Eliud Kipchoge: How Catholic Belief and Late Pope Francis Shaped the Greatest Marathoner of All Time

Kenyan-born, historic feats on the marathon track were often grounded in faith.

One spiritual connection that stood quietly but firmly behind his journey is his profound reverence for the

The Catholic world is mourning the death of Pope Francis who passed on 21st April 2025. Memories are flowing from every corner of the globe from grand basilicas in Rome to humble chapels in Kenya’s highlands.

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Kenyans and Catholics , a man not only known for his speed but also for his spiritual depth.

Kipchoge’s historic INEOS 1:59 Challenge became a moment of divine alignment, with his departure from Kenya falling on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7, 2019.

Leading up to the event, the athlete’s community in Nandi County gathered for prayer and Masses, invoking blessings on one of their own.

«The entire family is Catholic and from the family, it (Eliud’s victory) was a moment of joy and jubilation, with a summary of: God fulfills His promise,” Kipchoge’s cousin, Fr. Kennedy Kipchumba toldthat day.

Fr. Kipchumba the one who led the post-race Mass at St. Peter’s Kapsisiwa, described the gathering as one of profound gratitude.

“Everybody came to Church, to say thank you to God. We celebrated Mass to thank God… we were also joined by the Deputy Governor of Nandi County, area Member of Parliament, among other local leaders,» he said.

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What the world witnessed in Vienna was a feat of science, strategy, and athletic brilliance—but for Kipchoge’s family and his spiritual community, it was prayer that carried him across the line.

His mother, Janeth Rotich, a devoted Catholic, was quoted saying, “I wake up at 3 a.m. every day to pray for Kipchoge. I pray the rosary.”

Kipchoge’s departure for Vienna came on October 7, the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. That day, prayers were held at St. Paul’s University Catholic Church in Nairobi where Kipchoge, known to worship “discreetly,” was embraced as a spiritual brother by the youth.

“Kipchoge is a friend of students’ choir at St. Paul’s University Chapel. Last Sunday we had Mass celebration for Eliud Kipchoge,” Fr. Peter Kaigua said.

“The University acted as (Kipchoge’s) Spiritual Pace Setter. His winning is a sign that prayer for young people has been answered.”

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The parallels between Kipchoge and Pope Francis are striking—both humble, disciplined, driven by service, and rooted in a belief that God calls every individual to push beyond perceived limits.

Kipchoge’s mantra, “ echoed deeply with Francis’s papacy that encouraged people to “go to the peripheries” and live lives of bold witness.

“Faith is the sum of truth revealed by God… one sees faith in action in the desire he had proclaimed of winning,” Fr. Alex Okware concluded.