Marathon legend, 39, retires from Olympics 2024 race with classy gesture & gives fans shoes before taking taxi to finish

ELIUD KIPCHOGE gave his shoes to a fan as he retired from the Olympic marathon in style.

The 39-year-old is widely regarded as one of the best long distance runners of all-time.

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Eluid Kipchoge stopped and waited for his rival to overtake him[/caption]

He gave his shoes to a fan and then jumped into a van

AFP

Kipchoge confirmed it was his last ever Olympics appearance[/caption]

Kipchoge won Olympic marathon gold at the last two Games and was looking to become the first man to win the title three consecutive times.

The Kenyan led the race for the first six miles before slipping to the back of field.

Then after 19 miles, Kipchoge surprisingly stopped and allowed last place Ser-Od Bat-Ochir to overtake him.

He then whipped off his shoes and handed them to a young fan as supporters lining the streets cheered.

Kipchoge was then picked up by a van and driven to the finish line in what could be his final ever race.

Fans praised his classy exit, with one saying: “That memento from the GOAT. Some lucky fan.”

Another added: “Forever a legend.”

A third commented: “Kenya is grateful for all you’ve given to athletics.”

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On potentially hanging up his running shoes for good, Kipchoge confirmed his career would not stretch as long as LA 2028.

He revealed: “You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation, but I will not run.

“I don’t know what next. I need to go back home, sit down, try to figure my 21 years of running at high level. I need to evolve and feature in other things.

“It is a difficult time for me. This is my worst marathon. I have never done a DNF. That’s life.

“Like a boxer, I have been knocked down, I have won, I have come second, eighth, tenth – now I did not finish.”