Kenenisa Bekele toed the line at Paris 2024's men's marathon on 10 August, 2024. It's likely his final appearance at the Summer Games as a competitor, but in time to come, we'll undoubtedly see him at other major races, pushing the limits of what we deem possible as runners.

"At my age it's still possible to run a faster time"

Part of the 81 athletes that took on the demanding route, 436m↗, 438m↘ and with its steepest gradient of 13.5%—Bekele finished in 2:12:24 and 39th overall.

One season ends

The fairy tale ending to a generation of legendary distance runners would have been Bekele and Kipchoge matching one another amongst the race's lead group stride for stride one last time against the stunning backdrop of Paris with exuberant fans lining the streets and cheering them on.

While the fairy tale marathon didn't pan out for either Bekele, Kipchoge or their fans, it illustrated why the global running community continues to grow. While only the elites chase world records, every runner, elite or average, runs for personal bests in many ways, shapes and forms. Whether they gauge it by time, distance, health or other measurements, every runner will be challenged similarly.

The early mornings, long runs, intervals, fatigue, aches and pains, injury and self-doubt leading to a race, and the route on race day. Everyone runs the same course. And everyone finds some form of joy in the challenge.

Another season begins

Earlier this year, in an interview with Athletics Weekly, Bekele said  "At my age it's still possible to run a faster time. If I don't get injuries and train well then it's possible to run 2:01 again at some point in my career. My energy is good and I'm feeling strong in training.".

At 42, Bekele shows us how to grow with the sport of running. He keeps moving through the highs and lows, from the track to the road and across various distances—proof that you can keep challenging yourself through running, no matter your age—if you keep moving.

By Matthew Leu