan defending champion, Steven Kiprotich couldn’t keep up when a bunch of runners started breaking away at the 25 km mark.

Among them, Kipchoge got out even further until it appeared like he was running all by himself in the final kilometers.

Speaking after the race, Kipchoge said, “It was a bit slow, so I decided to take over, I was coming here for gold.”

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It feels great. I felt I had a little bit in the tank, and it was comfortable, it was very comfortable. This is the best win of my life.”[/perfectpullquote]

This win comes after teammate Jemima Jelagat Sumgong won the women’s Marathon on Saturday. Kenya becomes the first nation to win both the male and female Marathons.

Kipchoge’s win also means it’s the third straight year the Kenyans have made it to the podium after taking bronze in 2012 and Gold in 2008.

Featured Photo: Kipchoge Crossing the Finish Line to Win The Men’s Marathon (Photo Courtesy: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images South America)