Eliud Kipchoge’s Heartwarming Pledge: 50% of NYC Marathon Prize to Empower Kenyan Kids’ Dreams
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the athletics world and melting hearts globally, marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has announced a groundbreaking charitable commitment ahead of his highly anticipated debut at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. The 40-year-old Kenyan icon, widely hailed as the GOAT of distance running, declared that if he claims victory on November 2, he will donate a staggering 50% of his $103,000 winner’s prize straight to underprivileged children in his hometown of Kapsisiywa, Kenya. These young talents, bursting with passion for athletics but shackled by poverty, could finally lace up proper shoes and chase their Olympic dreams.
Kipchoge dropped this bombshell during a virtual press conference from his training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, where he shared, “Running isn’t just about crossing finish lines for me anymore—it’s about building bridges for the next generation. These kids in my village run barefoot on dusty paths, dreaming of tracks like the one I’ll race in New York. If I win, half that prize goes to scholarships, gear, and coaching so they can compete without limits.” The statement, confirmed by his team and the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, aligns perfectly with his lifelong mission to foster education, health, and environmental stewardship for Kenyan youth.
This isn’t Kipchoge’s first rodeo in philanthropy. Through his foundation launched in 2021, he’s already built libraries in every Kenyan county, planted thousands of trees to combat climate change, and partnered with initiatives like the Good Hope Kenya Run, where winners donate 15% of prizes for community wells. But this NYC pledge? It’s next-level generosity. At a time when Kipchoge is eyeing his elusive Six Star Medal—capping majors in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and now New York—fans are buzzing about how his potential windfall could transform lives. Imagine: training kits, nutrition programs, and travel funds for dozens of aspiring runners who mirror the humble beginnings that propelled Kipchoge from milking cows to sub-two-hour marathon glory.
The reaction has been electric. On social media, #KipchogeGivesBack is trending worldwide, with over 500,000 posts in 24 hours praising his selflessness. “Eliud isn’t just running for records; he’s sprinting toward a better world,” tweeted one fan, while Kenyan media outlets like TUKO.co.ke hail it as “a beacon for Africa’s youth.” Even rivals like Sifan Hassan, debuting alongside him in NYC, chimed in: “Eliud’s heart runs faster than his legs—inspiring us all.”
As Kipchoge preps for the Big Apple—his first NYC start after a 9th in Sydney and 6th in London this year—the stakes feel higher than ever. Beyond the elite field stacked with 51 Olympians, this race symbolizes legacy. Win or not, his gesture spotlights athletics’ power for social good. For those kids in Kapsisiywa, Kipchoge’s words echo louder than any PB: “No human is limited—not by money, not by doubt.”
Will this fuel Kipchoge to a historic NYC triumph? One thing’s certain: whether he podiums or not, he’s already won the hearts of millions. Stay tuned as the marathon world watches—and runs—with him.
