By Eldoret Leo 
Legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge has opened up about his humble beginnings, painful moments in his career, and his mission to transform lives through sport during a candid conversation at the Engage Talk.
Speaking during the event, the marathon icon reflected on his childhood growing up in a single-parent household raised by his mother.
According to Kipchoge, life was not easy and families led by single mothers often faced stigma and lack of respect within the community.
He revealed that his mother worked extremely hard to provide for the family, brewing and selling traditional alcohol to make ends meet.
Despite selling alcohol, Kipchoge said his mother never drank it. Instead, she had a unique method of testing its quality.
“She would pour a little into the fire and judge the flame,” he explained, noting that the small business helped sustain the family during difficult times.
Kipchoge also revisited one of the lowest moments in his life following the tragic death of fellow marathon star Kelvin Kiptum.
In the days that followed, conspiracy theories and accusations spread widely on social media, with some people attempting to link him to the tragedy.
The marathon champion said the backlash was intense and included threats directed at him and his family.
At the time, his wife had to change how their children went to school. Instead of biking as they usually did, she began personally dropping them off and picking them up to ensure their safety.
Kipchoge admitted the period broke him emotionally, but he eventually recovered in 2024.
Reflecting on the experience, Kipchoge urged people to be genuine and avoid living double lives.
He encouraged individuals to speak their minds honestly rather than pretending to support others while acting differently behind the scenes.
The marathon legend also shared his broader vision beyond competition.
Kipchoge said his goal is to change lives through running and sport by inspiring young people to believe in discipline, hard work and integrity.
For him, running is not just about winning races but about creating opportunities and motivating others to pursue better futures.
Robert Mutasi