Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge wearing Omius cooling headband

Kipchoge’s Omius Headband: The Cooling Gear Stealing Spotlight

/ Leave a Comment / Gears, Olympics, Running /

Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon legend, had an unexpected twist to his Olympic Marathon 2024 journey. On a day that saw him bow out at the 30K mark, clutching his side in visible discomfort, one couldn’t help but notice a curious new accessory perched on his head.

The two-time Olympic champion, who later cited back pain as the reason for his early exit, was spotted wearing something that had heads turning—an Omius cooling headband. This sleek, futuristic-looking piece of gear wasn’t just a fashion statement; it was a strategic move to combat the warmth of Paris, where temperatures flirted with the high 60s under sunny skies.

Eliud Kipchoge wearing Omius cooling headband

But Kipchoge wasn’t the only elite athlete to don the Omius headband that day. Bashir Abdi, who claimed the silver medal, wore it during his race, though he removed it for the awards ceremony. Abdi Nageeye, the Tokyo Games silver medalist, also sported it before dropping out of the Paris race. Clearly, this cooling accessory was catching on among the top-tier marathoners.

So, what makes this headband so special? According to the Omius website, the technology works by leveraging water evaporation to cool the skin. The headband’s cooling effect kicks in when sweat is absorbed into the small squares on its front. As the water evaporates from these squares, it pulls heat away from the skin, keeping the wearer cool as long as the squares remain wet and have airflow across them.

Eliud Kipchoge wearing Omius cooling headband

Priced at around $200, the Omius cooling headband is certainly an investment. But if it can help athletes like Kipchoge stay cool under pressure, it might be worth every penny for those chasing their own big goals.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Olympic-level athletes sporting the Omius headband. Brian Pintado, the men’s 20K race walk champion from Ecuador, wore it during his winning performance last week. American marathoner Aliphine Tuliamuk was also seen trying out a visor version at February’s Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando, Florida.

As Kipchoge’s Olympic career possibly draws to a close, his choice of gear in this race might just set a new trend for endurance athletes worldwide. Whether the Omius headband becomes a staple in marathon gear remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: it’s already made its mark on the biggest stage in sports.

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Eliud Kipchoge last marathon in paris olympics 2024

Eliud Kipchoge: A Legend’s Last Marathon at the Olympics

/ 1 Comment / News, Olympics /

In a moment that stunned the world, Eliud Kipchoge, the undisputed king of marathon running, took an unexpected exit from the Olympic stage in Paris. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, revered for his unparalleled consistency and determination, found himself facing a challenge he couldn’t overcome. In what he described as his “worst marathon,” Kipchoge made the heart-wrenching decision to step off the course after 31 kilometers, marking the end of an era.

Eliud Kipchoge wearing Omius cooling headband
Photo: nnrunningteam

At 39 years old, Kipchoge entered the race with hopes of making history by securing a third consecutive Olympic gold. But as the miles ticked by, it became clear that this day was not his. Despite being in the leading pack early on, Kipchoge began to fall behind, eventually slipping a minute behind the frontrunners by the halfway point. The discomfort around his waist, which he later revealed, forced him to make a decision that no athlete ever wants to make.

As he slowed down, Kipchoge made a gesture that will be remembered forever—he handed his shoes, socks, and bib to the cheering fans along the roadside, a symbolic passing of the torch from a legend to the people who have supported him throughout his career. The crowd’s applause was deafening as he climbed into an Olympic van, marking perhaps the last time we’ll see the Kenyan superstar on the Olympic stage.

Eliud Kipchoge last marathon in olympics
Photo: nnrunningteam

“This is my worst marathon. I have never done a DNF (did not finish). That’s life,” Kipchoge admitted with the grace and humility that has defined his career. “Like a boxer, I have been knocked down, I have won, I have come second, eighth, 10th, fifth – now I did not finish. That’s life.”

Kipchoge’s decision to bow out was a somber reminder that even the greatest athletes are not immune to the challenges of the sport. Yet, in typical Kipchoge fashion, he remained optimistic about the future, even if it means leaving the Olympic track behind. “You will see me in a different way, maybe giving people motivation, but I will not run,” he said when asked about his plans for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

As the Olympic van carried him away, Kipchoge’s legacy was already cemented—not just as the only man to win the Olympic marathon twice, but as the athlete who redefined what it means to push the limits of human endurance. His record-breaking sub-two-hour marathon, although unofficial, stands as a testament to his extraordinary talent and unyielding spirit.

Eliud Kipchoge last marathon in olympics

Ethiopian Tamirat Tola ultimately claimed gold with an Olympic record time of 2:06:26, a remarkable achievement that added another chapter to the rich history of Olympic marathons. But the spotlight, as always, lingered on Kipchoge—a legend who, even in defeat, inspired millions around the world.

As Kipchoge steps back to reflect on his 21 years of running at the highest level, one thing is certain: his impact on the sport will resonate for generations to come. “I need to evolve and feature in other things,” he said, hinting at a future that, while uncertain, promises to be as impactful as his illustrious running career.

Eliud Kipchoge’s Olympic journey may have come to an end, but his influence on the world of marathon running will endure, reminding us all that greatness is not just about victories, but about how one faces the toughest moments.

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Eliud Kipchoge Breaks His Own World Record At Berlin Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge breaks his own world record at Berlin marathon

/ Leave a Comment / News, Running /

The two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has bettered his own world record by 30 seconds at the Berlin Marathon. The Kenyan star clocked a time of two hours, one minute and nine seconds to beat his previous men’s world record time of 2:01:39 set on the same course in 2018.

Kipchoge has now won 15 of his 17 career marathons, including two Olympic titles and 10 major championships. Eliud Kipchoge breaks men’s marathon world record by 30 seconds in Berlin Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya reinforced his reputation as arguably the best marathoner when he broke his own world record by 30 seconds at the Berlin Marathon. The 37-year-old Kenyan’s 2:01:09 was a significant improvement on his 2:01:39 in Berlin four years ago. In the first 2 kilometers, Kipchoge was helped by Noah Kipkemboi and Moses Koech, who ran at their pace.

A happy Eliud said: “No limits, after 38k I knew I could break the world record. The conditions were excellent, as was the organization of the event. I am very happy with today and I am impressed with the fans and their support”.

Before Sunday’s marathon, it was expected that Kipchoge would officially enter the record books as the first marathon under two hours. Kipchoge’s course and class seemed possible, but this time it was not.
The Berlin Marathon course is considered the fastest in the world because of its flat, smooth course. Kipchoge’s record on Sunday was the 12th time the marathon world record has been set in Berlin. Three of them were women.

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