For more than two decades, Eliud Kipchoge ran with history on his back and won almost everything there was to win.
He rewrote what the human body was believed capable of and became, by near-universal agreement, the greatest marathon runner ever.
Now the 41-year-old says the chase for medals and validation is over.
“What I am doing is not retiring,” he says. “I am evolving. I am running for purpose.”
Kipchoge plans to take his running to the edges of the world with the Eliud Kipchoge World Tour – not to prove his greatness, but to give it away.
Over the next two and a half years, the two-time Olympic champion will complete a marathon on all seven continents.
“Running is the most universal sport,” he tells Newsday on the BBC World Service.
“It connects us all. With this project, I want to compete not only for records, but for the people.
“I want to inspire, to give back, and to remind everyone that no human is limited.”
To understand the significance of this moment, it helps to understand the magnitude of Kipchoge’s success.
As well as those Olympic titles, Kipchoge’s honours have included a world title, 11 World Marathon Major victories and two official world records.
In one of sport’s most impressive feats, he became the first person to break the two-hour marathon barrier under special conditions in Vienna in 2019, clocking an unofficial time of one hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds.
“If I look at the last 23 years, the highlight was making history,” he says.
“Not winning medals, not even breaking world records, but opening the minds of people around the world to believe that they are not limited in anything they are doing.”
That belief has become the anchor of his next chapter.
The tour will operate under Eliud’s Running World, a long-term platform designed to promote participation in running while supporting global causes.
Each marathon will raise funds for the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation, which focuses on education, environmental sustainability and health.
Kipchoge hopes to raise $1m (£739,000) at every stop, with projects tailored to local needs.
In Kenya, his vision includes building libraries across all 47 counties. In other cities, he wants the tour to leave behind tangible benefits, not just memories.
“I want to leave a legacy of education,” Kipchoge said.